UEFA and ECA move close to new agreement

UEFA can today confirm that it has reached a provisional agreement with the European Club Association (ECA) regarding the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between UEFA and the ECA to run from 1 June 2012 until 30 May 2018.

Both parties agreed to solutions on a number of key issues including: an increase to the agreed amount to be distributed to clubs who have contributed to the successful staging of UEFA EURO 2012 (set at €55m in January 2008) as well as for UEFA EURO 2016 and national team football in general; an insurance covering the risk of injury while on international team duty; UEFA and the ECA have also come to a joint compromise proposition for the international match calendar, balancing the interests of national team and club football.

The renewed Memorandum of Understanding will now be presented to the UEFA Congress in Istanbul on 22 March this year. As for the international match calendar proposals these require the approval of FIFA.

Commenting on the news, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, who was in attendance at the ECA General Assembly in Warsaw, said: "UEFA and the European clubs have long been partners working together to do the best for players, clubs, national teams and football as a whole. With this renewed agreement that for the first time will cover insurance for players registered with European clubs, not only are we looking after the players, the clubs and the national associations, but we are also demonstrating a true respect and unity with our fellow football confederations.

"We are therefore extremely happy with the announcement of this renewed agreement with the ECA and we are equally confident that our calendar proposition will be approved by FIFA, who have always maintained dialogue with us on this matter."