The Malta FA Executive Board has approved the distribution of UEFA Solidarity Payments for the 2023/24 season. The proceeds emanate from UEFA Club competitions and are distributed to clubs in support of youth development.

In the meeting on Tuesday 17th December 2024, the Board approved the distribution model of these UEFA Solidarity Payments, totalling €1.08 million.

Circa €400,000 of these funds will be distributed to clubs competing in the BOV Challenge League, IZIBET Amateur Leagues 1 and 2, the Gozo FA, and recreational leagues. The distribution of these funds follow a number of established criteria, mainly the level of nursery licensing, thus ensuring that the entire football pyramid benefits.

These Solidarity Payments will be the last ones under the 2021-24 competition cycle. UEFA has since approved a new solidarity distribution scheme for the 2024-27 cycle, which will see a significant increase in the amounts available and new criteria for their distribution, limiting it to clubs in the top tier (Premier League) and up to 15% to clubs in the second tier (Challenge League). The new solidarity distribution comes with more oversight and compliance linked to club licensing criteria.

The new distribution comes after a renewed MOU was signed between UEFA and ECA in September 2023, thus building their long-standing partnership up until 2033.

The revamped agreement aligns the cooperative efforts of both organisations with the evolving landscape of the men’s and women’s international match calendar and the forthcoming structural changes to men’s UEFA club competitions, effective from the 2024/25 season that will bring more opportunities for more clubs, but also for players and supporters alike, while keeping the pyramid open and democratic.

Solidarity Payments for Women’s Football

A similar scheme is in place for Women’s Football clubs, with proceeds coming from the UEFA Women’s Champions League and a portion from the UEFA men’s club competitions. In relation to last season, Maltese clubs competing in the Assikura Women’s League will receive €11,000 each in such solidarity. This excludes champions Birkirkara FC, who received their portion of prize money directly by participating in the qualification round for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.