By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – Reaction continues to pour in to the establishment of the new Nations League tournament that looks set to become an integral part of European football from 2018.
The European Club Association, like other bodies, has given a cautious welcome to the competition which is designed to replace meaningless friendlies.
Commenting on its possible impact on the club game, ECA Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “A positive aspect of this new concept is that our players will no longer have to travel around the world for friendly matches.”
“I am not worried about the Champions League; it is a prime product and the Europa League as well will continue to flourish.”
But it would appear the Germans are not entirely happy with the tournament being announced as a fait accompli in Astana last week when it was unanimously approved at the UEFA Congress.
German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach raised no objection during the congress when associations were given the chance to raise questions from the floor.
However, back in Germany, Niersbach was quoted as saying: “It was a long process and I do not deny that the DFB and also I personally have openly expressed concerns. Our concerns have not totally vanished but we accept and respect the fact that the majority of national associations wanted changes.”
German league president Reinhard Rauball went further, saying: “We were very surprised that this topic came up in Astana without formal notice on the advance agenda and that such a far-reaching decision was made. There should be no instant changes to the current balanced arrangement of club and national team competitions.”
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