The SFA has welcomed a deal struck with Uefa for the centralisation of commercial rights.
Agreement could net Scottish FA £50million over four years
The Scottish Football Association has welcomed a deal struck with Uefa for the centralisation of commercial rights, believing the agreement offers financial stability in a difficult economic climate.
The mandate, which will take effect from 2014, was achieved last week following a lengthy period of negotiation between European football's governing body and its 53 member associations.
Details of the centralisation scheme were discussed at the Uefa Congress in Paris this week and the next step in the proposals is for Uefa to take the centralised rights to the commercial market.
The new template will be along the same lines as Uefa's commercial deals for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League and will incorporate the Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Reports suggest that the deal will be worth £12.5million per season to the SFA, netting them an impressive, and most welcome, £50million over the course of a four-year deal.
Negotiations
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "It is great news in the current financial climate and, while a lot of work has gone into the negotiations, there is still a lot to be done.
"What we have agreed is a mandate and despite the big, round headline figures in the media this morning, we are not in a position to discuss the terms of the mandate.
"Suffice to say, if the deal is activated in 2014 as expected it will give us flexibility to continue to provide services to all our stakeholders."
Meanwhile, the SFA has reiterated its desire to fight sectarian and discriminatory behaviour in Scottish football.
Michel Platini highlighted sectarianism at Old Firm derbies during a vow to stamp out violence and illegal betting during his next four years as Uefa president.
Endorsed
He also praised the SFA for its efforts to clean up the game and Regan has promised that they will continue to fight that particular cause.
He said: "The Scottish FA condemns all kinds of sectarian and discriminatory behaviour, a view that was endorsed by the president of Uefa, Michel Platini, at the Uefa Convention in Paris this week.
"We are committed to the newly formed Joint Action Group set up by the Scottish Government, the police and all Scottish football authorities to ensure a collective approach to addressing the ongoing problems and will be discussing the matter of sectarianism at the next working group meeting.
"Prior to last weekend's Co-operative Insurance Cup final, I met with representatives from the anti-sectarian charities, Nil By Mouth and Show Bigotry the Red Card, as part of the Scottish FA's plans to help formulate a new series of practical measures that can be implemented to help tackle the issues that continue to arise.
"I also intend meeting with member clubs and the league organisations to seek their assistance in eradicating sectarianism and other forms of unacceptable behaviour from football."
