Reading FC will receive a share of a £61.1m fund released by UEFA aimed at helping clubs financially though the current indefinite suspension of football as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The organisation have set aside the funds for clubs with international players at European level.

The clubs would have received money if a player had represented their country in the European Championships which were set to be held across the continent after the conclusion of the current domestic season this summer.

With the tournament suspended for a year, UEFA have decided to release these funds early in order to support clubs during such an uncertain time. 

UEFA released the following statement, saying: "The UEFA Executive Committee today decided to release immediately the club benefit payments related to the clubs' contribution to UEFA national team competitions in light of the current crisis and the financial difficulties many clubs are facing across Europe.

"Such payments were originally scheduled to be released on completion of the European Qualifiers play-offs, but given the challenges faced by clubs that are having to meet ongoing financial commitments while seeing revenues dry up during the COVID-19 lockdowns, payments will now be made immediately as follows.

"€50m will go to clubs having released players for the 39 national teams not involved in the European Qualifiers play-offs.

"€17.7m will go to clubs having released players for the 16 national teams taking part in the European Qualifiers play-offs (not including payments for the play-off matches, which will be paid on completion of the play-offs).

"The balance of €2.7m - related to players released for the play-offs - will be distributed upon completion of these play-off matches in the autumn."

Andrea Agnelli, chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), added: “This represents a much-needed liquidity injection into club finances and is a result of ECA’s joint work with UEFA on safeguarding clubs at this time of existential threat. 

"Whilst public health remains our primary concern, securing financial, legal and regulatory relief in advance of restarting football across Europe, once it is safe to do so, is of paramount importance to ECA and its members.”