UEFA Payments Head to Hearts and Hibs for International Player Contributions
Hearts and Hibernian are set to receive financial compensation from UEFA through its partnership with the European Club Association (ECA), as part of an agreement that rewards clubs for releasing players for international duty across recent major tournaments.
Both Edinburgh clubs are among several Scottish sides benefiting from a €200 million payout distributed to 901 clubs across 55 European countries. The funding covers player releases for competitions including the postponed Euro 2020, Euro 2024 qualifiers, and UEFA Nations League matches.
Hearts are due a payment of €413,308 (around £354,405), having contributed players such as Zander Clark, Craig Gordon, and Lawrence Shankland to the Scotland national team in recent years. Hibs will collect €69,521 (approximately £59,615), with the likes of Kevin Nisbet and Paul McGinn having been called up during the same period.
Other Scottish clubs also receiving compensation include Celtic and Rangers, with the Glasgow giants earning £882,213 and £442,603 respectively. Motherwell will receive £260,511, followed by Aberdeen (£138,139), St Mirren (£78,476), and Dundee United (£75,323). Smaller sums are set aside for Kilmarnock, Dundee, Livingston, St Johnstone, and Dunfermline, reflecting their respective player contributions to international squads.
Scotland Eyes 2026 World Cup After Nations League Setback
Meanwhile, following Scotland’s recent elimination from the Nations League play-offs at the hands of Greece, head coach Steve Clarke is turning his attention toward preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Friendly matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein in June will serve as warm-ups before the qualifying campaign begins in September.
Scotland kicks off Group C with an away clash against Denmark on 5 September, followed by a trip to Belarus on 8 September. Due to ongoing political sanctions, the Belarus match is likely to be held behind closed doors. The team will then host Greece on 9 October and Belarus on 12 October at Hampden Park.
The campaign wraps up in November, with Scotland traveling to Greece on 15 November before finishing their fixtures at home against Denmark on 18 November.
Clarke, whose contract with the Scottish FA runs until the end of 2026, has expressed his desire to lead the team to the World Cup in North America. “I said last September I’d run down my contract and see what happens,” he recently stated. “If we qualify and do well, maybe I’ll be convinced to stay. Right now, I’m focused on getting this group to America. That’s the goal.”
