The Union of European Clubs notes with deep concern the comments made by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the ECA
Brussels, 12th December 2024
The Union of European Clubs notes with deep concern the comments made by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), in his recent interview with Spanish media outlet MARCA. In response to a question about the new ECA-backed Club World Cup, Mr. Al-Khelaifi said that “20-team national leagues” and other domestic tournaments are somehow “increasing” players’ workload. His remarks follow a familiar pattern: framing national leagues as the problem to justify creating more space in the international calendar for elite clubs to play exclusive tournaments among themselves.
We’ve read this script before. Mr. Al-Khelaifi’s predecessor at the ECA, Andrea Agnelli, openly advocated for reducing the size of domestic leagues to make room for additional international club fixtures. This agenda ultimately culminated in the controversial SuperLeague project, which Al-Khelaifi publicly opposed. Yet his recent remarks suggest that the same vision persists under a new guise.
At the UEC, we believe that European football’s core strength lies in its national leagues, which must remain the cornerstone of the sport. Domestic competitions are the primary stage where clubs of all sizes and their players compete, develop, and thrive. Reducing their prominence to prioritise a handful of elite clubs will only deepen the financial and competitive divide within European football, further undermining sporting merit.
The UEC also questions the narrative that international tournaments are necessary to grow football’s global appeal. Domestic leagues already attract billions in global viewership and nurture the very players and stories that drive the sport’s popularity worldwide. Rather than weakening them, we must protect and strengthen these competitions to ensure a fair, inclusive, and sustainable future for football.
With the long-term health of European football at stake, meaningful consultation is essential. Decisions driven by the preferences of a small group of elite clubs cannot come at the expense of the clubs and leagues that represent the vast majority of football stakeholders. At the UEC, we remain committed to ensuring that domestic competitions continue to thrive and that the voices of all clubs are heard and respected.
The UEC invites Mr. Al-Khelaifi to rectify his comments, whilst calling on leagues, clubs, players and fans to resist these ongoing efforts to diminish the importance of domestic competitions. Together, we can protect the integrity of European football and ensure that it remains a sport for everyone, not just the privileged few.
