(Brussels – Friday 20 June) The European Leagues met today with Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Youth, Culture and Sport.
The delegation – composed of President Claudius Schäfer, Vice-President Mathieu Moreuil, and General Secretary Alberto Colombo – shared the perspectives of the European professional football leagues on the pressing challenges currently facing the game. Discussions focused on governance, the fight against online piracy, and the importance of the values at the core of the European Sport Model.
Complaint to the European Commission on FIFA’s governance
The meeting also provided an opportunity to address the joint complaint submitted by European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe to the European Commission against FIFA concerning their unilateral decisions on the international match calendar, including decisions relating to the FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA’s rules and conduct fall well short of what is required by EU law, and harm the economic interests of national leagues, and the health and safety of players in European football. A legal challenge before the European Commission became a necessary course of action to safeguard the European football sector which is a global cultural and entertainment powerhouse.
Combatting online piracy
During the meeting, the Leagues had the opportunity to discuss with Commissioner Micallef the online piracy of our members’ content. As the majority of Leagues’ revenues come from the sale of broadcast rights to our events, it is imperative that these rights are better protected and enforced in order to continue reinvesting significant portions of their revenues back into grassroots and communities.
The European Leagues welcomed the European Commission’s Recommendation on combatting online piracy of sports and other live events published in May 2023. However, the data show that a legislative initiative is the only effective remedy.
European Model of Sport
As the collective voice of European professional football leagues, the European Leagues reaffirmed their commitment to the Commissioner’s agenda to develop a strategy to strengthen the European Sport Model while supporting a sustainable sporting and financial ecosystem rooted in solidarity, integrity, sporting merit, and the openness of competitions.
The European Leagues look forward to continuing constructive dialogue with Commissioner Micallef while collaborating closely throughout his mandate to promote a balanced and sustainable future for European football.
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