Superliga: UEFA feels supported by European governments

The sports ministers of the European Union have adopted on Tuesday a Resolution of the Council of the EU on a European Sports Model. The Resolution, approved unanimously by ministers on behalf of the 27 EU member states, calls for values-based organized sport to be strengthened in Europe and protected from threats such as closed competitions.

The adoption of the Resolution follows recent support for the European Sports Model by the European Parliament and the European Commission. The EU Council Resolution is a milestone that will shape European sport for decades to come. Lhe UEFA applauds the determination of the EU sports ministers to reach the agreement and welcomes the EU Council’s vision for the future of European sports policy.

For European football, the Council’s position represents a very important support for our values ​​and our model based on solidarity. Indeed, the EU’s political vision offers broad support and is aligned with UEFA’s governance model. For instance, all 27 member states recognize the fundamental role of federations in supervising the organization and operation of their respective sport and in conciliating stakeholders so that all contribute to the healthy development of sport.

Rejection of closed competitions such as the Super League

The EU member states expressly confirm the key features of a European Sports Model, such as the pyramidal structure, the open promotion and relegation system, a grassroots approach and solidarity, as well as the role of sport in national identity and its social and educational functions. In more explicit terms, lThe Council Resolution echoes the recent positions of the European Parliament and the Commission and rejects closed competitions as the attempted ‘super league’, also underlining the principle of opening sports competitions and giving priority to sporting merit.

Importantly, the Resolution also emphasizes that sports organizations must continue to fight for greater transparency and better governance, including a number of reforms advocated or already implemented by UEFA. Furthermore, it calls for greater inclusion of stakeholders in decision-making processes, specifically with regards to fans and athletes. UEFA looks forward to continuing these discussions with key football stakeholders in the framework of the Convention on the Future of European Football.

About this Resolution, the President of UEFA. Aleksander Čeferin commented: “This is a historic declaration of intent by the EU member states. There is no doubt that Europe and European sport will succeed in protecting and promoting our European Sport Model. We now have a long-term action plan at European level to uphold a values-based, socially rooted and open vision of European sport. With this endorsement of our model, European football will continue to be the prime example of this. “