European football setting foundations for the future

UEFA and European football’s major stakeholders held positive discussions at the Convention on the Future of European Football on Thursday and Friday this week.

The two-day gathering marked the start of a landmark consultation process to unite European football and strengthen the future of the game for the benefit of all. The summit brought together high-level representatives of national associations, leagues, clubs, players, coaches, fans and agents to discuss the current state of European football and to identify pathways where joint work could progress into long-term policy and governance reforms.

Following opening speeches by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, European Club Association Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi and European Leagues management board member Javier Tebas, the participants exchanged views on four core areas fundamental to the foundations of European football including financial sustainability, competitiveness, good governance and women’s football.

With each panel moderated by an independent expert, focus was on comprehensive actions that can be undertaken to ensure the short- and long-term positive development of the entire football pyramid in Europe. Participants engaged in a collaborative and unified commitment to work together to discuss solutions to longstanding and recent challenges confronting European football.

The European Union and Council of Europe demonstrated strong support to this process through the attendance of several high-ranking representatives. In their remarks, both Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, and Council of Europe Director General for Democracy, Snežana Samardžić-Marković underlined their institutions’ close partnerships with UEFA and their firm resolve to preserve the European sports model and protect its values and principles, especially solidarity.

All organisations recognised these initial important steps and were encouraged by the genuine collaborative spirit and momentum to deliver long term solutions. The Convention will reconvene in November for another round of consultations.