Annual Report of Activities 08/09

Transcription

www.epfl-europeanleagues.com
0.1 Foreword
0.2 Executive Summary
0.3 The EPFL “Great Football makes Great Things”
0.4 The 2008/2009 Season in review - “The Way Forward”
0.4.1 EPFL Structure
0.4.1 A General Assembly
0.4.1 B Board of Directors and CEO
0.4.1 C Standing Committees, Task Forces
and Working Groups
0.4.1 D Administration
0.4.1 E Members and Associate Members
0.4.2 EPFL Relations with the Football Family
0.4.2 A FIFA
0.4.2 B UEFA
0.4.3 European Social Dialogue
in the Professional Football sector
0.4.4 EU Policy
0.4.5 Protecting Leagues’ rights and
safeguarding the integrity of the game
0.4.5 A Sport Betting Integrity
0.4.5 B Protection of IP Rights
0.4.6 EPFL/FAO
Professional Football
Against Hunger Campaign
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39
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0.4.7 EPFL Events and participation
to external Conference
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0.4.8 EPFL Communication
0.4.8 A Website
0.4.8 B Web Extranet
0.4.8 C Newsletter
0.4.8 D Sports Law Bulletin
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and other publications
0.5 European Football Market 2009 (Deloitte)
0.6 Info Leagues
0.7 Annual Calendar of EPFL Activities
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CONTENT
00.
01.
Foreword
I am particularly proud to report that
the EPFL has entered a partnership
that aims to use the power of football
for good in some of the areas that need
it most.
EPFL Chairman Sir David Richards
We saw another fantastic season of football in leagues across Europe during 2008/09 season and the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) has progressed in a number of key areas. I would like to welcome the Romanian
Liga Profesionista de Fotbal and the Italian Lega Pro as new member and associate member respectively, taking our
number of member leagues to 29 and widening our representation across the continent. As the EPFL continues to
progress both on and off the pitch so too does our reputation and influence with FIFA, UEFA and other key stakeholders in the world of football and beyond.
This year has seen considerable dicsussion and debate on financial governance within the game. With different models across European leagues, and a number of variables in the way that leagues and clubs operate in areas such as
the sale of broadcasts rights and club ownership, it is certainly a complex issue. Many of these differences reflect the
traditions and legal systems of individual nations and when you take into account the fact that there are different tax
rates in each country, state aid provided in some and a mixture of municipal and private stadium ownership then it
becomes abundantly clear that it is neither practical nor desirable to come up with a ‘one size fits all’ set of financial
rules or criteria. It is down to the individual leagues and their associations to decide what is appropriate for their own
sporting and business models.
What the EPFL can do is gather good practice from all of our members, as we have done with our recently published
EPFL Report on Good Financial Governance, and share the knowledge and expertise that our different member leagues
have gained from years of experience. We hope this report will help assist our member leagues to ensure financial stability and further development in all areas of the game. The EPFL is supportive of the principle of UEFA’s plan to encourage clubs to operate sustainably, but the detail of any regulation intended for UEFA competitions will have to be carefully
considered by all the relevant stakeholders. Some have suggested that a system linking wages to turnover might be the
answer but that seems a blunt instrument that would only serve to protect the current crop of successful clubs and ‘kick
away the ladder’ from other clubs looking to bulid, challenge for honours and ‘live the dream’.
Another topic that has be high on the EPFL agenda this year is the training and development of young players. All
of our leagues care about the future of the game and understand that it is vital to ensure the protection of children
and young people in professional football. With that in mind we are fully supportive of FIFA’s new regulations on the
movement of young players. FIFA are to be commended for coming up with rules that understand the legal framework of the EU by allowing young players to transfer to clubs within Europe between the ages of 16 and 18 provided
that a number of conditions, including clubs agreeing on compensation and high levels of education and training, are
appropriately met. Many a commentator has had their view on the transfer of young players but one element that
must never be forgotten is the right of the individual player to be able to better themselves both in a sporting and
educational context. Compensation and appropriate levels of education and training are hugely important, however
the rights of young people must continue to be a key part of this debate.
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REPORT OF ACTIVITIES08’09
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01.
FOREWORD
The European Social Dialogue Forum, now in it’s second year, sees the EPFL continue to work with a number of bodies, including the European Commission and UEFA, to promote the common interests held by our members. Representing more than 930 clubs across Europe we are ideally placed to play a key role in such areas as the training and
development of players and contractual stability – both of which are critical to the continued strength of the European
game. We will continue to use the Forum reinforce the successful self-regulatory model of professional football.
I would like to end by thanking all member leagues and EPFL staff for contributing to what was a well-run and very
productive General Assembly held in Moscow in the summer. The game never ceases to change, both on and off
the pitch, and the ongoing challenge for us is to keep representing the interest of our member leagues by working
together with football partners and other key stakeholders using the undoubted collective skills and experience the
EPFL represents.
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02.
Executive Summary
At the EPFL, we only promise what we
are capable of delivering.
And we always deliver what we promise!
EPFL CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros
At the dawn of the 2008/2009 season, when we presented our Global Strategy Plan, we promised a new vision on the
future of Professional Football in Europe. A true reformist vision, formalized in writing and guided by a list of fundamental principles and solid values. Aimed to proactively meet the paramount challenges facing the game and positively
transform its landscape.
And, in October 2008, gathering unanimous support from all sides, the EPFL Declaration of Principles on the Future of
Professional Football in Europe was approved. Embodying the strategic thinking, main priorities and genuine commitments of all those who have the privilege, but also the responsibility of administering day-to-day Professional Football
at the national level: our member Leagues.
At the dawn of the season, we said we would further strengthen our relationship with UEFA, FIFA and other key stakeholders. And, yes, we did it!
Following months of intensive negotiations, in March 2009 a new Memorandum of Understanding between UEFA and
the EPFL was born. Sparking a new era of constructive dialogue and enhanced cooperation between both organisations,
the revised Memorandum reinforced the institutional recognition and role of the EPFL, strengthening our representation
and participation at UEFA’s decision-making bodies and acknowledging, for the first time ever, the fundamental principal
of subsidiarity in football.
With the same spirit, close relations and constructive collaboration were also developed between FIFA and the EPFL, in
areas of common concern and relevant interest, not only to European football, but the whole football world as well, such
as the international movement of players, youth protection, transfer matching system, international match calendar and
many other matters in which we have dully engaged our member Leagues and associate members.
During such period, the EPFL has also developed a closer and sound cooperative relationship with ECA, while regular
contacts were maintained with FIFPro on matters of relevance for both clubs and players, as well as with other key
stakeholders.
At the dawn of the season, we also said we would further strengthen our positive and sound influence vis-à-vis the political sphere, both at the European and national level, in areas where public policy is most needed to protect and further
develop football´s legitimate interests. And, yes, we did it too!
Reflecting the European Union’s acknowledgment of the EPFL’s credentials as a respected and influential voice in the
European scenery, the EPFL has been actively engaged in all key issues facing the modern world of sport and the football cluster. As the following pages of this report will show, our views have been sought and indeed espoused by the
European institutions and national Governments.
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02.
Executive Summary
As the largest and most pre-eminent employers’ representatives, with the responsibility of promoting and safeguarding
the common interests of more than 930 professional clubs across Europe, we said it was time to set up a proper social
dialogue platform at the European level. And, on the 1st of July 2008, we actually did it!
Fostering stable relations between clubs and players and greater contractual stability, the launch of the European
Social Dialogue, under the auspices of the European Commission, truly heralded a new era in terms of football governance, reinforcing the self-regulatory nature of Professional Football and problem solving.
Because we care for the future of the game, because we think it is vital to ensure the protection of children and young
people in football, and because we believe that recruitment, training and education of young players is essential to ensure football’s long term interests and future development, at the dawn of the 2008/2009 football season we promised to
take a positive and proactive stance to identify best practices in this field and work towards its implantation and development across our member Leagues.
And so, culminating months of arduous discussions and wide consultations, in June 2009 we have finally approved our
General Recommendations on the Recruitment, Training, Education and Protection of Young Players in Europe,
which are now being followed by Leagues and clubs across the continent.
Because we care for the integrity of the game, because we consider that the Leagues are entitled to receive a fair financial return from betting companies that exploit their legitimate rights for commercial purposes, we promised to take
vigorous action on their behalf. And, we did it!
Right in July 2008, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Sports Security Agency (ESSA), aimed to detect and prevent any irregular betting patterns and potential insider betting situations.
More recently, further preventive measures have been recommended to our member Leagues, to further protect
sports betting integrity, reinforce public’s confidence in the authenticity of match results and, thus, promote the
indispensible credibility of the game. In addition, a wide and vigorous politic campaign was launched vis-à-vis
the European and national law-makers, to promote and enforce a new regulatory framework, in Europe and beyond, to effectively protect our Leagues’ and clubs’ commercial and intellectual property rights and, thus, ensure
football’s economic viability.
In a time of unprecedented global economic recession and increasing indebtedness of clubs, we promised to increase
our assistance to our member Leagues and promote a set of best practice recommendations to ensure football’s financial stability and further development.
