November 19 – Two Europe-wide fans groups have teamed up with leagues across the Continent in an effort to protect domestic competition.
The European Leagues, the umbrella body covering most top leagues, has agreed to formally work with Supporters Direct Europe and Football Supporters Europe amid proposals by UEFA to revamp international club tournaments.
The leagues and fans groups are united in opposing plans to grant two teams access to the Champions League based on historical success rather the most recent form. They reject the idea of any changes which “jeopardise domestic competitions and their format, their calendar (and) their competitive balance”.
Though leagues and fans supported UEFA in opposing the aborted European Super League and FIFA’s biennial World Cup proposal, they disagree over Champions League changes set to take effect in 2024.
UEFA’s plans would involve an extra 100 matches including giving two entries to clubs based on a 10-year record of results in European competitions.
“The parties acknowledge the importance of competitive domestic competitions in full capacity stadiums with home and away fans, with sporting merit as the primary driver for success,” a joint statement said.
European Leagues managing director Jacco Swart commented: “Fans cheer as much as we do for inclusive, financially sustainable, and well-balanced exciting domestic competitions where sporting merit and sporting ability are the sole deciding factor in winning or losing.
“It is a natural step to converge and work together to protect domestic football in the interest of all professional leagues and their clubs and fans across Europe.”
SD Europe chief executive Antonia Hagemann added: “Fans and leagues share common principles and we now want to put them into action in specific projects and activities.
“We all want the game to be sustainable and competitive but also fair and collaborative. For SD Europe the formal relationship between fan organisations and leagues is crucial – on the national and European level. To save European football we all need to work together.”
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