Al Khelaifi addresses ECA Gen Assembly in Vienna

Tribune News Network Vienna The General Assembly of the European Club Association (ECA) was held in Vienna on Monday, chaired by Nasser Al Khelaifi. The G...

Tribune News NetworkViennaThe General Assembly of the European Club Association (ECA) was held in Vienna on Monday, chaired by Nasser Al Khelaifi. The General Assembly was attended by representatives from 246 clubs of European football together with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and various other high-level dignitaries.The discussions touched on several critical points, including the failed European Super League, donations to Ukraine efforts and Ukrainian youth academy players, new women membership into the association, and the newly introduced Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules set by UEFA. On the UEFA and ECA’s commitment against the failed Super League, Al Khelaifi said: “For the first time ever, UEFA and ECA have worked jointly to conduct an open and competitive tender to manage the sales process for men’s European club competitions. This has resulted in the appointment of TEAM Marketing and Relevant Sports Group as marketing and sales partners, which was announced only last month. “This process was much more than a tender – it represented a tectonic shift in the role that clubs now play in the decisions that shape European football, and a new progressive governance model for European football with the clubs determining their destiny in partnership with UEFA”. He continued: “It also showcased what can happen when we work together – and the results are so much better. We have seen an amazing 39% increase in the forecasted commercial value of the men’s UEFA Club Competitions for the post-2024 cycle, and while we still need to explore additional untapped revenue streams together, this is a historic increase in revenue. This deal also proves that the doubters of the European football model were wrong. More influence and more affluence for clubs”.The ECA have also been working closely with UEFA on the new FFP rules, which will be finalised by 7 April. Commenting on this, Al Khelaifi said: “The ECA have been working with UEFA on shaping the new financial sustainability rules that will apply going forward, replacing the old FFP rules. These new rules are designed to ensure costs are better controlled, while still encouraging investment that will secure our game’s long-term sustainable future. UEFA has incorporated many of ECA’s comments – made on behalf of all 240+ clubs, big and small – including how the new rules need to be simple, fair, transparent, and enforceable; and we look forward to the new system being implemented shortly”.Importantly, Al-Khelaifi also addressed the creation of a new women’s membership structure specifically for women’s clubs, in a commitment to greater diversity within the ECA.