And, thus, in June 2009, culminating eight months of hard work, we presented the EPFL Report on Good Financial Governance at the National Level. A remarkable document, which provides to the Leagues - and indeed to
the whole football community and general public - a comprehensive understanding of the different regulatory
and financial initiatives implemented in European Professional Football and a portray of some best practice
measures that may be considered by individual Leagues to improve the national systems and regulations and,
thus, ensure the highest financial management standards. In accordance with our pre-established action plan,
a wide range of other initiatives is now in motion, to support our member Leagues and their affiliated clubs - in
particular the most vulnerable ones - in overcoming the adverse impact of the global economic slowdown and
attract new business opportunities.
At the beginning of the season, following the successful re-brand of our Association, we also promised to enhance our
communication channels with our member Leagues and develop a new set of initiatives and services to better respond
to their practical needs and aspirations. And, as promised, we have delivered it!
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The EPFL Information and Mediation Unit, the EPFL Official Website, the EPFL Extranet, the EPFL Sports Law Bulletin, the
EPFL Online Newsletter and many other innovative initiatives were launched and welcomed, with a resounding support,
not only by our members and associate members, but by the whole football community, media and general public as well.
With a clear notion that football is much more than a game and that our responsibilities go far beyond the field of play,
we promised to join FAO at the forefront of the fight against world hunger. And, yes, we did it too!
We did it, because we felt it was our indeclinable moral duty. Because we believe that the right to food is a basic human
right and cannot be denied to any individual. And, so, joined by FAO and numerous Leagues, we have launched the “Professional Football Against Hunger Campaign”. Delivered in more than one hundred stadiums across Europe in a single
weekend, this unprecedented and ambitious campaign has touched deeply many hearts and mobilized many people of
goodwill across the planet, raising greater awareness about the intolerable drama of more than one billion human beings that currently suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
At the EPFL, we definitively deliver what we promise!
For the fourth consecutive season, we have grown in size (with the admission of new member Leagues), in responsibilities and in influence.
Our mission was not deprived of difficulties. But, with strategic vision, bold determination and a strong sense of duty, we
can all proudly say that we have, indeed, accomplished our goals. This was only possible thanks to the constant support
of all our members and associate members and the active involvement of their representatives, as well as the political
support of our Board of Directors and the tireless effort of a small but dedicated and highly competent administration.
To all of them, a heartfelt word of appreciation is owed.
And, now, as we stand on the threshold of a new football season, let us renew our commitment to continue moving the
EPFL forward.
Because the range of opportunities is so great, let us strengthen our common sense of purpose and unity.
As we enter into our fifth year of existence as a legal entity, let us go forward.
Let us be bold in our determination to meet the challenges ahead.
With a clear notion of our legitimacy. And our collective responsibility.
Representing the interests of all our members and associate members to the best of our ability.
And – because it’s in our nature - let us go forward with confidence. Unbreakable confidence.
Confidence that, we, the Association of European Professional Football Leagues, faithful to the beliefs we share, the
values we honor and the principles we hold dear, will further lead the way to Professional Football across Europe.
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The EPFL: “Great Football makes Great Things”.
Presidents of the European Professional Football Leagues
Andrzej Rusko
Antonio Matarrese
Bosse Johansson
Branko Florjanic
Eamon Naughton
Ernst Ravnaas
Mr. Frédéric Thiriez
Hannu Rautiainen
Herminio Loureiro
Ivan De Witte
Jean Pierre
José Luis Astiazaran
Lex Gold
Lord Mawhinney
Martin Sturkenboom
Martin Pucher
Michael van Praag
Nikolay Tolstykh
Peter Rees
Thomas Grimm
Sviatoslav Syrota
Reinhard Rauball
Sergey Pryadkin
David Richards
Thomas Christensen
Valentin Mihov
Konstantinos Piladakis
Dumitru Dragomir
José Luis Astiazaran
Polish Professional Football
League
President
of the Veikkausliiga
Federatie Betaald Voetbal
Organisaties
Bundes Liga (GER)
Lega Nazionale
Professionisti Calcio
President of the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional
Bundes Liga (Aut)
RFPL
Foreningen Swenks
Elitfotboll
Ligue Professionnelle
de Football
Eredivisie NV
Chairman of the English
Premier League
President of the Union
of 1.SNL
Louvel UCPF
Association Professional
Football League
Divisionforeningen
Eircom League of Ireland
Liga Nacional de
Futbol Profesional
Welsh Premier League
Bulgarian Professioanl
Football League
Norsk Toppfotbal
Ligue de Football
Professionnel
Scottish Premier League
The Football League
Swiss Football League
League of Ukraine
Super League Greece
Liga Profesionista de Fotbal
Board of Directors
David Richards
Mr. Frédéric Thiriez
Antonio Matarrese
Frank Rutten
Lex Gold
Reinhard Rauball
Sergey Pryadkin
Valentin Mihov
Chairman of the English
Premier League
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Ligue de Football
Professionnel
Bundes Liga
Annual
Lega Nazionale
Professionisti Calcio
RFPL
Eredivisie NV
Bulgarian Professioanl
Football League
Liga Nacional de
Futbol Profesional
CEO
Dr. Emanuel Macedo
de Medeiros
CEO of EPFL
The EPFL: “Great Football
makes Great Things.”
.03
History of the EPFL
During the last decades, the sporting and political climate throughout the world, especially in Europe, experienced a
natural evolution, creating a great deal of challenges to all those involved. The professional aspect of the game and its
relevant constituents were not exempted from this development and the impact on the economic, social, sporting and
political aspects of football.
As a consequence of this increasingly demanding football scenery, the Association of European Union Premier Professional Football Leagues (EUPPFL) was created in 1997, as there was a need for an organisation to represent the views
and positions of Leagues and clubs on matters of mutual interest and concern.
The EPFL Family
The 12 founding members of the EUPPFL were the national European Union Premier Professional Football Leagues of
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Holland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain.
After that transcendent moment, history was made again on the 6th of June 2005. The Member Leagues agreed on signing its Constitution and transformed the grouping created in 1997 into a legal entity. It was the first step towards a new
era in terms of football governance.
The EPFL ‘Raison d’être’
The Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) is a non-profit sporting organisation dedicated to
constructively represent the common views of the Leagues and the Clubs across Europe – all Clubs, regardless of their
sporting or economic dimensions. It gives the Leagues a proper forum and privileged platform to decide how best to deal
the questions facing the modern world of sport and business.
The EPFL’s mission is well-known. The Association embodies the common voice of Professional Football Leagues, fostering co-operation, friendly relations and unity between all its Members. And, exploring joint synergies with football authorities and relevant stakeholders, it aims to positively transform and add significant value to the football fabric of Europe.
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With reformist spirit and proactive attitude, the EPFL generates new internal and external dynamics and synergies, and
is engaged in all key issues facing Professional Football. The EPFL is a democratic, open and transparent Association.
With firm principles, solid values, strong reformist spirit and social sensibility, on and off the field of game. Since its
creation, the EPFL has worked together with the members of the Football Family and the political sphere with a clear
and ambitious vision. A vision aimed to capitalise on the intrinsic values of European Professional Football and promote
its political, social, cultural, economic and educational dimensions, in order to have a positive impact on the game.
Enhanced democracy, reformism, pro-activity and the real knowledge of the needs and aspirations of the professional
side of the game, e.g. the Leagues and their affiliated clubs, are some of the key pillars which guide our action. These
have been indeed values which have inspired the successful activity performed by the EPFL and our affiliated Leagues.
While sport is a unique sector, with its different specificities, the EPFL builds efforts to attain its main objectives:
• To foster co-operation, friendly relations and unity between our Members and Associate Members;
• To promote the game of professional association football in every appropriate way and safeguard the overall interests of Members and Associate Members;
• To facilitate the collection and exchange of information between Members and Associate Members;
• To maintain a unified system in respect of the movement of players between Members and Associate Members of
the Association;
• To enhance and strengthen the relationship between the EPFL, Member Leagues and affiliated Clubs;
• To fulfil and comply with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Leagues and UEFA, and ratified
by FIFA, and also collaborate with both organisations to achieve the best solutions on key issues affecting football;
• To enhance cooperation between the Association and organisations representing players and consider Social Dialogue issues at a European level and acting as a recognised social partner representing the employers;
• To endorse and protect the specificity, autonomy and subsidiarity of and within football; and finally,
• To cooperate in all relevant initiatives and consultation processes referred to professional football.
The EPFL and our Member and Associate Member Leagues are, thus, fully aware of their role.
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The EPFL Members
and Associate Members
The Association currently represents the 27 largest European Professional Football Leagues, 2 Associations
of Clubs and hundreds of professional clubs across
Europe. Since its constitution the EPFL has doubled in
terms of affiliated members and associate members.
Whilst we already cover almost all existing Leagues
in the continent, we believe that there is still room to
further expand and possibly embrace newly formed
Leagues. As a matter of fact, new Leagues have already
expressed their intention of joining the EPFL and formal procedures are now in course.
The EPFL Member and Associate Member Leagues have
legal personality and are endowed – in most cases by law
itself – with powers of self-governance, self-administration, self-organisation and self-regulation. Moreover,
they are legally and statutory vested with powers to represent the employers (the professional Clubs) in all labourrelated matters, besides being responsible for the good
and successful governance and administration of the professional game at national level.
EPFL Chairman Sir David Richards
The EPFL Structure
The General Assembly is the supreme body of the EPFL.
