If missing out on the prestige of the Champions League group stages wasn’t a big enough blow for Rangers this week, missing out on even the Playoffs brings with it its own financial complications.
The Gers are still licking their wounds following that disappointing QR3 exit to Swedish champs Malmo who will now face Bulgarian counterparts Ludogorets for a place in the group stages.
But even if Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side fail to conquer the team who defeated Olympiakos to reach the final stage of qualification, they can take solace in Europa League qualification and a €5m (£4.2m) parachute payment.
As of this season, all six sides who crash out at the Champions League Playoff will receive a share of a new €30m cash boost set aside by UEFA.
Clubs who fall at the final hurdle of Champions League qualification will have that pain soothed by the not insignificant cash boost ahead of the remainder of the campaign.
The €5m parachute payment was outlined in a UEFA letter explaining the financial distributions for all three member competitions.
This comes under rule 1.1.1:
“A total of €30m will be paid out to clubs involved in the UCL play-offs: clubs that are eliminated will each receive a fixed payment of €5m.
“The winners of the play-offs will not receive any specific payment for this round as they will receive payments for participating in the UCL group stage.”
It further highlights the financial implications of Rangers’ untimely collapse against Malmo as the side fell to a 2-1 Ibrox defeat despite being 1-0 up against 10 men at half time.
It may well not be the final blow to Rangers this season as the club faces a draining trip to the edge of Europe no matter who they face in the Europa League Playoff.
