April 20 – Bayern Munich’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has replaced Andrea Agnelli on an interim basis as the president of the European Club Association (ECA) after the Juventus owner resigned following the announcement of the new Super League plans that included his club but left most other ECA member out in the cold.
With Agnelli’s departure from the head of the ECA top, Rummenigge returns to his old role. He was the first-ever ECA chairman, heading the organisation from 2008 to 2017, and steering it through relatively calm waters before talks over reform of European football accelerated under the presidency of Agnelli.
ECA also confirmed the board members for their executive committee: Nasser Al-Khelaifi (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Gerlinger (FC Bayern München), Edwin van der Sar (AFC Ajax), Dariusz Mioduski (Legia Warszawa), Aki Riihilahti (HJK Helsinki) and Michele Centenaro (ECA’s Independent Board Member and former General Secretary).
In a statement, the association wrote: “Under this new structure, ECA has put in place the required short-term certainty to continue to play its role in driving the crucial efforts of the Association on behalf of all its existing members, working alongside key stakeholders, most notably UEFA and also FIFA, FIFPro and Leagues, in making the important decisions required to manage this period.”
“The Board has now asked the Executive Committee to consult and make a recommendation for the appointment of a new Chairman of ECA. In the next days, a number of further decisions relating to ECA structures, including elections/appointments to fill vacated Executive Board spots, will be taken and communicated.”
On Wednesday at the UEFA Congress, both Rummenigge and Al-Khelaifi were confirmed as representatives of ECA on the confederation’s executive committee.
The ECA has condemned the Super League plans that have rocked European and world football this week. In a statement, the ECA insisted they are “the only legitimate and fully recognised voice of the leading clubs in Europe” and “condemn” the 12 Super League clubs.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1736348803labto1736348803ofdlr1736348803owedi1736348803sni@o1736348803fni1736348803