And it is currently composed by our 23 Members and 6
Associate Members. It is the legislative body of the EPFL
and it determines the general policies of the Association
under the chairmanship of Sir Dave Richards.
INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(29 Leagues)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(9 Members)
UEFA & FIFA
OTHER BODIES
European &
International
Institutions
Football, Social and
Economic Forum
Chairmen
Sir David Richards
Deputy Chairmen
Frédéric Thiriez
Members
Frédéric Thiriez (FRA)
Antonio Matarrese (ITA)
Frank Rutten (NED)
José Luis Astiazarán (ESP)
Lex Gold (SCT)
Reinhard Rauball (GER)
Sergey Pryadkin (RUS)
Valentin Mihov (BUL)
EPFL STANDING
COMMITTEES
Professional Football Finance
European Union Affairs
Social Dialogue
Rerereeing Matters
Competitions
Marketing and Media
Commission Against
Violence in Professional
Football THE CEO
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (POR)
Social Responsibility
Players ’Transfers and Players’ Agent
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Attaining a democratic and participative environment, the members of the General Assembly endorsed the Association’s
long term and short strategies and objectives.
The EPFL General Assembly played indeed a crucial role, debating relevant matters, building consensus among the
various members and associate members and ensuring their indispensable support to a number of crucial projects. By
drawing upon the collective expertise of our members and joining forces to develop a focused strategy, the EPFL General
Assembly was vital to ensure the development of effective and cohesive positions on issues of common concern.
Attaining a democratic and participative environment, the members of the General Assembly endorsed the Association’s
long term and short strategies and objectives.
The EPFL General Assembly played indeed a crucial role, debating relevant matters, building consensus among the various
members and associate members and ensuring their indispensable support to a number of crucial projects. By drawing
upon the collective expertise of our members and joining forces to develop a focused strategy, the EPFL General Assembly
was vital to ensure the development of effective and cohesive positions on issues of common concern.
The General Assembly is the governing body of the Association and determines its general policy. It is composed of all Members and Associate Members. Within this body, all discussions and activities were performed in a democratic and transparent
fashion. Comprehensive information was constantly provided to our Members and Associate Members in order to enable them
to take the most suitable and appropriate decisions and adopt a collective standpoint and action plans accordingly.
The current Board of Directors of the EPFL was elected on the 14th of November 2007, at a General Assembly held in
Madrid. With its Chairman at the helm, it is entrusted with the management and political guidance of the Association and
consists of nine members, each one elected for a term of three years.
EPFL General Assembly - London, October 2008
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EPFL Directors at work
The EPFL’s Executive also takes part in the Board’s decision-making, whit whom he works intimously. The CEO is specifically
responsible for the daily management of the Association and carrying out the strategy necessary to meet the Association’s objectives, coordinating the Association with FIFA, UEFA and any other sports institutions or football leagues or other political institutions and non governmental entities organised at a national and European level.
Standing Committees, Working Groups
The Standing Committees perform an advisory function and are coordinated by the CEO. Their primary tasks are to
monitoring any issue which falls under its respective scope, identifying possible problems and making recommendations for implementation by the EPFL to be submitted to the Board of Directors, CEO and/or General Assembly for final
consideration and decision.
EPFL Players’ Transfer and Players’ Agents Committee
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EPFL Standing Committees
REREREEING MATTERS
The Football Social and Economic Forum has also a consultative nature. Its
primary objective is to provide an open and constructive platform to all those
who wish to share their views and concerns on social and economic matters
of relevant interest, identifying possible problems and making recommendations for the implementation by the EPFL.
International Cooperation
The EPFL has developed intense activities at European and world level,
strengthening its co-operative relationships with its Members and Associate Members, as well as with several entities and institutions within both the
sporting and political field.
Relationship between the EPFL and other Football Bodies
Richard Caborn, Chairman of the EPFL Forum
On the Football’s side, the EPFL has an official partnership with UEFA by means of a Memorandum of Understanding
signed by both parties in 1998 and revised in 2000, 2005 and, finally, in 2009. The revised Memorandum of Understanding
formalised a positive and strengthen spirit of co-operation between UEFA and the EPFL. The agreement ensures the participation of EPFL in the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council and other relevant bodies, bringing the views of the
Leagues straight into the framework and decision-making process of the European Confederation.
Following the EPFL’s official recognition by FIFA on September 2006, several bilateral meetings between the EPFL and
the world football governing body have been held to discuss matters of relevance not just to Europe, but the entire world
as well (e.g. international calendar, players’ agents and transfers, trafficking of young players, international calendars,
competitions, club licensing systems, release of players for national teams, etc.).
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UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council
During the same period, the EPFL has also reinforced its relationship with FIFFro and developed a positive and constructive dialogue process aimed to further enhance the social concertation between both parties. The establishment
of the European Social Dialogue Committee in Professional Football sector is an eloquent testimony of the excellent
co-operation nurtured by both social partners.
Under such constructive spirit, both EPFL and FIFPro have participated in each others Conferences and other relevant initiatives which have culminated with the recent launch of the alluded European Social Dialogue in Professional Football Sector.
Meeting with the Association Culture Foot Solidaire at FIFA Headquarter
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Fruitful cooperation was also developed between the EPFL and ECA in areas of common concern.
Relationship between the EPFL and the International Institutions
On the institutional front, the EPFL has reinforced its co-operation with the European Governmental Institutions and
constructively collaborated with MEPs and Commission’s officials in the definition and implementation of an EU policymaking in the area of sport to further promote the sound and stable development of Professional Football and jointly
tackle issues of common concern where public policy is welcome and indeed needed.
The EPFL has played an active role in all sports-related
projects and initiatives promoted by the European Union institutions, such as, but not limited to, the European Commission’s White Paper on Sport. Representing our members and associate members interests,
we advocated a number of concrete and long-overdue
reforms to meet the many challenges and threats currently facing Sport, in general, and Professional Football, in particular.
Furthermore, the EPFL has been actively involved in the
area of Social Responsibility, developing the Professional Football Against Hunger Campaign in co-operation with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of
the United Nations (FAO), to join forces to fight against
global hunger, and collaborating with the Association
Culture Foot-Solidaire to tackle the rising problem of
trafficking of young players.
EPFL Delegation visits FAO TeleFood project in Egypt
Launch of the European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football Sector
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The 2008/2009 Season in review – “The Way Forward”
With strategic vision and a clear notion of priorities, the Association has established the following core objectives for the
reporting period:
1. To define the EPFL’s strategic Vision on the Future of Prof. Football in Europe and promote its implementation.
2. To consolidate the EPFL/Leagues’ role and instituition recognition, ensuring their legitimate engagement in all
key issues facing Prof. Football.
3. To strenghten cohesion, unity, collaboration and joint action between EPFL and members and Associate Members.
4. To identify/implement best practices in order to enhance the Leagues/clubs standards and positively shape the
future of Prof. Football.
5. To respond to Leagues’ needs and aspirations by providing them with relevant services, practical support and
full assistance.
6. To maintain/develop enhanced co-operation with UEFA, FIFA, ECA, FIFPro and other sports organisations and political instituitions as appropriate.
7. To strenghten the EPFL’s positive visibility and sound influence (football family, political sphere, media and society in general).
The 2008/09 season proved to be both challenging and rewarding.
EPFL General Assembly - Warsaw, July 2008
The EPFL structure provides the basis for the Leagues to maintain and build its reputation, both at European and international level, as an efficient organisation that takes seriously its role and responsibilities in the whole football environment.
There have been several important matters within Professional Football, both on and off the field, during this very demanding season. It is at times of the global crisis, such as the one we are currently facing, that the collective strength
and collaborative spirit of the Leagues and the EPFL’s leading role are of utmost importance to transfor all adversities
into opportunities of success.
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The 2008/2009 Season in review
– “The Way Forward”
At the beginning of the season 2008/2009, strategic priorities were established, underpinned by four primary objectives:
• Recognition of the EPFL role within the European football landscape
• Contribution to the organisation and proper governance, on and off the pitch, of professional football at international and national level
• Development of the cultural, economic, educational and social aspects of Europe by making use of the intrinsic
values of football and its constituents, e.g. Leagues and clubs, and the employment of suitable policies towards
the accomplishment of such a goal
• Pursuance of the EPFL vision and guiding principles and its effective communication to football organisations,
political authorities, media and general public
We are now proud to report that all the above mentioned objectives were dully achieved.
In addition, on October 2008, the General Assembly unanimously approved “The EPFL Declaration of principles on
the Future of Professional Football in Europe”. Holding true historical value, this document sets out the European
Leagues vision and priorities on the protection and further development of professional football in Europe, and the
EPFL’s genuine willingness to continuing working with UEFA and FIFA as well as other stakeholders in order to find
proper solutions for the good of the game.
This was really a great momentous for professional football, and sport in general, since those principles signify the
EPFL’s strategic direction and the primary objectives that the Leagues shall be committed in pursuing to the full during
the next following years.
GA Moscow - 24 June 2009
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The EPFL has also set the agenda and led the debate on many vital issues. The Association encouraged positive dialogue and exchange of views amongst its members and associate members and created proper channels of information and debate in order to jointly find the solutions to the several matters that shape the way football is administrated
currently in Europe.
