UEFA Executive Committee approves a new Football Sustainability Strategy 2030

The UEFA Executive Committee met today via videoconference and took the following decisions:

Football Sustainability Strategy 2030

The UEFA Executive Committee approved a new Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 – ‘Strength through Unity’. It constitutes a long-term commitment by UEFA which, in close cooperation with its European football stakeholders, will allow European football’s governing body to inspire, activate and accelerate collective action on socially responsible and environmentally friendly practices within the context of European football. The strategy aims to mobilise member associations, leagues and clubs around a common approach through clearly defined targets and KPIs, in order to invest in football’s future prosperity. Detailed information on the policies and objectives of the strategy will be published this week.

European club football recovery plan

The UEFA Executive Committee today received an update on the European Club Football Recovery Plan which seeks to use UEFA club competition revenues as security to allow European clubs access to liquidity over years to come. The financing scheme does not envisage any equity exchange for UEFA club competitions. Upon the request of and in consultation with the European Club Association, UEFA has been exploring ways to relieve part of the clubs’ income gap from Covid-19, whilst simultaneously providing clubs with a sustainable long-term financing solution. Starting with an estimated initial amount of €2bn, the financing programme is expected to grow over time. The programme will be developed with the lead advisers and the UEFA Finance Committee for final decision by the UEFA Executive Committee. More information regarding this plan will follow.

Update on FFP regulations

The UEFA Executive Committee was provided with an update on the financial fair play regulations, and the need to revise them to address the new challenges and improve the financial sustainability of European football clubs that have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. A package of measures was discussed, ensuring the financial sustainability of the industry while taking into account the new reality of European club football. The consultation process with all relevant stakeholders is still ongoing.

Appointment of hosts

The UEFA Executive Committee appointed Portugal to host the finals of the UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO 2022 next March.

The Latvian Football Federation has been designated as hosts of the 2021/22 UEFA Futsal Champions League finals which will take place in the Arena Riga next spring.

Competition regulations

In line with the general change of rule decided by UEFA last summer, the UEFA Executive Committee has approved the abolition of the away goals rule for the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League play-offs to be played in March 2022, and for the 2021-23 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs in September 2022.

Due to the short-term forecasts for the pandemic and to guarantee the smooth running of the upcoming UEFA Futsal EURO in the Netherlands and UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO 2022, special COVID-19 rules will be implemented, as already applied at the final tournaments of two other national team competitions (UEFA EURO 2020 and the 2021 UEFA Nations League finals). Special rules applicable to mini-tournaments due to COVID-19 will also be applied for the 2022-24 UEFA European Qualifying Competition for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

The UEFA Medical Regulations (edition 2022) were approved and will come into force on 1 July 2022. They will be published on UEFA’s official website in due course.

EURO bidding

UEFA will launch soon the bidding process to stage the EURO in 2032, run in parallel with 2028, by inviting applications from its 55 national associations. The move seeks to help consolidate long term football and financial planning for the European national associations by offering clearer prospects to partners and rights holders. More information regarding the bidding process will follow.

UEFA Grassroots Awards

The UEFA Executive Committee selected the UEFA Grassroots Awards winners for 2021, following recommendations made by the UEFA Grassroots Panel and the UEFA Development and Technical Assistance Committee. These awards are run annually and aim to reward programmes and projects in Europe for excellence at the grassroots level. More information on the winners will be communicated in due course.

*Next meeting

The next meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee is scheduled to take place on Thursday 7 April 2022 at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The agenda of this meeting and more information on media accreditations will be announced in due course.