"In the reform of the European Cups under discussion at ECAEuropean Club Association
, even the most modest countries would have access to European competitions. This is a strategy that takes into account the general interest. The ECA, this is what the 232 clubs that comprise it up want to do. Contrary to what has been said, it is the clubs that are posing the questions because it is European resources that make them live," stated Jean-Michel AulasVice-président délégué @ Fédération Française de Football (FFF) • Officier de la Légion d’honneur (2017)
• Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (2012)
, chairman of Olympique LyonnaisActivité : club professionnel français (sections masculine et féminine)
Partenaires premium :
• adidas (équipementier), 2010-2029 (11 M€ par an sur 2020-2025)
• Fly Emirates (compagnie…
(Ligue 1 ConforamaFrench professional football 1st division (20 clubs). Conforama (distribution of furniture and household appliances), title sponsor for 2017-2020 (€7m per season).
), at the fourth edition of the French Professional Football Club Convention held in Monaco on 27/05/2019.
"Sports business marketing, bringing new fans to the stadium, and the equilibrium between leagues, federations and confederations" were among the themes of this convention, which brings together the leaders of French professional clubs, but also the bodies and families of football (players, managers, etc) at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort on 27 and 28/05/2019.
"Nothing is anchored, and we must not be reactionary. But we must not be too afraid of change. We must think about these discussions, but we must also jump at the opportunity. (...) It is very healthy that the leagues propose alternative projects, which will ultimately be presented to UEFAUnion of European Football Associations
," added Michele CentenaroIndependent board member @ European Club Association (ECA) , the ECA secretary general.
"The elephant in the room is the Super League. Is it the sense of destiny to come to a closed or semi-closed competition? The answer is yes, and the ECA understood that if it we do nothing, an investment fund could come up with one billion dollars and create this itself with a number of top clubs, so we must try to understand all this and have an institutional approach on this subject. Putting clubs at the heart of the debate is fundamental," said Jacques-Henri Eyraud , president of Olympique de MarseilleActivité : club de football professionnel français
Partenaires majeurs :
• CMA CGM (armateur de porte-conteneurs) : sponsor maillot principal, 2023-2025
• Puma (équipementier) …
(Ligue 1 Conforama).
"Recently we have seen more political than pragmatic positions" (J-M Aulas, OL)
• The ECA has an absolutely unique expert structure, which is multi-country. I have never seen this, not even at the FFF. The ECA has an extremely diversified representative-ness, and represents the actors that are the clubs in a very democratic structure, with a lot of know-how.
"A very cavalier vote, in a populist atmosphere, with something of an undefined analysis"
• I do not feel concerned by a vote of the French League that does not understand all the issues of the future."
Jean-Michel Aulas, chairman of Olympique Lyonnais, on 27/05/2019
The UEFA - ECA project
• An « informal brainstorming session to exchange views and ideas around UEFA club competitions post-2024 » took place between the UEFA Executive Committee and ECA Executive Board at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon (SUI) on Tuesday 19/03/2019.
• The 32 Champions League clubs could, from 2024-25, be divided into four groups of eight teams (instead of eight groups of four), with 14 guaranteed matches and the assurance that the top five in each group (20 clubs) will participate in the next edition, regardless of their national league results.
• The sixth and seventh of each group would play in a play-off (or « play-out » for the loser) for four more places in the next Champions League season.
• In total, 24 clubs out of 32 (75 %) would therefore be sure to participate in the following edition of the Champions League.
• Then, the four semi-finalists of the Europa League would also qualify for the next Champions League, regardless of their table ranking at the national level.
• Thus, 28 out of 32 clubs (87.5 %) would therefore be present in the Champions League independent of their results in their national championships.
• The last four places would be awarded to four national champions who would enter the competition after a preliminary round.
"We are at a pivotal moment in the history of our sport" (J-H Eyraud, OM)
• 25 years ago, football was a local economy because the main source of revenue was ticketing, which now only accounts for around 14%. Today, it is a global economy. In England, 11 clubs would still earn tremendous money this season with no one in their stadiums.
• I am impressed by the organization and quality of the exchanges within the ECA.
"French football is in a defensive posture while we should be offensive with our strengths"
• 10 of the 15 best TV audiences (in France) this season involved Olympique de Marseille, which has the best TV audiences in France, and the best home attendance. I intend to exercise my entrepreneurial freedom, and Frank McCourt (American owner of Marseille) is with me. What would prevent us from participating in this new competition?
• French football is in a defensive posture while we should be offensive with our strengths. There are still more viewers for a PSG - OM Ligue 1 match than for a PSG - FC Barcelona Champions League match.
