Everton back Uefa financial plan

Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has backed Uefa's plans to redistribute prize money among clubs in European competition more evenly.

Everton received £400,000 from reaching the last 16 of the Uefa Cup last season, while Champions League winners Manchester United netted £33.9m.

"If the current situation continues, clubs will not be able to compete," Wyness told the club's website.

"The gaps in domestic leagues across Europe will become larger and larger."

European football's governing body is trying to persuade English clubs to accept a smaller chunk of the Champions League pot after it was revealed British clubs made up 26% of the £462m total Champions League television and sponsorship revenues last season.

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Champions League runners-up Chelsea earned £28.7m, while semi-finalists Liverpool scooped £21.1m after beating Arsenal, who made £18.3m, in the last eight.

In comparison, Tottenham and Bolton each earned £352,000 and Aberdeen £265,000 from their Uefa Cup forays.

The figures did not include gate receipts or matchday revenue.

Wyness said a change was necessary to ensure the Premier League remained competitive.

"At Everton our aim is to bridge the gap in the Premier League," Wyness added on the club's website.

"We are well aware there are some imbalances in the revenue distribution which have a negative effect in national leagues "
William Gaillard, Uefa spokesman

"We certainly believe we are moving in the right direction following the progress the team has made over the last few season and are now calling on the football authorities in Europe to aid us in our bid."

Uefa will try to earn the support of the European Strategy Council, the consultative body representing clubs, leagues, players and associations, to implement changes to the revenue structure, which is currently fixed until 2010.

Earlier this month, Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said: "We are well aware there are some imbalances in the revenue distribution which have a negative effect in national leagues by widening the gap between the rich and not so rich.

"We will talk to the clubs and see how they feel, and try to convince them that in the longer run it is not in their interest if, because of the way money is distributed, national leagues become too imbalanced."

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