European clubs have increased influence and affluence thanks to the joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association, ECA President Nasser Al-Khelai said while addressing its General Assembly in Vienna on Monday.
Al-Khelai said that the cooperation between the two bodies, which aims to identify marketing partners to sell commercial rights for European club competitions in the 2024–27 cycle, has increased the projected value of the tournament.
In February, UEFA, along with ECA, appointed Team Marketing and Relevant Sports Group as sales partners for men’s club competitions.
Al-Khelai suggested that the partnership would have proved more attractive for European football than the proposed European Super League.
Last April, twelve major European clubs announced plans to form a separate league, but the project was shelved within days of the withdrawal of the six English clubs involved. After this Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan also withdrew their names.
“For the first time, UEFA and ECA have worked jointly to conduct an open and competitive tender to manage the sales process for men’s European club competitions,” said Al-Khelai.
“We have seen an astonishing 39% increase in the projected commercial value of men’s UEFA club competitions for the cycle after 2024. The deal also proves that skeptics of the European football model were wrong.
“More influence and more prosperity for clubs, more progressive governance and more European solidarity – I remember some people trying to tear down the system last year for a fraction of these things.”
Al-Khelai also said that the ECA would provide 1 million euros ($1.10 million) in aid to Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion of the country.
“We are living in difficult times. We are all saddened to see the violent attacks on the people of Ukraine, and we call for peace,” said the President of Paris Saint-Germain.
“I am in touch with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) so that the ECA can help care for the Ukrainian people and refugees in neighboring countries.
“ECA will provide an initial 1 million euro financial contribution to support the efforts of our members in aiding the Ukrainian people, while also offering many of our clubs to find a safe space for Ukrainian youth academy players.”
Russia calls its actions “special military operations”.
The ECA’s General Assembly is set to discuss a wide range of issues in football over the next two days, including financial fair play, the format of European club competitions after 2024 and inclusivity in the sport.
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