The EPFL also continued building and intensifying the relationship with football bodies. We have used our influence
to improve the game in Europe in close co-operation with UEFA, FIFA, ECA, FIFPro and other bodies, keeping all our
member and associate members dully engaged in the process so that their views were properly taken into account by
the relevant decision-makers. We have worked closely with these organisations across all areas with an impact on the
game, including educational and training standards for young people, European clubs competitions, financial governance, players’ transfers and agents, contractual stability, among many others, where the professional side of our sport
continues to strive for the very highest standards.
The good relationship we have built with UEFA and FIFA was manifested by the active involvement and representation of
the EPFL within their decision-making and advisory structures.
Reflecting the common aspirations of both the EPFL and UEFA, a revised Memorandum of Understanding was signed
on the 26th of March 2009. This Memorandum reaffirms the valuable partnership developed by both entities throughout
many years. This philosophy shall continue shaping our attitudes and policies over the next seasons.
The EPFL recognises its responsibility to society as a whole. We have therefore used the overwhelming popularity of
football to tackle many of the major concerns and detrimental phenomenon which affect our society. Most notably, and
for the first time in our history, high significance was given to the remarkable Pan-European campaign organised by the
EPFL and its Member Leagues across Europe, which attracted considerable interest and praise from the public opinion
and the media. Developed in co-operation with FAO, the EPFL and the Leagues launched an unprecedented crusade
against hunger in the world.
This season, our great achievements are in part a
consequence of the successful football showed by our
29 European Professional Leagues at national level,
making our European game the most popular in the
world. The EPFL did much outside the pitch in order to
ensure that this success continue in the future. In fact,
off the field the EPFL, and the Leagues, once again
faced some important challenges. Some of the most
significant ones came from the European political institutions, such as the implementation of the European
Commission White Paper on Sport and the European
Parliament Report on Integrity of Online Gambling.
We have constantly expressed the united voice of our
Members and Associate Members to European policymakers, promoting meetings with the European Commission, Council of Europe, European Parliament and
national Governments, amongst other political entities, in order to clarify our position and safeguarding
at all times the Leagues’ legitimate interests. Particularly those related with the exploitation of their intellectual property rights.
EPFL and ESSA to sign Memorandum of Understanding
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04.
Furthermore, the EPFL and the Leagues have been engaged in all consultation processes and other initiatives launched
by EU institutions and national governments with direct or indirect implications in the professional game, such as the
study on players’ agents, the definition of the specificity of sport and the autonomy of its representative structures, the
preservation of the principle of subsidiarity, the advantages of the club licensing systems, the protection of the intellectual property rights and the fight against illegal betting to ensure integrity of sport competitions. These and many other
vital sporting and political affairs were placed high on the European Union’s agenda and merited our active involvement
and reformist input.
Last season also heralded the launch and implementation of a variety of strategic co-operative agreements, which
offered to the EPFL and the inherent partners the opportunity to leverage on possible synergies in order to effectively
tackle many issues related with professional football.
More Leagues have joined the EPFL family. This has enlarged our representativeness and structure, and further
strengthens the EPFL’s undisputable role as the common voice of the Professional Football Leagues in Europe. For
this reason, the EPFL was invited to actively participate and put across the unified voice of the Leagues in a number of
conferences organised by political and sporting organisations, academic institutions and private investors. Additionally,
many of those events also provided our Members and Associate Members new commercial opportunities and stages to
network with other key actors of the sport industry.
On the other hand, the Association established a series of visits and meetings with its members and their affiliated
clubs, developing closer relations and getting more acquainted of their needs, objectives and concerns with the foremost
intention of outlining services and initiatives to effectively fulfill their expectations.
Having been officially recognized as the largest and most pre-eminent football employers’ representative at European
level, the EPFL played a major role in launching and developing the European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football Sector. This has been achieved with full involvement of our members and associate members who are the sole
employers’ representatives at the national level.
Another important milestone was the creation of the EPFL Information and Mediation Unit. Throughout the season, this
Unit has continued to assess and benchmark best practices applicable in domestic Professional Football and provided
tailored knowledge to the Leagues in a variety of key issues, helping them to further develop all areas of their core business. With this objective in mind, the Association kept on coordinating the work and decisions of all its advisory bodies
(Standing Committees, Working Groups and Task Forces) to implement a range of recommendations and initiatives
aimed at boosting their competitions and the football structure at all levels. Thanks to the intensive work performed
by Leagues’ experts participating in those bodies, during this season 2008/2009 the EPFL was able to has submit to its
members and other relevant stakeholders a number of new proposals, schemes and processes, in line with the needs
and concerns of the Leagues, particularly focused on youth development and good financial governance, taking in an
array of opinions from inside and outside the game and validating the progress that is already being made by national
football bodies across identified areas within domestic football. This showed that the EPFL and its affiliated Leagues
are committed to sound corporate governance, as the introduction of a comprehensive and methodic Report on Good
Financial Governance at the National Level and the production of non-binding guidelines and policy recommendations
on youth development have revealed.
2008/2009 was also a period of meticulous operations in order to communicate the EPFL and Leagues’ vision, mission
and actions.
Our Official Website (www.epfl-europeanleagues.com) was launched in July 2008, and rapidly became one of the
quickest and easiest ways for all pertinent recipients to receive, follow and check the latest information on the EPFL and
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our members and associate members activities. There were regular news stories relating to the Association’s activities
on our website, as well as an up to date list of activities performed by the Leagues.
A growing awareness of the information service we offer, coupled with the increase in the popularity of the EPFL, led to
a significant rise in terms of the number of information requests we have received.
In line with this, we launched, over the season, the newly created EPFL Newsletter, which more regularly covers our
and the Leagues’ entire spectrum of daily work and accomplishments for the complete awareness of thousands of recipients, from clubs to media agencies.
Besides the website, the communication strategy comprised a number of publications on professional football issues.
In addition, on the operations side, the EPFL communication unit coped with media requests and press conferences
and hosted several European and national media queries throughout the season, strengthening the steady and sound
contact with the press and properly conveying our constructive vision to the football world.
The EPFL will continue to strive to meet the many challenges thrown in its path, both on and off the pitch. We will continue to invest time and resources in all football-related projects to make sure, while ensuring a sustainable and self
sufficient football, that our Leagues remain the focal point of the professional game.
The past twelve months have seen us build on the foundations we have laid with so much effort, positive co-operation and
solid commitment of all our Member Leagues and Associate Members. Our fourth season as a legal entity has highlighted
how important the work of the EPFL and our affiliated is – both on and off the field of game.
04.1
Enhancing Football’s Standards…
Shaping the Future of Professional
Football.
EPFL Structure
A. General Assembly
The General Assembly, as the main deliberative body of the EPFL, is composed by representatives of the 29 Member
Leagues and Associate Members, under the chairmanship of Sir Dave Richards (also Chairman of the Premier League).
The EPFL Global Strategy Plan, which underpinned our activities over the reporting period, has been developed Twith the support
of the General Assembly, proving indeed to be very beneficial to mark the right direction and achieve the established objectives.
In 2008/2009, the General Assembly met for four ordinary meetings:
Month
Date
Place
Activity
July
30 July 2008
Warsaw
General Assembly
October
8 October 2008
London
General Assembly
March
5 March 2009
Copenhagen
General Assembly
June
23 June 2009
Moscow
General Assembly
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04.
During this season, matters of utmost significance were
addressed by the General Assembly, and crucial decisions were adopted.
Within a democratic and participative environment, the
members of the General Assembly formally endorsed
the Association’s long term and short strategies and
goals.
Aware of the Leagues’ main responsibilities, the General Assembly approved, on the 8th of October 2008, the
EPFL Declaration of Principles on the future of Professional Football in Europe. The principles, priorities
and vision described in such Declaration reflect our
Association’s positive and constructive approach and
the common concerns and aspirations of our Member
Leagues and Associate Members, which fully provide
their inputs and endorsement to this project. Embodying a strong reformist spirit and social conscience, the
comprehensive list of priorities contain therein also
represents the expression of the EPFL’s willingness to
continue working closely with UEFA, FIFA and other key
stakeholders, and to further enhance our cooperative
relationship with the European Union institutions and
Member States in areas where public policy is indispensible.
Another important measure approved by the EPFL
General Assembly was the development of a document
containing General Recommendations on Recruitment,
Training, Education and Protection of Young Players.
The Leagues have addressed the protection of young
players and the position of training clubs and considered different measures and policies related to the enhancement and protection of training and development
of young talents, including the fight against trafficking
and exploitation of minors, with the purpose of finding
workable and efficient solutions to respond to such
concerns and ensure the implementation of best practice in this field.
EPFL General Assembly - Warsaw, July 2008
EPFL General Assembly - London, October 2008
EPFL General Assembly Copenhagen March 5th 2009
In addition, the representatives of the Leagues participating in our main decision-making body had the opportunity to address with both, UEFA and FIFA authorities,
on some of the measures presented so far on youth development, such as the so-called “Home-Grown Players’
Rule” and “6+5 Rule”.
GA Moscow - 24 June 2009
24
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They have also been permanently reported and engaged on:
• The status and format of the UEFA inter-Club Competitions for the three-year cycle between 2009 and 2012, as
well as the relevant distribution of revenues and solidarity payments.
