ECA claim each deal guarantees a package of benefits to European clubs that go far beyond the financial, giving clubs a greater say in the governance models of both FIFA and UEFA, while recognising club's important contribution to the success of national team football and the development of football as a whole.

The agreement between FIFA and the ECA - the sole, independent body directly representing football clubs at European level - will see the creation of the FIFA Professional Football Department, composed of FIFA, ECA and player representatives.

The new body will serve as a platform to discuss all matters related to professional football, and will make recommendations to the FIFA Committees.

Any changes to the international match calendar, or the principles of the regulations on the status and transfer of players, will now require explicit consent from ECA, it is claimed. 

Additionally, the benefits for clubs which provide players for the FIFA World Cup will almost treble under the new agreement.

Each supplier for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, in Russia and Qatar respectively, will receive a proportional share of $209 million (£140.1 million/€191.8 million), up from $70 million (£46.9 million/€64.3 million) for the 2014 edition in Brazil.

Last year, 396 clubs affiliated to 57 national associations were allocated a share of the benefits - very similar to the 400 clubs from 55 national associations who got money in 2010.

Bayern Munich, the leading club in Germany, ran out as much the biggest recipient, earning $1,734,367 (£1,160,013/€1,603,029), well over $400,000 (£268,000/€370,000) clear of Spanish giant Real Madrid in second place.

Every club which supplies players for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will receive a proportional share of $209 million ©Getty Images



Meanwhile, ECA has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UEFA until May 31, 2022, securing two seats for ECA club representatives on the UEFA Executive Committee - first as "co-opted" members, then as full members, subject to the revision of the UEFA Statutes in 2016.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, ECA chairman, is set to take up one of the two positions with senior vice-president Umberto Gandini, from AC Milan, possibly joining him.

The UEFA Club Competitions Committee refers directly to the UEFA Executive Committee and will retain a "referral right" on a number of issues affecting clubs or club competitions.

It will also be informed and consulted on marketing and financial matters and be composed exclusively of club representatives.

In the future, the clubs' financial benefits from UEFA European Championships will be calculated as a percentage of the total gross revenue.

In 2020, clubs will receive eight per cent of income from broadcast, commercial and ticketing/hospitality, with the minimum set at €200 million (£146 million/$217.9 million), a €50m (£36.5 million/$54.5 million) increase on the clubs' share of UEFA Euro 2016 revenues.

In response to the ever-growing revenues from the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, ECA and UEFA have together developed a revolutionary club distribution mechanism based on fixed percentages.

A record funding pot of €2.24 billion (£1.64 billion/$2.44 billion) - combining 32 per cent higher UEFA club competition revenues with UEFA finals ticketing and hospitality income - will be divided with a new focus on solidarity.

A record funding pot of €2.24 billion will be divided between clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League ©Getty Images



The key objectives were to reduce the ratio between Champions League and Europa League, to increase the qualifying round share and to revise the leagues' share distribution concept in favour of medium/smaller championships.

The new percentage-based system aims to ensure that every stakeholder will benefit proportionally from the competitions' continued growth in the future.

"I am very pleased that we have extended our partnership with the ECA until 2022," said UEFA President Michel Platini.

"I have always believed that UEFA should work together with National Associations and clubs in order to find the best ideas and solutions for European Football.

"I look forward to seeing our relationship continue to blossom in the future as we make sure that our collective interests are promoted and protected."

Rummenigge added: "Our third Memorandum of Understanding is the beginning of a new era, a long-term cooperation with UEFA, similar to the one with FIFA.

"I would like to thank the UEFA President Michel Platini for sharing our vision of European club football and facilitating this constructive cooperation.

"The ECA is still a very young organisation and these achievements are an extraordinary success, which will strengthen the solidarity among the clubs and our sense of responsibility for football."

The announcement of the agreements with FIFA and UEFA was made at the 14th ECA General Assembly in Stockholm.

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