The Union of European Clubs strongly opposes A22’s latest proposal, the "Unify League"
Brussels, 18th December 2024
The Union of European Clubs (UEC) strongly opposes A22’s latest proposal, the "Unify League," which represents a deeply elitist vision for European football. This concept consolidates power within a small group of wealthy clubs, marginalises the majority of leagues and teams, and leaves the broader football ecosystem at risk.
The Unify League appears to be a step towards removing UEFA from its vital governance role, effectively eliminating the limited counterweights that currently exist to balance the influence of the wealthiest clubs. At the UEC, we believe these counterweights are already deficient, with the biggest clubs holding far too much power over European football. By concentrating control further in the hands of Europe’s richest clubs, the proposal risks sidelining the majority of clubs and stakeholders, leaving critical questions unanswered about governance, decision-making, revenue distribution, and solidarity mechanisms to support smaller leagues and clubs.
Despite basing access on qualification through domestic leagues, A22's latest proposal still raises serious concerns about representation within European football. With fewer participants overall, and especially in the top two divisions, it would systematically block access to Europe’s elite competitions for clubs from smaller leagues, further undermining competitive balance and regional diversity.
The proposal also increases the physical and logistical burden on players and national leagues. Participating clubs would face between 14 and 18 matches in the new format, adding unnecessary strain to an already overloaded calendar, while forcing national leagues to compress their schedules and disrupting domestic competitions.
The UEC reiterates that the future of European football cannot be dictated by a narrow group of wealthy clubs. True progress lies in safeguarding the integrity of national leagues, supporting clubs of all sizes, and fostering a transparent, inclusive governance model that works for everyone in the football community.
