UEFA-ECA legal event boosts relations

Relations between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) have taken another important step forward – this time in the football legal field.

The two organisations held their inaugural joint legal workshop at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille to discuss current and future legal developments and trends in European football, and their impact on European clubs at international level.

The workshop was organised exclusively for ECA member clubs and representatives. Executives and legal representatives from 54 clubs across Europe, as well as UEFA legal experts, came to Marseille to share knowledge and opinions.

Among the topics on the agenda were UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, and case law of the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The workshop also examined the campaign against match-fixing in football, key pitfalls faced by clubs over commercial contracts, and the financing of transfers.

UEFA emphasised its zero tolerance policy on match-fixing, a phenomenon which the European body sees as one of the greatest threats to football and its integrity. It shared its four key policy pillars in addressing the issue – education, legal framework, monitoring and investigations, and sanctions.

UEFA also underlined that co-operation with ECA member clubs was crucial for it to achieve its aim of regulating football competitions effectively.

It explained its financial fair play measures aimed at ensuring club football’s financial well-being, and which have successfully helped create a more stable financial environment.

UEFA reiterated its opposition to third-party ownership (TPO), which it sees as harmful to the interests of players, clubs and fans, while also undermining the standing and integrity of the game.

UEFA managing director of integrity, Emilio Garcia

The joint workshop proved to be a very good opportunity to address and clarify legal issues, exchange arguments and answer questions from the European clubs.

ECA legal advisory panel chairman and Sevilla FC CEO, José María Cruz: “A unique event”.

Cooperation between the two organisations on events like this assist in strongly developing the relationship between clubs and the governing body in European football.