June 13 – Looking beyond the Qatar 2022 World Cup, FIFA and the Qatar Stars League (QSL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the world governing body provide on how to raise club management and administration standards across all QSL first and second division clubs.
The MoU is seen by the league as part of the Qatar 2022 legacy and follows a review of the league that a FIFA press release said “identified strategic initiatives to improve the competitiveness and entertainment level of the league”.
Sheikh Hamad Al Thani (pictured right), president of the QSL, said: “We have an ambitious plan to transform our club game and critical to our success will be for every QSL club to aspire to become a model professional club on and off the pitch. To help the QSL and all member clubs on this journey, FIFA is the perfect partner. Through this agreement we can collectively access huge experience, insight, and practical knowledge and turn it to our advantage.”
Part of the consultancy will see a new set of club licensing criteria with a Club Participation Agreement (CPA), to be signed by QSL clubs prior to the 2022/23 season, covering six core areas: club governance and management, football, matchday operations, revenue generation, marketing and community.
All clubs “will be required to build strong internal management teams and to implement budgeted plans in the six areas. Clubs failing to comply with the CPA will receive sanctions from the 2023/24 season onwards”, said a FIFA release.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino (pictured left) said: “FIFA is delighted to support the development of the Qatar Stars League, as part of FIFA’s vision to make football truly global and create a more competitive and sustainable global eco-system, where more clubs, leagues and players from all around the world can compete at the highest level. Therefore, FIFA stands ready to support the Qatar Stars League in its ground-breaking and exciting development and transformation plan.”
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