• The amendments and innovations introduced to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players
• The UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council’s (PFSC) proposal on the “Protection of Young Players and Encouragement of Youth Development”
• The implementation of the FIFA Transfer Matching System and peculiarities of this scheme
• The UEFA proposal to reinforce the UEFA Club Licensing System, in particular its financial criteria
• A comprehensive diagnosis of the different national regulatory frameworks existing in Europe with regard to football financial matters
• Political initiatives and proposals at EU level, namely the EU Sports Forum and the implementation of the EC White
Paper on Sport, as well as the priorities of the French and Czech Presidency of the European Union in the area of sport
• The work and decisions performed by the different advisory bodies of the EPFL on matters related with professional football
• The appointment of the EPFL representatives for UEFA and FIFA advisory bodies (e.g. FIFA Sub-committee to the
Players’ Status Commission, UEFA Working Group on Match Calendars, etc.) and their work and initiatives directly
or indirectly impacting on the Leagues and their national competitions
• Development and activities of the EPFL-FAO Campaign “Professional Football Against Hunger”
• Policies and measures to ensure ‘Contractual Stability’
• The latest developments on the operations of the European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football sector
• EPFL Membership of the EU Alcohol Forum
• The process and status of the European Parliament Report on Betting Integrity
• The EPFL activities in order to safeguard the legitimate intellectual property rights of the Leagues and the details
of some cases with significant influence for sport in this area, such as the QC Leisure Case, YouTube vs. Premier
League Case, among others.
• The Admission of new Member Leagues and Associate Members
• The implementation of the EPFL Strategy on Betting Integrity in Professional Football, including the execution of
the Memorandum of Understanding with ESSA
• The FIFA and National Dispute Resolutions Chambers
The General Assembly was also responsible for the democratic election of the four EPFL members for the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council.
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04.
Following the elections carried out by the EPFL General Assembly of 24 June 2009, the EPFL Representation at the UEFA
Professional Football Strategy Council (for the term 2009-2011) is composed as follows:
Sir David Richards (ENG)
Chairman of the EPFL and Chairman
of The Premier League
Frédéric Thiriez (FRA)
Deputy Chairman of the EPFL and
President of the French Professional Football League
Holger Hieronymus (GER)
COO of the DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga
Frank Rutten (NED)
Member of the EPFL Board of Directors
and CEO of the Eredivisie NV
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (POR)
Invited by the UEFA President as permanent observer
CEO of the Association of European Professional
Football Leagues
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Annual
The General Assembly has shown to be an effective forum
for exchange of views and development of activities within
a self-governing and transparent environment, taking the
most suitable decisions based on comprehensive information, clear communication and a complete understanding
of the situation of each topic and the national realities existing across Europe. Its collective standpoint and action
plans are a true evidence of the united voice conveyed by all
our Members and Associate Members to the football world
and political community, in Europe and beyond.
.04
B. Board of Directors and CEO
The Board of Directors and the CEO have worked intensively to meet the Association’s strategic goals.
The Board of Directors met six times during the season 2009-10.
Ordinary meetings of the EPFL Board of Directors
Month
Date
Place
Activity
July
21 July 2008
Lisbon
Board of Directors
October
6 October 2008
London
Board of Directors
January
27 January 2009
Nyon
Board of Directors
March
4 March 2009
Copenhagen
Board of Directors
May
28 May 2009
Edinburgh
Board of Directors
June
23 June 2009
Moscow
Board of Directors
EPFL Board of Directors Meeting in Moscow
EPFL Board of Directors Meeting in Lisbon
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04.
In pursuance of the approved Global Strategy Plan, several matters have been placed high on the Board’s agenda and
merited full attention from its members and the CEO:
• Memorandum of Understanding between UEFA and EPFL
•E
PFL Declaration of Principles on the Future of Professional Football in Europe
•E
PFL General Recommendations on Recruitment, Training, Education and Protection of Young Players
•E
valuation of the work performed by the different bodies of the European Social Dialogue in professional football
•A
nalysis of the issues to be addressed in the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council meetings
•A
nalysis of the different national frameworks concerning financial issues in football
ssessment of the EPFL/FAO United Nations Campaign against world hunger.
•A
•R
elations with football governing entities and relevant stakeholders, promoting co-operation to find apposite
solutions to common concerns and challenges and ensure the EPFL crucial role and promotion of the Leagues’
proposals and positions at the European level
•R
elations and exchange of views with non-European leagues
•A
ppointment of EPFL representatives to UEFA and FIFA bodies, such as UEFA PFSC, UEFA-EPFL Working
Group on Match Calendars, FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, FIFA Sub-committee to the Players’ Status Commission, among others
elations with influent political institutions as the European Commission, European Parliament, national Gov•R
ernments and a whole variety of other relevant entities and experts to safeguard the views of our member
Leagues and affiliated clubs on key issues vis-à-vis professional football.
•D
efinition of the overall strategy and internal activities to the meet the current challenges and needs of the Association
ssessment of applications submitted by potential Member and Associate Member Leagues and Associations
•A
of Clubs
•A
pproval of recruitment of EPFL staff associated to the main areas of development of the Association and supervision of the activities completed by the Administration.
•T
horough and continuous analysis of the EPFL financial and administrative condition
•A
ttainment of EPFL initiatives to protect the Leagues’ Intellectual Property Rights and ensure the credibility and
integrity of their competitions.
•E
xamination of the pertinent areas and proactive participation in consultation processes relating to Professional
Football at national and European levels promoted by the EU institutions and football bodies, such as the new
UEFA Club Licensing System and UEFA Club Financial Control Panel, the definition of the specificity of sport,
the autonomy of their structures and preservation of the subsidiarity principle, the UEFA PFSC Resolution on
U18 transfers, the FIFA Transfer Matching System and new amendments to the FIFA Regulations on the Status
and Transfer of Players, the UEFA new solidarity payments and revenue distribution, the UEFA new sporting
and commercial format for the cycle 2009-12, the terms and activities of the EU Alcohol Forum, the European
Commission Study on Players’ Agents, the EP Report on Online Betting, and the consequent submission of the
corresponding EPFL recommendations and final position papers to the General Assembly
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• Screening of important political initiatives and proposals at EU level, namely the EU Sports Forum and the implementation of the EC White Paper on Sport, as well as the priorities of the French and Czech Presidency of
the European Union in the area of sport
• Methodical evaluation of proposal presented by the EPFL CEO and/or Standing Committees
• Monitoring of the implementation of the EPFL Communication Plan and creation of new communication channels, e.g. Newsletter, Website, Extranet, etc.
• Development of a collaborative scheme with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
• Systematic assessment and discussion on the current situation and needs of the EPFL Members and Associate
Members in light of the global economic crisis, with the intention of finding suitable solutions to assist them and
further develop their business and financial models
• Supervision of the implementation of the EPFL-ESSA Memorandum of Understanding
• Establishment of strategies to combat and prevent illegal activities detrimental for the commercial interest of
the Leagues and the integrity of their competitions
• Accurate supervision and approval of Association’s financial report for 2007/2008 and preparation of the budget
for 2008/2009 and Global Strategy Plan 2008/2009
EPFL Board of Directors Meeting in Moscow
The members of the Board of Directors and the CEO fulfilled a variety of assignments on behalf of the Association, including bilateral meetings with football and political authorities, at European and national level, as well as meetings and
events organised by the Leagues to foster and strengthen the relationship of our Members and Associate Members with
their respective national governments.
As part of its strategy to build closer relations with our Leagues and associated clubs, the Board has carried out,
during this season, a plan of decentralized meetings aimed to better understand their real needs and aspirations
and act accordingly, also seizing the opportunity to visit different national football authorities and agreed possible
resolutions on professional football matters.
The members of the Board of Directors and the CEO also met with high authorities of FIFA, UEFA, ECA and other football
organizations in order to ensure regular, harmonious cooperation between football’s bodies and EPFL.
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04.
EPFL Directors in Lisbon
C. EPFL Standing Committees, Working Groups and Task Forces
The period covered by this report was also marked by the implementation of measures and projects to harden the
share position of our Members and find possible solutions on matters of common concern within the European football landscape.
Committed to take a positive and proactive standing to ensure football’s long terms interests and future development, the
EPFL Standing Committees have faced significant challenges this season and, under the coordination of the EPFL CEO,
placed our Association and its members in the best position they have ever enjoyed. Both on and off the pitch we were able to
confront the season with certainty and confidence in order to do a proper job.
EPFL Social Dialogue Standing Committee in Paris
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A vital step in this direction was taken in June by our Standing Committee on Players’ Transfers and Agents with
the creation of the EPFL General Recommendations on Recruitment, Training, Education and Protection of Young
Players to be implemented at the national level. Concluding an intensive and participated process initiated in October 2008, this pioneering initiative was praised by the whole football community and involved UEFA, FIFA, clubs and
other relevant entities, such Foundation Culture Foot Solidaire, in ist consultation process. The document fosters the
implementation of a series of best practices in terms of youth development. Among its primary objectives, special
focus was given to the promotion of the ethics and highest standards across football as well as appropriate forms of
cooperation between the various responsible sports bodies.
In this respect, a wide array of specific recommendations were contemplated by the members of the referred to
Committee in order to ensure that all young players train and play in a safe and supportive environment and that they
are protected from potential abuses which may arise from the international movement of young players contrary to
the applicable rules and regulations. The work of this Standing Committee has also contributed to the analysis and
exchange of views on several initiatives sponsored by other football bodies in this field, such as the amendments to
art. 19 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players as well as the PFSC working document centered
on the protection of young players and encouragement of youth development.
