FIFA and UEFA have signed a new agreement with the most powerful clubs in Europe that will last until 2018, as European Club Association chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge described it as “an historic day”.
At the UEFA Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, a renewed Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Rummenigge and UEFA President Michel Platini, one that “paves the way for a fruitful relationship between Europe’s football governing body and the association of European football clubs”.
Rummenigge added: “Today is a historic day for European club football. With this agreement, UEFA clearly recognises the importance of clubs and the significant contribution they make to the success of national team football.
“The agreement reflects an improved balance between national team and club football and is a great success for the European football family.
“I sincerely thank UEFA President Platini for his willingness to reach such an agreement with the clubs. Not only ECA, but all clubs in Europe should be proud of this great achievement. We all look forward to continue building the future of European football together with UEFA.”
UEFA President Michel Platini also said: “I am delighted that this memorandum of understanding is bringing together key stakeholders of the football family.
“UEFA, its national associations and the clubs have shown unity on several important matters which affect international football. This demonstrates the excellent working relationship we have with clubs and represents a true success in further strengthening the unity of the football family.”
The new agreement will run from March 22, 2012 until May 30, 2018 and includes the following points, as released in a media statement:
Insurance: Pending FIFA’s takeover of such package on a worldwide level, UEFA will establish an insurance covering the injury risk of players while on international team duty.
This insurance is valid for all players registered with a European club, irrespective of their nationality, and for all matches mentioned in the international calendar, including both official and friendly matches as from June, for the start of the UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
Participation of clubs in the benefits of the Euro 2012: Clubs will now receive an increased amount of €100 million from the UEFA EURO 2012 revenues, as recognition of the significant contribution of clubs to the success of the tournament.
This will be further increased to €150 million for the UEFA EURO 2016 in France.
Good Governance / club representation in decision-making process: In the future, the Club Competitions’ Committee, composed essentially of club representatives, will have a “Referral Right” on all decisions affecting club competitions. This reinforces the involvement of clubs in UEFA’s decision-making process.
International Calendar: To support the proposed future international calendar (so-called Status Quo Plus) that will be presented to the FIFA Executive Committee next week for approval. This calendar should basically be made up of 9 double-headers over a 2 year period with no single friendlies. The August friendly match date would be removed.
