Mohamad Reza Saket, Managing Director of Sepahan, lauded the AFC’s move to introduce full-fledged commercialisation to the Asian club showpiece.

“It definitely motivates all the clubs to put in more efforts (in the new AFC Champions League),” said Saket, whose side lost in the final of the tournament last year to Japan’s Urawa Reds.

“The players, coaches and whoever else is involved can benefit from the prizes. Anyone with common sense knows that success now pays and this will unite all behind a club’s efforts.”

Currently, AFC only subsidises the away matches of participating clubs while from next year on they will win a share of the total prize money for every win and even a draw. A club can win a maximum amount of US$2,250,000 if they win all their matches (13) in the tournament proper.

“Awarding US$40,000 for every group stage win gives immense financial meaning to the games,” said Saket.

“There will be no dead match from now on. You come to win even if it is your last group match and you have no hope of qualifying for the next round!”

“We should understand that in such a situation the more the merrier (number of clubs). More clubs will lead to more matches, and consequently greater opportunities to earn more,” added Saket.

Sepahan last year earned US$400,000 for their runners-up finish while Urawa received US$600,000.