Scottish Premiership clubs are being urged to prioritize the future of the entire Scottish football pyramid by agreeing to share a portion of the new UEFA solidarity payments with their counterparts in the Championship. The concern is that failing to distribute the funds fairly could widen the growing gap between the top tier and second-tier clubs, potentially creating a “closed shop” at the top of Scottish football.
UEFA Solidarity Payments: A Crucial Opportunity
In March and June 2025, Scotland is set to receive a total of €6.018 million in UEFA solidarity payments—money distributed by UEFA to clubs that miss out on European football, designed to maintain competitive balance across leagues in Europe. These funds are part of a larger pot intended to support clubs outside the elite European competitions, helping to sustain the broader football ecosystem.
How Much Will the Premiership Clubs Receive?
The Premiership clubs are set to receive varying amounts of this solidarity money:
- £1.6 million for clubs such as Dundee, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Ross County, St Johnstone, and St Mirren.
- £1 million for Aberdeen and Dundee United.
- £650,000 for Hearts and Livingston, despite their relegation at the end of the 2023/24 season.
These funds come as a welcome relief for many clubs that face significant financial pressures, but there are concerns that the clubs could hoard the money, leaving the Championship clubs at a disadvantage.
The Call for Fair Distribution
The issue lies in UEFA’s stipulation that top-flight clubs in member nations can distribute the solidarity payments if the total exceeds €3.5 million. While the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) support the idea of distributing a portion of the money to Championship clubs meeting eligibility criteria, many Premiership clubs are under significant financial strain and may be reluctant to share.
Jamie Swinney, the CEO of Falkirk FC, currently leading the Championship, expressed hope that 75% of Premiership clubs would agree to share the funds in a vote scheduled for March. However, he acknowledged that there is a divide among Premiership clubs, and the outcome of the vote remains uncertain.
Financial Disparities in Scottish Football
Currently, 84% of SPFL monies and 100% of UEFA solidarity funds are directed to Premiership clubs, creating a huge financial disparity. For every additional £1 million that enters the SPFL, £840,000 goes to the 12 Premiership clubs. This leaves Championship and lower league clubs struggling to compete.
Swinney argued that this imbalance is damaging to Scottish football, stating that if a portion of the solidarity payments could be redistributed, it would help support the wider game, including youth development, recruitment, and infrastructure.
Falkirk’s Struggle for Sustainability
For clubs like Falkirk, the current financial model presents significant challenges. The club operates with limited resources and has had to scale back its youth academy due to the lack of funding. Swinney emphasized that receiving a share of the solidarity payments could help Falkirk invest in its youth infrastructure, potentially bringing back full academy systems from under-10s to under-18s.
He noted that the £100,000 to £150,000 that Falkirk would need to fully support its youth development could be covered by a share of the solidarity funds. This would alleviate pressure on the first-team budget, making it easier for Falkirk to compete both on and off the pitch.
The Challenge of Promotion
Should Falkirk secure promotion to the Premiership, they face another significant hurdle—the cost of converting their artificial pitch to grass to meet top-flight requirements. The bill for this conversion is estimated at £1.2 million, a sum that could severely impact the club’s ability to compete financially in the Premiership.
This added cost further exacerbates the challenges of competing at the top level, particularly for clubs in the Championship. Swinney warned that the increased financial burden, coupled with a lack of solidarity funds, could make it even harder for second-tier clubs to survive and thrive in the Premiership.
A Turning Point for Scottish Football?
As Scottish football continues to navigate its economic difficulties, the upcoming vote on solidarity payments could prove pivotal. The decision to share the wealth with lower-tier clubs would signal a shift towards greater cooperation and support within the Scottish football pyramid, promoting a more sustainable and competitive environment for all clubs.
Falkirk FC and other Championship clubs are calling for a more equitable distribution of UEFA funds, hoping to level the playing field and ensure that Scottish football remains competitive across all tiers. As the vote approaches, all eyes will be on the Premiership clubs to see if they choose the long-term health of Scottish football over short-term financial concerns.
