December 12 – The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has received a membership boost after 34 clubs from England and Wales joined following a partnership with Fair Game, the union announced on Friday.
The UEC’s membership has grown to 150 clubs with Lincoln City, Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Bury FC among those joining after formalising ties with Fair Game, an influential advocate in the UK for fairer distribution of revenues as well as good governance in the game.
“The challenges faced by clubs in English football are similar to the challenges faced by clubs across Europe. Our co-operation with Fair Game gives the UEC the opportunity to address these challenges together.
“The UEC believes clubs of all sizes deserve to be heard and fairly represented in the decision-making processes of European football,” said the UEC’s Dennis Gudasic in a statement.
The UEC was established earlier this year to counterbalance the European Club Association (ECA) and shares values of fair and sustainable football landscape across the continent with Fair Game.
“This partnership is a real shot in the arm for those who want a fairer future for football,” said Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper.
“Football needs a fairer financial flow – one that rewards well-run clubs. Clubs that champion financial sustainability, good governance, equality standards and meaningful fan engagement.
“We would encourage clubs who share that vision to join us and become part of a growing movement.”
The news of the UEC’s expansion comes in the same week as the ECA gathering in Copenhagen where membership growth was also high on the agenda. The ECA wants to grow to a membership of 700, whereas the UEC wants to appeal to at least 1,000 clubs arguing that it is more democratic than the ECA.
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