Replicate the performance at Euro 2012 and the Republic of Ireland will still bank €8million.
If Martin O’Neill’s men win the tournament, beating our three group competitors into the bargain, then the FAI will receive a cool €27m.
Okay, so the second scenario may be unlikely for a team in Pot 4 who managed not a single point in Poland, but how John Delaney and the bean counters at the FAI would love the Boys in Green to improve on the dismal campaign of Giovanni Trapattoni’s side in 2012.
Ahead of Saturday’s draw, Uefa have released details of the prize money on offer and for every group stage game a team wins their national association will receive €1m. Even a draw was beyond Trap’s lads in 2012, but one of those is worth €500,000, while simply qualifying has already earned the FAI €8m.
Should we enter the uncharted territory of the European Championships knockout stages the reward is €1.5m, quarter-finalists get €2.5m, while each of the four semi-finalists will automatically pocket €4m.
The winners take home €8m, while the losing finalists leaving with nothing €5m.
Here’s to a profitable summer.
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