FIFA maintain moral high ground in war of words with ECA

By Andrew Warshaw

February 28 – The tit-for-tat war of words between Europe’s clubs and FIFA was stepped up today when football’s world governing body reacted with surprise at suggestions that relations between the two parties had irretrievably broken down.

At its general assembly in Warsaw, the European Club Association (ECA) said it was no longer talking to FIFA because its demands for more say in key decision-making were not being met.

But FIFA, eager not to lose the moral high ground, were quick to respond by laying any blame for a breakdown in communication firmly at the door of the clubs.

“ECA representatives are members of several FIFA committees and are always invited to take part in the discussions on such topics, together with representatives from clubs of other confederations,” a statement said.

FIFA said it could not comprehend why both ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and general secretary Michele Centenaro had turned down an invitation to Zurich on March 5.

This simply obstructed any chance of progress, FIFA argued, stressing that the international match calendar had to be applied on a worldwide basis rather than just in Europe.

“Following a discussion between FIFA and all six confederations, a working group which includes all relevant stakeholders [FIFA, confederations, national associations, clubs, players] will discuss the next international match calendar at a meeting on 5 March at the FIFA headquarters with the objective of reaching a unanimous consensus in order to make it simpler and easier for all stakeholders and to answer the club’s concerns while keeping in mind the interests of the national associations and the players,” the statement continued.

“Both ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (pictured) and ECA general secretary Michele Centenaro are members of this working group and have been invited to attend the meeting, but have declined to take part in the meeting.

“ECA representatives have previously declined attendance to other FIFA committee meetings, making it very difficult for progress to be made in discussions with the European clubs.

“FIFA remains, as always, willing to discuss with ECA on these topics, as it does with all other stakeholders in the world football community.

“Finally, FIFA would like to recall that the international dates and the international match calendar have to be applied on a worldwide basis and that this calendar is ultimately regulated by FIFA, as football’s world governing body.”

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