• There is still a need to work towards a final project, which will probably not be like the one currently on the table."
Jacques-Henri Eyraud, president of Olympique de Marseille, on 27/05/2019
"The problem is big decisions are all made at the confederation and federation level, when these decisions primarily affect the clubs and players" (M. Centenaro, ECA)
• Now, ECA is recognized as the sole body to directly represent clubs to UEFA. The main discussions tend to be around Competitions, Calendar, and Player Status. The problem is big decisions are all made at the confederation and federation level, when these decisions primarily affect the clubs and players. ECA is here to help the clubs gain more voice in the decision-making process.
• From all levels, from the ECA subdivision 4 clubs of an average revenue of €1.8m, to the top elite subdivision 1 of global clubs, the answer is to have more consistent access to European football. The smaller the club, the more dependent they can be on European revenue for survival. The domestic market brings zero to these clubs.
"We must think about the future, nothing has been decided, the discussion is only just now beginning"
• So this is the discussion that will take place in European football, in Malta on 06 and 07/06/2019, for a pan-European (cup) system of three levels, in connection with the domestic leagues. To create more avenues (to European competition), always based on sporting merit, for clubs to develop and maintain a place in Europe. To begin to think about the future.
• And I think these are good questions, healthy questions for all of football. We must think about the future. And nothing has been decided, the discussion is only just now beginning."
Michele Centenaro, secretary general of the ECAEuropean Club Association
, 27/05/2019
European Club Association (ECA)
Objet : organisme indépendant qui représente les clubs au niveau européen et qui offre aussi ses services comme conseiller sur le football, tant sur l’aspect sportif qu’entrepreneurial
Création : janvier 2008, en remplacement du G14 et du Forum des Clubs Européens
Siège : Nyon, Suisse
Membres : environ 500 clubs (2023-2027) issus des 55 fédérations nationales membres de l’UEFA Président : Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (QAT / Paris Saint-Germain) depuis le 21/04/2021, a succédé à Andrea Agnelli (ITA, Juventus FC), qui a démissionné le 18/04/2021. Chief Executive Officer : Charlie Marshall (nomination annoncée le 09/04/2020)
Objectifs :
• sauvegarder et promouvoir les intérêts des clubs européens et du football
• représenter les intérêts des clubs comme employeurs et agir en tant que partenaire social
• contribuer au développement des compétitions de clubs de l’UEFA
• contribuer à la bonne gouvernance du football européen
• favoriser l’échange d’informations et de bonnes pratiques entre les clubs
• soutenir et défendre les valeurs sportives et les principes du football européen
• maintenir les contacts, la coopération et les négociations avec les organisations liées au football ou avec les institutions publiques et privées
Comité exécutif
• Nasser Al-Khelaïfi
• Jan-Christian Dreesen
• Peter Lawwell
• Dariusz Mioduski
• Aki Riihilahti
• Martina Pavlová
• Míguel Ángel Gil Marin
• Dan Friedkin
• Vinai Venkatesham
• Dennis Te Kloese
• Ali Y. Koç
• Niclas Carlnén
Conseil d’administration :
• Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), président, également représentant de l’ECA au sein du comité exécutif de l’UEFA avec Miguel Ángel Gil Marín (Club Atlético de Madrid, LaLiga EA Sports)
• Martina Pavlova (Sparta Prague, République Tchèque), vice-présidente
European Club Association
, even the most modest countries would have access to European competitions. This is a strategy that takes into account the general interest. The ECA, this is what the 232 clubs that comprise it up want to do. Contrary to what has been said, it is the clubs that are posing the questions because it is European resources that make them live," stated Jean-Michel Aulas
Vice-président délégué @ Fédération Française de Football (FFF)
Activité : club professionnel français (sections masculine et féminine)
Partenaires premium :
• adidas (équipementier), 2010-2029 (11 M€ par an sur 2020-2025)
• Fly Emirates (compagnie…
(Ligue 1 Conforama
French professional football 1st division (20 clubs). Conforama (distribution of furniture and household appliances), title sponsor for 2017-2020 (€7m per season).
), at the fourth edition of the French Professional Football Club Convention held in Monaco on 27/05/2019. 
Union of European Football Associations
," added Michele Centenaro
Independent board member @ European Club Association (ECA)
Activité : club de football professionnel français
Partenaires majeurs :
• CMA CGM (armateur de porte-conteneurs) : sponsor maillot principal, 2023-2025
• Puma (équipementier) …
(Ligue 1 Conforama).
