At their Board of Directors meeting in Paris, on 13 June, the European Leagues appointed Alberto Colombo, currently its Deputy General Secretary, to the role of Managing Director and General Secretary of the Association.

Claudius Schäfer, President of the European Leagues, commented:

“Alberto is already a prominent figure in European professional football and brings a wealth of experience from his work in our Association over the last eighteen years. His deep knowledge of the governance of the game together with his unique and extensive track record of relations with domestic leagues, other football stakeholders, the media, and EU institutions will advance the ambition of our members to further grow the influence of our Association in the European professional football landscape.

Alberto Colombo added:

“I am grateful to the Board for putting their faith in me to step up to this new position with the European Leagues. Eighteen years working with European Leagues has shown me that fans, players, clubs, and communities all believe domestic leagues are the bedrock of the world’s most popular sport.

“A fast-changing competition and governance environment has put the balance of domestic and international football under threat.  It is in the interests of everyone in football to find the right balance for the game to continue to thrive.

“Together with our member leagues and committed staff in the Administration I’m ready to drive forward the longstanding role of league football at the very centre of our eco-system. Together, I’m convinced we will be able to navigate the threats posed by an over-congested football calendar, the scourge of online piracy, and a growing financial and sporting polarization in the game.

“I look forward to working with our members to address these issues and also to identify new business opportunities that will improve the game through a spirit of dynamic collaboration across the leagues”.

 

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