The ECA Executive Board concluded its meeting today in Istanbul, Türkiye with a series of important updates on key topics concerning European club football.
ECA and UNHCR partnership
The meeting was opened by ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi who welcomed all participants including the ECA Board Members of tonight’s finalists FC Internazionale Milano and Manchester City FC. He then announced that ECA had made official its support for the survivors of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria having signed a new partnership agreement with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with a donation of €500,000. In addition, ECA is supporting a fund-raising campaign for the UNHCR via an online auction of 200 shirts donated by 175 clubs at the last ECA General Assembly.
The Chairman then passed the floor to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to address the Board ahead of tonight’s showpiece UEFA Champions League final.
Financial Sustainability Regulations update
The Board received a presentation from UEFA on the latest discussions being held by the Working Group that was tasked by the Club Licensing Committee to look into certain details of the new UEFA Club Licensing & Financial Sustainability Regulations. ECA will continue to engage with UEFA in the Working Group as these discussions progress.
Women’s football
On the issue of player release for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 the Board was appraised of the recent framework that was agreed, led by ECA and FIFA, involving all stakeholders in the women’s game.
ECA/UEFA Joint Venture
The Board was updated on the ongoing media rights sales process for the UEFA Club Competitions post-2024, being conducted through the ECA/UEFA Joint Venture, and which continues to track positively according to the overall projection.
General Assembly 6-7 September Berlin
The Board then approved the organisational regulations, procedure and calendar for the forthcoming elections that will take place at the next ECA General Assembly on 6 and 7 September in Berlin.
2023/27 Strategic Review
Finally, a top line view was given to the Board on the direction for ECA’s strategy for the next membership cycle 2023/27 that will be further outlined over the summer, but will include stronger stakeholder alliances, more and better club services and the establishment of a new ECA Foundation, the statutes of which were approved by the Board today.
