FAI set for €12m bonus from Euro 2016 qualification

Securing qualification for next year’s European Championship finals will result in a guaranteed €12m bonus for the financially-stricken FAI, with increments on offer for points and progression.

Uefa’s healthy cash inflows from broadcasting deals have helped increase their prize pot by 50% on the sums received by qualifiers, including Ireland, for the last Euros in 2012. Under the new criteria, each draw earned during the group phase accrues €750,000, a victory secures €1.5m with another €2m on offer for emerging from the four-nation group.

Also set to generate income in the run-up to next June’s tournament are the two friendly matches, including a send-off game to France.