Player transfers from Europe to Saudi Arabia last summer has raised concerns. A senior representative from the European Club Association (ECA) suggests that football is increasingly shifting its focus towards financial aspects.
🚨 The growth of the Saudi Pro League and its extensive transfer spending in Europe this summer are “making a lot of people realise that football is becoming too much about money”, according to a senior figure in the ECA. 🤑🤑🤑
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 10, 2023
(Source: Guardian) pic.twitter.com/0GEuyn9mww
The ECA is the largest club membership body in Europe and holds great influence within UEFa. Critics accuse the body of prioritizing the interests of the largest clubs.
However, according to ECA vice-chair Dariusz Mioduski, who represents Legia Warsaw, the recent surge in Saudi football has significantly altered the football landscape.
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”Perhaps in a way what has happened with Saudi investment into football is actually positive. It’s making a lot of people realise that football is becoming too much about money,” he said.
Mioduski argues that the existing financial fair play regulations are not enough to rectify the disparity between smaller leagues and those benefiting from substantial shared broadcast revenue.
There is also concern over the funding available to clubs owned by sovereign wealth funds such as Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle. It’s worth noting that Nasser al-Khelaifi, the president of PSG, concurrently serves as the chair of the ECA.
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Upcoming UEFA regulations will introduce spending limitations for clubs participating in European competitions based on their income. However, Mioduski argues that genuine levelling of the playing field can only be achieved through comprehensive reform brought about by changes in EU legislation.
”I would think that there are some concerns, especially among some of the bigger clubs, about competition from clubs owned by sovereign. Perhaps the Saudi situation and the fact that the big clubs in the big leagues feel threatened will make everyone realise that football must go in a new direction,” Mioduski said.
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Discussions about a potential European sports model are already underway between the European Union and football’s governing bodies, which could provide a future platform for change.
🚨 UEFA and the ECA will discuss a potential new format for European football from 2027:
👉 Three leagues with 18 teams (Super League, Europa League, Aspiring League)
👉 League format, each team gets to play 34 games
👉 The champion will be the ‘Super League’ leaders
👉 2 teams… pic.twitter.com/aIAljOQECX— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 2, 2023