Under the leadearship of the COO of the German League Holger Hieronymus, the Standing Committee on Players’
Transfer and Agents had the opportunity to share viewpoints on other significant issues related to its field of competence and expertise such as the harmonization of transfer periods of national leagues, squad limits and limitation
on the number of players under contract, third party and economic rights of players, the implementation of the FIFA
Transfer Matching System and the protection of the principle of contractual stability. On the contractual stability issue,
a working group was specially created to address in detail and draft possible recommendations to clubs on the matter.
EPFL Communication Managers Meeting in Frankfurt
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04.
The Standing Committee on Professional Football Finance, headed by the EPFL Board member and CEO of the Dutch
League Frank Rutten also successfully completed all activities. Particular focus was given to the financial situation of Professional Football in Europe with the purpose of addressing and responding to some of the main concerns shared by our
Member Leagues, Associate Members and affiliated clubs, in an objective, effective and responsible manner. To this end,
in compliance with the decision approved by our Board of Directors and confirmed by our General Assembly on 6 and 8
October 2008, respectively, an EPFL Task Force for Good Financial Governance was established within the framework of
our Professional Football Finance Committee, and developed a comprehensive diagnosis of the different national regulatory frameworks existing in Europe with regard to football finance matters. Essential information was therefore gathered
on key financial themes, including:
(i) general financial data;
(ii)legal forms, management and ownership of clubs;
(iii)national club licensing systems;
(iv)financial stability standards and supervision mechanisms;
(v)fit and proper person’s test;
(vi)national clearing houses; and
(vii)financial transparency methods.
The results of the assessment made showed to be of real value in order to contemplate the diverse financial backgrounds of European professional football. Following the analysis of the information, the outcome was an EPFL
Report on Good Financial Governance at National Level, which offers an innovative overview of the main differences and similarities in approach regarding financial governance issues, as well as a straw pool of the impact of
the economic slowdown on European football. Far from being a catalyst that prescribes a “one size fits all” solution
or a prescriptive panacea to all financial problems facing football, the Report is a strong invitation to further debate
and consider its findings with a view to enable the Leagues to take care of their own affairs and determining their
own solutions as appropriate and, thus, to effectively meet some of the key challenges facing day-to-day professional
football in this era of unprecedented global economic adversity.
With this Report, the EPFL concluded the first phase of its financial governance related objectives as set out in the EPFL
Declaration of Principles on The Future of Professional Football in Europe, and marked the commencement of a series
of consultation meetings and workshops to address more in depth with our Members and Associate Members, as well
as with other relevant football bodies where appropriate, the findings of the document and eventually set out a series of
best practice recommendations on this field.
Other EPFL committees have also significantly contributed with their extensive work to the achievement of the objectives set by the EPFL global strategy 2008-09 and evaluations and input to a variety of initiatives of the EPFL and other
external bodies.
The Committee on Refereeing Matters, headed by the chairman of the Referee Committee of the Portuguese league
and former FIFA referee, Victor Pereira, met on 22 April in Lisbon, to discuss issues related to the main areas and respective objectives to be accomplished by the advisory body in order to identify and suggest best practice to benefit and
improve refereeing performances and the credibility of the game, spot common concerns and activities in the different
EPFL Leagues, monitor the referee’s professionalization processes in each domestic competition, in a framework of
constructive collaboration and dialogue with FIFA and UEFA, as well as with national associations on some of the current
and future projects related with this specific field.
Moreover, the EPFL Social Dialogue Committee, headed by the EPFL Deputy Chairman and president of the French
League, Frédéric Thiriez, fully played its part by supporting the representatives of the EPFL within the European
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Social Dialogue framework, who benefited from this EPFL body’s detailed work and know-how. The opinions and
proposals of the EPFL Committee members were included in reports brought to each meeting of the Plenary, Steering Group and Working Groups that are essential constituents of the dialogue between employers and employees at
European level promoted by the European Commission, where other football bodies are represented as well. Enabling
our delegation to convey the mutual position of the Leagues, prior to take any decisions, the Social Dialogue Committee of the EPFL was thoroughly evaluating, and resolving in some cases, on the status of Social Dialogue structures
at the national level, image rights (relation clubs/players), the Review of the Commission Communication of 20 May
1998 on the representativeness criteria for social partners, the principle of contractual stability, the current status
of implementation of Contractual Minimum Requirements and the transformation of the document into a European
Collective Bargaining Agreement, in addition to the necessary preparations of the meeting of the different bodies and
establishment of the rules of procedure and work programme of the EU Social Dialogue.
EPFL and FAO Working Group
Finally, during this season, the Social Responsibility Committee, presided by the EPFL and English Premier League
Chairman Sir David Richards, was worked on the development of the EPFL-FAO Campaign Against Hunger. The mentioned
Committee, and respective Working Group (formed by Leagues and FAO representatives authorities) was key to ensure that
local and global perspectives were considered in providing the best advice possible for the overall implementation of the
campaign. With the strong belief that football can make the difference in the world social environment, the primary intention of the members was to mobilize the wide influence of the EPFL member Leagues and the hundreds of clubs that they
represent across Europe to tackle the growing problem of hunger, which now affect 1.020 billion human beings worldwide.
With the full support of the Board and General Assembly, the Committee has recommended a series of initiatives which
were developed in partnership with FAO, in line with the major guidelines of the joint action plan, that generated a resounding impact on the media and public opinion from the start to the end of this crusade.
All the Leagues and Associations of Clubs which constitute the EPFL’s organic universe are represented and actively involved within these bodies by their most senior and expert officials.
The consultative Committees have therefore addressed issues of vital significance for the development and progress of the
European Professional Football, covering a wide range of areas of relevant strategic interest. If the previous season was a
year of incredible highs following the creation of these bodies, then it is perhaps only natural that 2008/2009 was more about
consolidation and steady progress of their work on matters on and off the pitch. Certainly, the work continues to pay dividends,
Annual
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04.
being many of the proposals made by the Committees adopted and used right across professional football. Our counseling
structure allowed us to ensure that there is a coordinated approached to how the game should be administrating, respecting
the principle of subsidiarity and understanding each national reality, witnessing more and more a proactive and fully involvement of our Members and Associate Members and key external partners, when needed.
EPFL STANDING COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUPS and TASK FORCE
Month
September
Date
Place
19.09.2008
Paris, France
19.09.2008
Paris, France
Frankfurt, Germany
October
08.10.2008
26.10.2008
Frankfurt, Germany
12.11.2008
London, England
20.11.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
December
03.12.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting EPFL Standing Committe on Social
Responsability
February
26.02.2009
Frankfurt, Germany
26.02.2009
Frankfurt, Germany
Meeting EPFL Standing Committee
on players' Transfers and Players' Agents
Meeting EPFL Standing Committee on
Social Responsability
02.05.2009
Brussels, Belgium
03.05.2009
Brussels, Belgium
07.05.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
22.05.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
28.05.2009
Edinburgh, Scotland
03.06.2009
Brussels, Belgium
18.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
May
June
34
Meeting EPFL Task Force
on European Union Affairs
on Social Dialogue
on Players’ Transfres and Players’ Agents
Amesterdam,
Netherlands
London, England
November
02.10.2008
Activity
Annual
Meeting EPFL Standing Committe
on Professional Football Finance
Meeting EPFL Task Force on Players'
Transfers and Players' Agents
on Players' Transfers and Players' Agents
on Social Dialogue
on Social Dialogue
Meeting EPFL Task Force on Finance
Refereeing Matters
Players' Transfers and Players' Agents
on Social Responsability
.04
Standing Committees: nature and role
The EPFL Standing Committees are autonomous bodies with an advisory nature and role. They are guided by the
Board of Directors and the CEO, who also ensures their proper coordination.. The operative aspects of the Committees are administered by a Secretary, appointed by the CEO. The Members of the Committees are required to attend
personally to the 3 yearly ordinary meeting, having a mandate of 3 years (2008/2011).
D. Administration
EPFL Administration
THE EPFL Administration operates under the guidance and leadership of the CEO, playing a vital role to ensure that
the Association’s objectives are effectively pursued to the full.
During the period covered by this report, the policy of supporting our Members and Associate Members to improve many
facets of their national competitions was implemented through the development of an array of services and initiatives
specially tailored to meet the Leagues’ particular needs and the sharing of best practices in the daily management of
professional football.
Our resources and knowledge were put at the disposal of the various internal bodies of the EPFL as well as of our members
and associate members. Once again, our research capacity has proofed to be effective by conveying and ensuring implementation of best standards, legislation, jurisprudence and guidance in relation to financial matters in professional football, marketing of national competitions, sports betting, fiscal conditions for players and clubs, refereeing, youth development, alcohol
advertising in sport, international match calendar, solidarity mechanisms at national level, evolution of solidarity payments
due to UEFA Club Competitions, FIFA 6+5 Rule, drawing systems for domestic championships, among many other subjects.
