MADRID, 23 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
UEFA and ‘Football Supporters Europe’, the body that represents the interests of football fans at a European level, signed their first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday in Nyon (Switzerland), which gives fans a more relevant role in decision-making and with which the progressive relationship between both parties is formalized to take it “to new levels, establishing the priorities and the structure of cooperation between the two organizations until 2026”.
According to UEFA, this agreement “underlines the continued support” of the two entities “to the European football pyramid, including the central role of the federations in supervising the organization and operation of the sport, the open system of promotions and relegations within national leagues culminating in qualification for European competitions, bottom-up financial solidarity, as well as football’s role in cultural identity and its social and educational functions.
Now, the body chaired by Aleksander Ceferin “has committed to bringing together a broader spectrum of representatives from across the football community to ensure that there is a wide and varied range of views to build a sustainable future for football that benefits everyone.” .
For this reason, this document that “guarantees that the opinions of the fans are adequately represented in the decision-making process in the structures of European football” and it specifies the main joint priorities.
Among these, UEFA stressed, include initiatives “to safeguard and improve the experience of fans during their attendance at matches in UEFA club and national team competitions, the promotion and integration of the figure of the liaison officer with the Supporters (SLO) and the development of structured fan dialogue policies at national level across Europe”.
“Without the continued loyalty of football fans, this game would not enjoy its success and popularity. UEFA is committed to ensuring that the fans’ needs and views are a key consideration,” Aleksander Ceferin celebrated.
The Slovenian leader believes that “this historic agreement shows that at UEFA this is not an empty sentiment.” “We look forward to working with ‘Football Supporters Europe’ on behalf of football fans in the coming years to ensure that the sport is a safe and welcoming place for all,” he said.
For his part, Ronan Evain, Executive Director of ‘Football Supporters Europe’, also described the signing of this MoU as an “exciting milestone” for his association, with which UEFA “shows that it understands the value and importance of fans at football, whether it’s protecting the future of European football, helping fans influence within their clubs and nationally, protecting human rights or raising awareness of the positive contribution they make to the game.