European Cup reform, World Cup rhythm, Super League: The“European Leagues “ have joined forces with two major fans’ organisations in turbulent football times.
The association, to which the Bundesliga and numerous other European professional leagues belong, is now cooperating closely with the fan organisations “Football Supporters Europe” and “Supporters Direct Europe”, which are active throughout Europe. The trio has agreed on several basic principles “for the protection and sustainable development of national and international club football”.
These include a “structural dialogue” between leagues and fans, inclusion and diversity, and a clear stance towards UEFA and FIFA on reforms to international competitions and the international match calendar.
It is important to all three associations, for example, that the national leagues are not “endangered” in any way, that funds are distributed more fairly and that no teams can qualify for competitions through club coefficients and past sporting success.
Jacco Swart, the managing director of the European Leagues, describes the merger with the fans’ organisations as a “logical step”: “Fans, like us, are committed to inclusive, financially sustainable and balanced, exciting national competitions, where sporting merit and ability are the only deciding factors between winning and losing.
