European Commission to update UEFA agreement as Micallef warns ‘risks are greater than ever’

13 February – Speaking at the UEFA Congress in Brussels yesterday, European commissioner Glenn Micallef said the European Commission would renew its cooperation agreement with UEFA which he said was a “stronger relationship than before.”

Micallef is the European commissioner for intergenerational justice, youth, culture and sport, and has been an outspoken political advocate for the game and in particular the European sporting model, and the principles of competitive balance and solidarity in the face of the threat of secession from the European Super League.

“The only constant in life is change. The fact that we are doing our best does not mean we are not improving,” said Micallef, who has inserted the European Commission into the football narrative with a series of strong messages about the importance of football culture in the European region.

The European Super League may now be over, but Micallef will not stop because he sees more threats to the balance and ecosystem of European football.

“Football is family, togetherness, it is joy, emotion, passion, frustration. It is entertainment and profitable. There is nothing wrong with this… Investment into the club and leadership is welcome, but it must respect our values,” Micallef said.

“Football belongs to the community, the domestic league is our core… big clubs and grassroots clubs are two sides of the same coin, big and small countries are two sides of the same pitch. Solidarity between them is very important,” he continued.

“European competition cannot be bought. The recent agreement (Real Madrid withdrew and ended the proposed split of the Super League) is an important step… The risks we face are greater than ever. The national football ecosystem is under pressure. Competitions and matches in unregulated regions are costing the system money. We must discuss these issues.”

Micallef puts forward the principles of solidarity, sustainability and competitive balance as the first line of protection in the face of threats to the game.

“We must not put commercial before fun, experience and development of the game. Our football family may not agree, but football must come first.”

International football bodies pride themselves on being apolitical. It is a matter of pride that today it seems increasingly out of touch as the boundaries between gaming and politics are increasingly blurred. Micallef has a clear view of the role of lawmakers.

“Football does not exist in a vacuum. Football is a public good and must be regulated by those who govern in the public interest. When fans are not respected, football loses part of its soul,” said Micallef. The simple statement was delivered by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has brought world football’s governing body into the political maelstrom at the White House, sitting just 10 meters from the podium.

Micallef has no problem with the commercial proposition of football, and is keen to support it. He cited support for “stronger crackdown on piracy could protect revenues. Our estimate is €1 billion is lost to piracy (every year). This is money stolen from football.”

“We must stand together and protect football,” he concluded.

Contact the author of this story at strength.l1770987552Labto1770987552ofdlr1770987552late1770987552sni@n1770987552Donkey1770987552eat.l1770987552steam1770987552