In recent years, Bodø/Glimt has been the driving force in Norwegian club football in Europe. The results have brought prestige, ranking points – and now a pot of around 70 million kroner from UEFA.
But while Glimt has helped build the values, Norwegian top football has chosen not to share them fully.
According to VG, five elite league clubs have blocked the distribution of solidarity money to the Obos League, despite the majority wanting it. This means that the entire pot will remain in the Elite League.
UEFA wants to spread the money – Norway says no
What is special about this case is that in the new period, UEFA has opened up more clearly than before for solidarity money to be distributed more widely in national leagues. Internationally, this is part of a larger strategy: funds from European tournaments should not only reward the best, but also contribute to development further down the pyramid.
In Norway, Norsk Toppfotball (NTF) proposed that the money be distributed according to the same model as TV revenues: 81 percent to the Eliteserien and 19 percent to the Obosliga.
11 of 16 eliteserien clubs voted in favor. Still, it was not enough – UEFA regulations require a 75 percent majority.
The result: The Obos League gets zero.
Glimt voted in favor – the minority stopped it
Ironically, Bodø/Glimt itself was among the clubs that voted for a solidarity distribution. Club manager Frode Thomassen has stated that Glimt believes it is right that more people share in the values that are created, and that this will benefit the development of Norwegian football as a whole.
Nevertheless, it was a minority that gained decisive power. Five clubs voted against – in an anonymous vote – and thus the proposal fell.
Very un-Norwegian
The reactions from the Obosligaen have not been long in coming. Several club leaders point to both the outcome and the process as problematic. The fact that a matter about solidarity and community is decided through anonymous voting is described by some as "very un-Norwegian.".
It's not just about money here and now, but about what signals Norwegian top football sends at a time when we talk warmly about talent development, diversity and community.
A bigger question than 70 million
This case is actually about more than one pot from UEFA. It is about the direction Norwegian football is taking.
Bodø/Glimt has shown what is possible when you build stone by stone – often with players, coaches and managers who have come this far via the Obosliga. When values are now greater than ever, the question is whether solidarity should be part of the recipe for success – or something that stops at the top level.
The decision is valid until 2028. The debate is unlikely to be over.
