Fifpro (world union of players) and the European Leagues association, which brings together around thirty European championships, called on Tuesday to reform the governance of football, following the stillborn project of the European Super League.
“The current system of governance is no longer able to cope with the decisions that have to be taken,” FIFA Secretary General Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said at an event in Brussels. “Making big, constructive decisions has become practically impossible. It is time to make significant changes in the governance of football ”.
The main representatives of the governing body of European football, UEFA, or the influential European Club Association (ECA), were not present, however. “We need everyone in the room for these discussions and unfortunately they are not there,” lamented Jonas Baer-Hoffmann.
The biennial World, the pill does not pass
Members of the continent’s leagues and organizations have complained about the lack of dialogue from Fifa regarding its proposal for a biennial World Cup, spurred by its director of world football development, Arsene Wenger.
“Wenger’s presentation was purely informative,” said Bobby Barnes, deputy general manager of the Association of Professional England Footballers. “It’s about being consulted as stakeholders. If your role in sport is to be recognized, you need to have these conversations before Wenger’s presentation ”.
The European Parliament steps in
This call from Fifpro and the European Leagues comes on the day when MEPs urged the establishment of mechanisms to protect continental football from a Super League-type threat, this project carried by twelve of the biggest European clubs in the world. spring but quickly nipped in the bud due to opposition from much of the football world.
“Sport is a right for all and we must make sure that it is safe, accessible, inclusive and equal for all,” said Tomasz Frankowski, former Polish player and now member of the European Parliament. The EU sports policy report also voiced its opposition to a biennial World Cup, asserting that “sports organizations must respect the established frequency of major international sporting events”.