The season 2008/09 saw the efficient response of our Administration also to the increasing demand of specific information from our Leagues through ad-hoc Surveys conducted in a methodic way. In addition, the outcome of these Surveys
Annual
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04.
was vital to enable the EPFL to identify the major problems and pressing subjects in the European football landscape,
as well as the best practices followed around Europe in different football related areas. On the basis of this we have
developed initiatives and position papers, made possible a rapid, competent and efficient decision making process, uttered the Leagues’ positions relating to proposals of other football governing bodies and, finally, assuring the appropriate monitoring and quality on the implementation of possible recommendations. These studies definitely improved the
understanding of the complexities and dynamics of the international football environment in which the EPFL and its
constituents are currently working.
The results of the surveys were initially compiled into a set of reports, which, following a proper evaluation and detailed
discussion, drew conclusions in order to facilitate the interpretation of the information and the identification of areas for
improvement by the relevant EPFL bodies. Furthermore, effective coordination was required to ensure a comprehensive
and functional product that includes the views and data from our constellation of Leagues and affiliated clubs.
EPFL Board of Directors and Staff
In the meantime, the creation of the EPFL Information and Mediation Unit has enhanced the Association’s response to
the increasing demands of our Members and Associate Members on a wide range of updated information engendered by
the rapid and changing football scenery and the emergence of a growing number of conflicts of international dimension
between clubs, as well as between clubs and players and their unions. Faithful to its nature and obligations, the IMU
has enabled the EPFL Member and Associate Members with an efficient, timely and useful alternative to obtain relevant
information of various natures and resolve potential conflicts.
This season, the projects pursued by the EPFL information and Mediation Unit projects have implied:
• The creation of an organized, comprehensive and updated documental archive, including all national and EU
relevant legislation and jurisprudence, international and national sports regulations and jurisdictional decisions, researches, surveys and other pertinent publications related to Professional Football
• The development of surveys of diverse nature, both ex officio and/or upon request of our Members and Associate Members
• The implementation of consulting services, aimed to provide general information and guidelines to our Members and Associate Members.
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Communication and events were also areas of foremost development within our Association during the season. From
the active participation in external Conferences on issues of a major interest for professional football and the organisation of a Gala Dinner to celebrate the 3rd Anniversary of its Constitution to the creation and development of new communication and information sharing channels, such as the website, extranet and newsletter, our relatable unit has fruitfully
coped with all tasks and goals.
Meeting with the President of the Egyptian FA and Egyptian Premier League
EPFL Meeting with UNAFUT League of Costa Rica
Significant steps forward were made on the international front, determining, together with the Board of Directors,
a priority list for strategic engagements. Our policy during the year centered its attention on building and strengthening friendly and collaborative relationships, verified to be mutually beneficial, with all those entities responsible
for the management of sports professional leagues in Europe and the rest of the world. For this purpose, formal
contacts were made with the football leagues of Costa Rica, Georgia, Romania, Croatia, Australia, USA, Japan,
Egypt, South Africa, among many others. However, we believed that the opportunity to explore synergies to enhance
our game should not be solely precluded to the football industry. We therefore met also with ULEB, the Union of
European Leagues of Basketball, with which we share some concerns regarding the management of our sports
activity. This entity is the sole responsible for addressing those subjects directly related to the circumstances and
the problems arising from professional basketball in Europe and represents the voice of the basketball leagues as
well as organising professional competitions within the continent. Furthermore, our international action included
arranging a series of targeted meetings with key contacts in the European political institutions and stakeholders’
part of the international football arena and other relevant international bodies in order to ensure our Association’s
active involvement in all consultation processes on issues with a direct or indirect influence in professional football. In addition, when requested, we supported national football Leagues in their lobbying activities with national
governments and football governing bodies.
The Administration has also timely and formally communicated relevant information for the Leagues concerning
the creation of new bodies in UEFA and FIFA structures, the amendments of relevant football regulations at international and European level, the amounts corresponding to the UEFA solidarity payments to clubs via the Leagues
and national associations, the participation of clubs in the benefits of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, the
French bill project regarding sports betting, the activities and decisions of the EPFL and other football organizaAnnual
37
04.
tions’ decision-making and advisory bodies, the pertinent international match calendar for the season 2008-09, the
outcome of meetings with football entities and political authorities, reports and studies sponsored by European
political institutions, among many other issues of impact to professional football. It has also articulated the positions and proposals of all our Members and Associate Members in order to ensure proper co-ordination and provide
support to the activities of the respective EPFL bodies and representatives of the Leagues participating in other
organisations’ frameworks.
The Administration focused its activity on the subsequent operative targets:
• Strict control and accurate allocation of core operative resources
• Organisation and coordination of internal events and meetings
• Implementation of timely and proficient methods to provide key information and communicate our plans and
activities through apposite channels
• Support of League’s initiatives in Europe or in their own countries and assistance to solve legal, sporting or
problems of other nature
• Promotion of the EPFL and the League’s positions among political and sporting institutions, media and general public
• Coordination of the exchange of views, new projects, and benchmark examples among our Members through
the work of the EPFL advisory bodies and the dissemination of results gathered by our comprehensive and
pragmatic surveys.
• Implementation of the Strategic Business Plan to be developed in the season 2007/2008
• Management of the daily relations with UEFA, FIFA, ECA, world Leagues and other football bodies as well as the
European Commission, the Council of European, the European Parliament and national Governments
• Co-ordination of common positions concerning key issues and the analysis of trends and opportunities within
the European football scenery
• Preparation and submission of detailed reports for each Board meeting in order to support a multiplicity of
plans and initiatives assumed by the EPFL
• Support of EPFL representatives in accordance with their participation in external bodies and forums for discussion on related matters, as the Social Dialogue under the auspices of the European Commission, the UEFA
Professional Football Strategy Council, etc.
• Participation in external events and development of initiatives with commercial organizations, focused on the
Leagues’ possibility to explore new business and networking opportunities
• Assessment of possible new instruments and agreements to preserve the integrity of competitions
The progress made in terms of implementation of our action plan for this season has been monitored by the Administration on a permanent basis and good practice and successful initiatives from the scheme were reported to
our Board and General Assembly at every meeting.
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The EPFL office in Lisbon
During 2008/09, the EPFL Administration was closer than ever to the Association’s Members and their affiliated clubs.
In fact, the EPFL CEO has personally attended several meetings and events organized by the Leagues with the intention of explaining the crucial role played by the Association and how this can be of utmost assistance to professional
football and its constituents in order to tackle many challenges to improve national competitions and, above all, common difficulties arisen across the European football landscape.
The EPFL will continue offering its services and assistance to the Leagues and affiliated clubs, always aiming to
increase our operational performance. The new season will bring many opportunities and challenges for the EPFL.
Our Administration will give proper responses to further support the Leagues, by providing prompt guidance and
assistance and keeping them fully informed on the recent developments of football at European and world level.
E. Members and Associate Members
Lega Pro and Portuguese League Representatives in Copenhagen
EPFL and Polish Ekstraklasa Executives in Warsaw
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Throughout the last twelve months, the EPFL has strived to promote new opportunities for business and social networking. We have also sought to enable our Members and Associate Members with comprehensive information on the
different football realities existing across Europe and worldwide, and even encourage them to share knowledge and experiences with a view to exploring possible joint dynamics and synergies. As a result, many Leagues are already working
in joint projects.
Under the initiative and coordination of our CEO, European Leagues had the opportunity to meet other professional football leagues around the globe and addressed common concerns posed at the global level. This has also corresponded to
the increasing requests made by non-European Leagues to the EPFL and the objective of enhancing football’s criterion
in other continents.
It is indisputable that during the last fifteen years football has experienced an accelerated globalization and, even, “Europeanization”. In fact, what is decided in Europe has a strong impact upon the whole football world. Today, professional
football evolves in a global fashion, from Japan to USA. As one of the leading football organisations, the EPFL remains
very much committed in helping this positive process, by promoting the needed knowledge and expertise sharing between Leagues, thus assisting the development of professional football around the planet.
During the last 4 years, the EFPL has pursued an ever-deeper integration while taking in new members and associate
members. A growing membership has been part of the development of the EPFL representativeness and role in European
football from the start. Today, comprising almost thirty Leagues and Association of Clubs, the EPFL is stronger and more
influential than ever within the international sport and football industry. The Leagues, gathered at our General Assembly,
have agreed to extend the EPFL perspective mostly to countries in East Europe. Membership is only conferred when the
necessary requirements are met. To this end, the EPFL Administration has also assisted all interested Leagues throughout
the process of admission, clarifying doubts, collecting the necessary official documentation and, therefore, gradually and
carefully managed the EPFL enlargement process, creating a win-win situation for all organisations concerned.
During this season 2008/09, the EPFL, an organisation based on values such as transparency, democracy, integration and
solidarity, has welcomed the entry of two new Leagues: the Lega Pro (Italian Football League) and Liga Profesionista de
Fotbal (Romanian Professional Football League). We are certain that, with their contribution, the EPFL will further move
forward within European football.
Lega Pro President Mario Macalli
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Romanian League President Dumitru Dragomir
.04
Consolidation of EPFL’s Role and
Recognition.
04.2
EPFL RELATIONS WITH THE FOOTBALL FAMILY
The season 2008/2009 portrays, once again, our major dedication to the decisive development of professional football. As a
result of that, the EPFL has consolidated its role as one of the major forces in European football. Our responsibility is not only
towards sports, but the whole society as well. This has shaped our working philosophy during the season. Therefore, with a
constructive and cooperative spirit, we have effectively tackled several challenges facing the football community, always representing the interests and views of our Members and Associate Members and their affiliated clubs to the best of our ability.
