Meeting of the UEC, Tuesday 18/11/2025 Brussels, The Hotel
“Challenges and Developments in the European Football Business Model”
Summary :
The current business model of European football appears to have reached its limits. The disparity between the leading clubs and the rest of the field continues to grow, signaling significant challenges for the sport's future structure and competitiveness.
Inevitability of a Super League :
There is a growing sense that the creation of a separate Super League is inevitable. This development mirrors the example set in basketball, where FIBA has already approved a distinct league format. The president of La Liga referenced this change in basketball as a possible precedent for football.
Cultural and Social Considerations
The president of FC Sankt Pauli highlighted the important cultural and social roles that football plays. He emphasized the necessity of implementing controls over the financial flows within the football system to preserve these values and ensure the sport's integrity.
The Role of Regulation
Academics present at the discussion expressed hope that greater regulation from political authorities, particularly the European Commission (EC), could help address the challenges facing European football. They see regulatory intervention as a potential means of restoring balance and fairness in the sport.
Position of the European Commission
An EC representative clarified that the European Union remains hesitant to intervene directly or impose a specific sports system. Instead, the EC prefers to play a supportive role and is willing to adopt measures that assist existing structures rather than dictate new ones.
New Proposals for Sporting Merit
Mr. Alexis Muzio, president of the EUC, introduced a new proposal from the UEC. The Player Development Reward.This proposal aims « to redustribute a portion of UEFA competition revenues to clubs that develop players »
The system aims to reward sporting merit, standing in contrast to the current FIFA model, which primarily encourages increasing transfers of players.
To be continued
