Club Licensing – ten years on
Monday, January 25, 2016
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UEFA has issued a report on how the club licensing system has developed since the system was introduced over ten years ago.
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UEFA has published a report on how the club licensing system has developed since the system was introduced over ten years ago, its impact on European club football, and how it is implemented in each of UEFA's 54 member associations.
Following on from the "Club Licensing – here to stay" report which was published following the initial years of the system's introduction, "Club Licensing – 10 years on …" provides an in-depth explanation of the characteristics of the club licensing system and how the system functions, as well as illustrating how it has evolved with the introduction of financial fair play.
The positive impact of club licensing is in evidence throughout the report, and is highlighted by UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino: "With the system now firmly in place and having a positive impact in terms of raising the level of professionalism in club management and supporting the financial stability of clubs and the integrity of competitions, this report shows that club licensing provides the perfect platform for the future growth and prosperity of European club football".
The wide-ranging application of club licensing can be seen through a comprehensive analysis of its scope and extent across Europe, in respect of both UEFA and domestic competitions. The report also has a section dedicated to each national licensor, with various club licensing information placed within the context of football in each country.
In addition to explaining what club licensing is and the scope of its application, the report also looks at the achievements in tackling many of the commonly cited problems of European club football which the system has tried to address, such as financial transparency, inadequate stadia, overdue payables and lack of youth investment.
In his introduction, UEFA's head of club licensing and financial fair play, Andrea Traverso, expresses the hope that the report can encourage more sporting organisations to adopt similar standards to those promoted through club licensing, with the aim of improving governance and protecting the interests of competition organisers, clubs, players and, ultimately, the fans.
