Brussels, 19 September 2025 – The European Leagues Association concluded its first in-person Board of Directors meeting of the 2025/26 season in Brussels, Belgium. The two-day gathering provided an opportunity to engage with Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner in charge of sports, and key stakeholders from across the European football ecosystem.
Meeting with the European Commission
Yesterday’s Board meeting included a constructive session attended by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. Discussions with Mr. Micallef focused on tackling pressing issues affecting the long-term sporting and financial stability and competitiveness of European football, while recognizing the central role of domestic leagues as the backbone of the entire football pyramid in Europe.
The conversation underlined the importance of an inclusive and transparent governance model, ensuring national leagues are properly represented in football’s decision-making bodies. The meeting also provided an opportunity to address the joint complaint submitted by the European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe to the European Commission regarding FIFA’s unilateral decisions on the international match calendar.
The financial sustainability of European football was at the centre of the discussions, with a particular focus on enhancing distribution models and solidarity mechanisms of international competitions and the need to address the risks of financial polarisation and widening gaps within domestic competitions.
The meeting was also the opportunity for the leagues to support the Commissioner’s Agenda to safeguard the European Sport Model, which is rooted in solidarity, integrity, sporting merit, and the openness of competitions.
After the meeting, Commissioner Micallef stated:
“The European football clubs and leagues are the best in the world. Their contribution to Europe goes much further than the football field and as European Commissioner responsible for sport I’m immensely proud to see them take a proactive role in promoting key values of our union through their work.
My commitment to continue to support these leagues remains steadfast and unwavering. A strategic discussion on the future of European football is needed – one where we join forces with all stakeholders to anchor financial sustainability and good governance as the foundations that ensure competitive balance in competitions, fairness and integrity, and the best interest of our communities.”
Claudius Schäfer, President of the European Leagues, said:
“It was an honour to welcome Commissioner Micallef to our Board meeting. We share the same passion for football and the goal to enhance the governance of our game that brings joy and excitement to millions of European citizens.”
Engagement with key stakeholders
On Wednesday afternoon, during the first session of the two-day Board of Directors meeting, representatives from FIFPRO Europe, the Union of European Clubs (UEC) and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) joined for bilateral discussions.
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