UEFA prize money to be cut for five years due to pandemic: report
CGTN

Champions League and Europa League prize money will be reduced over the next five seasons, as Europe's football governing body UEFA grapples with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to reports. 

The Times of London reported that UEFA had informed its member associations that it lost 514 million British pounds ($664 million) following the reduction in both television and sponsorship income after delays in the knockout stages last season, the report said. 

The two competitions were suspended in March when the pandemic wreaked havoc on the global sporting calendar and resumed only in August after the top leagues in Europe wrapped up their respective seasons. 

Football stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the coronavirus pandemic. The photo shows teams lining up before the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Germany and Switzerland in Cologne, October 13, 2020. /VCG

Football stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the coronavirus pandemic. The photo shows teams lining up before the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Germany and Switzerland in Cologne, October 13, 2020. /VCG

The knockout phase was staged behind closed doors at neutral locations and each round's tie was also reduced to a single fixture instead of the usual home-away format. 

Last season's forecast had 1.95 billion euros ($2.3 billion) set aside for the 32 teams in the Champions League group stage. 

The report added that English clubs can expect to see TV and prize money drop by about 4 percent. 

The ongoing pandemic has made tremendous and profound impact on European football, as a number of listed giants hit hard in the stock market recently.

Cristiano Ronaldo's positive COVID-19 result last week prompted Juventus' stock price to dip to a six-month low, while the shares of Manchester United, which boasts most Chinese fans in the world, has dropped by 27 percent from the yearly high back in February, alongside the team's poor performances on the pitch.

(With input from Reuters)