The winner of this year’s Europa League must abide by a little-known condition that UEFA has previously established.
With decisive wins against Athletic Club and Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur secured their spots in the 2024–25 Europa League final, setting up an exciting all-Premier League match on May 21 in Bilbao, Spain.
Some have called for the showpiece to be shifted to a neutral location in England, but if past precedents are any indication, this looks exceedingly improbable. Travel and ticketing issues have already been brought up ahead of the final.
Naturally, winning the competition is a huge accomplishment in and of itself, but Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim will be eager to win their first trophy at their respective clubs in addition to the added incentive of qualifying for the Champions League.
Additionally, there will be stringent regulations for the team that lifts the 15 kg trophy later this month, which is the heaviest piece of UEFA trophies.
The original trophy, which is used for the formal presentation ceremony at the final and at other official events sanctioned by UEFA, is always in UEFA’s possession, according to the organization’s website. The victorious team receives a full-size replica of the UEFA Europa League winners’ trophy.
The rules also state that “replica trophies awarded to competition winners (past and present) must remain within the relevant club’s control at all times and may not leave the club’s country without UEFA’s prior written consent” (in this respect, clubs must comply with any request from the UEFA administration to confirm the location of the club’s replica trophies).
“Clubs must forbid the use of a replica trophy in any way that could bring a third party (such as sponsors and other business partners) into contact with the trophy or the competition, or in any situation where a third party is given visibility.”
50 gold medals will be awarded to the winning team, and 50 silver medals will be given to the runners-up in recognition of their achievements.
The winners will also benefit greatly financially; according to BBC Sport, United may receive an extra £100 million.
Amorim, 40, the head coach of the Red Devils, however, maintained that “money is not the most important thing” following United’s 4-1 (7-1 on aggregate) triumph on Thursday, May 8.
Amorim asserted, “The money is not the most important thing,” “A coach who wins a championship feels like they can accomplish great things and provide something for their supporters.
“I concur that participating in the Champions League next season is not enough. It is the conviction that we can make changes.
xz
