Sport is more than “money and markets”

Sport is much more than “money” and “markets”. Sport is not an asset to be sold at auction. Football is not a “product”. Ask any fan and they will tell you!”, he continued.

On how all stakeholders should work together to protect European football, he said: “Whenever we try to strengthen this model of solidarity, we are exposed to threats and pressure from entities that want more for themselves and want to share less with others. Remember the outcry when a selfish secessionist plan put the European sporting model in football at risk?

In some sports, it has already happened, but we cannot and will not let it happen in European football. Let us therefore work together to create concrete legal safeguards for the essential features of the European sporting model in football.

Firstly, the link between European and domestic competitions must be fully protected. Annual performance in domestic leagues must remain the sole criterion for qualification for Europe. Allowing this link to be broken or distorted in any way would be a devastating betrayal of domestic leagues, emblematic aspects of the European heritage, for smaller football leagues and clubs, it is an existential question.

Secondly, the balance between national teams and clubs must be maintained. This balance underpins the entire model of solidarity and the development of football in your countries. at the risk of any development at grassroots level.

Protecting the single model

Thirdly, the single model of European football must be fully respected. We must all realise that it is in the public interest to continue to protect this single model.

European football is one of Europe's greatest success stories. It is strong and resilient. We have the most popular competitions, clubs and players - loved and followed by fans all over the world.

But we need more legal certainty to protect and preserve this success story. The law should be used to support the European model of sport. "No" to the will of those who seek to destroy it for their own power and selfish gain."

UEFA's mission

Regarding UEFA's non-profit mission, he noted: "Our top competitions are not about profit. They are about solidarity, redistribution and development. These are not words. Solidarity is not a charitable donation. For UEFA, solidarity is our raison d’être.

UEFA is not for profit. We redistribute 97% of our net profits back into football. Yes, 97%. What’s left is used to cover costs and sustain vital areas of women’s, youth and indoor football. And when we make more money, we give more money. Who else does that?

Who else commits such a share of revenue to fundamental objectives such as grassroots funding, the development of the women’s game and supporting youth competitions? That’s not a cost. It’s an investment. An investment in the game and an investment in people and communities. It’s an investment in the public interest.”

And he concluded: “UEFA is democratic and pluralistic. In UEFA, Malta stands with Germany. Moldova with France. "Dedicated, honest and inclusive dialogue is at the heart of everything we do. Because we know that to lead well, you have to listen. That's how UEFA has given a voice to all stakeholders, leagues, clubs, players and fans. Just a month ago, UEFA and FIFPRO Europe, the European players' union, signed a historic partnership to include player representation in European football governance. Players are now at the heart of football and their perspectives shape the decisions that are made. This approach reflects a modern model of governance where decisions are made collectively and inclusively."