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Olsson calls for strong legal ties with EU for football's sake
FIFA & UEFA - 06 September, 2006
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Lars-Christer Olsson has reiterated his call for a solid legal framework with the European Union as the best way for football to continue developing in Europe.
Welcoming delegates to the latest plenary meeting of the 102-club European Club Forum in Nyon, Switzerland, the UEFA chief executive said he hoped his group and the clubs could work together for the wellbeing of continental football.
"Another important issue has been the presentation of the Independent Review of European Sport, following an initiative by the UK sports minister Richard Caborn," Olsson said. "The review started out focusing on football, but expanded to other sports, because several items were applicable to sport in general."
One of the starting points, he said, was tying in legally with the European Union.
"It is absolutely necessary for the future of European football to have a more secure legal framework [with the EU], which would be the best possible solution for clubs, national associations and the football governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA," Olsson said. "There are 25 EU members, but if you take bilateral agreements into account, probably 30 to 35 UEFA member associations are concerned.
"I can see the only possible way forward for the clubs and national associations is to have some kind of agreement with the EU on how things should be organised in sports in general, but in football in particular."
The independent review is expected to be presented as a proposal for future legislation during the Finnish presidency of the EU in the autumn. Next spring, during the German presidency, the hope is for a final proposal that could be accepted in time for the Portuguese presidency in autumn 2007.
Olsson called for unity as a key in making the review work.
"I also hope we can reach agreement with the clubs on how we can develop European football together," Olsson said. "I can't see a reason why we should work against each other, because there will only be winners if we can find a proper way forward."
The European Club Forum was formed in 2002 as a platform for discussion between European football's governing body and the clubs on a variety of key issues, such as the UEFA club competitions, marketing and commercial matters, media rights and club licensing.
The current meeting is also focusing on elections to the European Club Forum board.
Welcoming delegates to the latest plenary meeting of the 102-club European Club Forum in Nyon, Switzerland, the UEFA chief executive said he hoped his group and the clubs could work together for the wellbeing of continental football.
"Another important issue has been the presentation of the Independent Review of European Sport, following an initiative by the UK sports minister Richard Caborn," Olsson said. "The review started out focusing on football, but expanded to other sports, because several items were applicable to sport in general."
One of the starting points, he said, was tying in legally with the European Union.
"It is absolutely necessary for the future of European football to have a more secure legal framework [with the EU], which would be the best possible solution for clubs, national associations and the football governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA," Olsson said. "There are 25 EU members, but if you take bilateral agreements into account, probably 30 to 35 UEFA member associations are concerned.
"I can see the only possible way forward for the clubs and national associations is to have some kind of agreement with the EU on how things should be organised in sports in general, but in football in particular."
The independent review is expected to be presented as a proposal for future legislation during the Finnish presidency of the EU in the autumn. Next spring, during the German presidency, the hope is for a final proposal that could be accepted in time for the Portuguese presidency in autumn 2007.
Olsson called for unity as a key in making the review work.
"I also hope we can reach agreement with the clubs on how we can develop European football together," Olsson said. "I can't see a reason why we should work against each other, because there will only be winners if we can find a proper way forward."
The European Club Forum was formed in 2002 as a platform for discussion between European football's governing body and the clubs on a variety of key issues, such as the UEFA club competitions, marketing and commercial matters, media rights and club licensing.
The current meeting is also focusing on elections to the European Club Forum board.
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