Since our foundation, the EPFL our approach has been based on constructive dialogue and cooperation. In modern
football world, given the paramount complexity and global dimension of the challenges this is indisputably to achieve the
aimed results and reforms. This year was not the exception. As planned, our relation with key stakeholders of the football
family was further enhanced, as well as our approach to other sporting organisations and political institutions to discuss
plans to improve the functioning, integrity and credibility of the game and its commercial viability.
A. FIFA
Whilst the EPFL core interests have a predominant European dimension, our scope of intervention sometimes goes
beyond the its geographic boundaries, since many of the matters affecting our sport are a consequence of problems and
challenges of global magnitude.
Within this context, and in order to pursue the common interests of our members and associate members, a sound
cooperative relationship between the EPFL and FIFA must logically follow. This is precisely what happened during the
reported season. EPFL and FIFA, in articulation with UEFA too, share the view that there is a need to enhance cooperation at the international level in order to find appropriate solutions to meet many of the challenges and threats
currently facing Football around the world.
The FIFA Congress decided, in 2007, to introduce a Transfer Matching System (TMS) in order monitor more accurately
the international transfer market and ensure greater transparency in all related transactions. Not only has our Association supported this project, as it is now supporting its implementation, as requested by FIFA, aware of the far-reaching
implications this system has for our members and their affiliated clubs and the vital role and responsibilities our member Leagues hold in this field. Therefore, in response to FIFA’s invitation, the EPFL and all the concerned Leagues have
participated in an informative meeting during which FIFA has explained the main characteristics, phases and requirements of this TMS, providing to our delegation the possibility to directly voice its main concerns and address general and
technical elements of the system.
In addition, EPFL has subsequently forwarded to FIFA a comprehensive document describing all pertinent concerns and
main observations of our Member Leagues and Associate Members with regard to some aspects of the FIFA Transfer
Matching System’s (TMS) in order to support their clubs on the practical operation of it. This important paper, whose
content was dully validated by FIFA is available in the EPFL Extranet.
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Meeting with the Association Culture Foot Solidaire at FIFA Headquarter
Furthermore, the EPFL and the Leagues were also keen on contributing to the discussion regarding other FIFA
projects, such as the amendments to the FIFA Regulations on the international movement of minors, the new FIFA
Players’ Agents Regulations, the implementation of the international match calendar, the FIFA “6+5 Rule”, the implementation of the minimum contractual requirements for players, the release of players for the FIFA World Cup
in South Africa, among others, as well as clarifying some issues related to professional football which impact upon
domestic professional football and felt under the sphere of competence of such world governing body.
Another crucial area that elicits the need for greater cooperation between both organisations was the international
transfer of young players and the protection of minors from trafficking and severe exploitation. In this regard, the
EPFL has supported FIFA’s projects in two ways.
Firstly, the Association and its Leagues conveyed to the governing body their points of view concerning the current
provisions addressing the transfer of under 18 players and the possible alteration of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. In this respect, the EPFL was an active actor throughout the consultation process of the
revised Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, providing personally the inputs of our Players’ Transfer and
Agents Committee to the relevant authorities of FIFA, in compliance with the study performed by the EPFL on youth
development and the General Recommendations on this theme approved by our General Assembly, taking also into
account the discussions held within the UEFA PFSC on the matter. Particular emphasis was conferred to the protection of those clubs that are making a valuable effort investing in the proper training and education of young players
and the development of football talents to ensure the great quality of the game.
On a second stage, FIFA commended us to appoint a representative to join the Sub-Committee to the FIFA Players’
Status Committee, responsible for the assessment and previous validation of any international transfer and first
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registration of U-18 players. After submitting the list of candidates for the relevant FIFA body, Mr. José Luis Astiazarán, President of the LFP (Spanish Professional Football League) and member of the EPFL Board of Directors, was
appointed to represent the EPFL in such important body, where he will be joined by other members of each of the
FIFA Confederations, the FIFA Committee of Club Football, FIFPro and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the FIFA
Players’ Status Committee.
Moreover, as recognised employers’ representatives at
European level, FIFA has requested the EPFL to submit possible candidates to integrate the FIFA Dispute
Resolution Chamber and represent the interest of the
Leagues and clubs. Consequently, Mr. Philippe Diallo,
Director of the UCFP, and Mario Gallavotti, lawyer nominated by the Italian Lega Calcio, where appointed as
EPFL representatives for the new2009-2013 term. The
DRC is competent for employment-related disputes between clubs and players with an international dimension, as well as for disputes between clubs related to
training compensation and solidarity mechanism.
José Luis Astiazarán
In addition, FIFA senior officials have attended the EPFL
General Assemblies and provided the Leagues’ representatives with practical information regarding FIFA projects, initiatives and new regulations. As voiced by such FIFA representatives, this is indeed a strong signal of the recognition
accrued by the EPFL over the last years within the international football industry.
B. UEFA
In the 2008/09 season, we have collaborated with the national associations, clubs and players within the framework of the
UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council (UEFA PFSC) in the preparation of many important proposals. One of them
was related to the protection of young players and encouragement of youth development, and intended to respond to the
growing concerns surrounding the increasing movement of players from their training clubs at very young ages, from both
inside and outside the EU, to other clubs in European countries. With the primary aims of combating “trafficking” and
achieve a greater degree of (contractual) stability to support and reward the training efforts of clubs, UEFA, ECA, EPFL and
FIFPro Europe acknowledged the need to take appropriate steps regarding the movement abroad of U18 players and the
first registration of “foreign” U18 players, which were considered to require stricter supervision and enforcement.
Working meetings were held with representatives of the four groups in order to reach consensus on such measures. As
a final result of extensive conversations and exchange of opinions, on the 9th of March 2009 the PFSC has finally agreed
on the general principle that there should be no international transfers of minors (under-18 players) either into Europe
or within Europe, ratifying a Resolution for the protection of young players and encouragement of youth development.
The existing working group, during the forthcoming season shall continue to carry out its work, together with FIFA, and address the exceptions to the above mentioned principle and possible amendments to be incorporated in the FIFA Regulations
on the Status and Transfer of Players.
Created in 2007, the UEFA PFSC has proved to be, once again, a privileged and effective platform to further unite the
European football family and build consensus around issues of common concern, such as the UEFA club licensing system, financial stability, social dialogue, financial solidarity payments, definition of the specificity of sport, among others.
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04.
The Professional Football Strategy Council has gathered three times during this season:
Month
Date
Place
August
28 August 2008
Monaco
October
27 October 2008
Nyon
March
9 March 2009
Nyon
Finally, following two years of exhaustive work, representing in an effective manner the positions of all our members, our
representatives at the UEFA Professional Football Strategy
The development of the new UEFA-EPFL Memorandum of Understanding and its implementation
One of the highest points of the season was, undoubtedly, the signature of the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding
between UEFA and the EPFL.
At its meeting of 27 January 2009, the EPFL Board of Directors agreed to confer priority to the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UEFA and the Leagues in 2005 and entrusted the EPFL CEO to lead the
negotiations on behalf of our Association. This objective demanded many weeks of intensive negotiations and positive
and constructive contacts with UEFA. Acting in accordance with the mandate conferred by unanimous decision of the
General Assembly on 5 March 2009, the agreement was finally reached and, therefore, the revised Memorandum of Understanding. The signature took place on 26 March 2009.
Formalising a positive and renewed spirit of strengthened co-operation between both entities in areas of common concern and relevant interest, the revised Memorandum of Understanding reinforces the institutional recognition and role
of the EPFL, strengthens its representation and participation in UEFA’s decision-making and bodies (such as, but not
limited to, the UEFA Executive Committee), the recognition of the EPFL and Leagues’ right to directly contact FIFA and
European political institutions (with previous co-ordination with UEFA) and, for the first time, acknowledges the fundamental principle of subsidiarity and the importance of the principle of contractual stability.
The Memorandum also contemplated the establishment of working sessions between UEFA and the EPFL on a regular
basis concerning the implementation of the document and the concurrent revision of its status, and also the study of
issues and projects of mutual interest in order to enhance the current collaborative framework. As a consequence, the
EPFL CEO and Board members met with the UEFA senior authorities to enabled both parties to clarify positions and
highlight main areas to begin the process of implementation of the MoU.
The first step was taken regarding the creation of a new body, with joint UEFA-EPFL representation, to discuss and
reach agreement in respect of possible calendar issues. Thus, within the context of subsidiarity and proper role of the
Leagues, a Working Group on Match Calendars Matters has set up to harmonize the European match calendar through
the identification of possible clashes between UEFA and Leagues’ matches as well as the establishment of principles
for exceptional circumstances in order to respond to the specific concerns expressed by some of our members and to
safeguard their contractual arrangements and commercial interests. For this purpose, the EPFL also created a permanent working group with the intention of involving all the interested Leagues and articulate their views to present UEFA
a cohesive position and address together their legitimate requests regarding national match scheduling.
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OFFICIAL MEETINGS WITH FOOTBALL ORGANIZATIONS
Month
July
August
September
Date
22.07.2008
Place
Zurich, Switzerland
Activity
Meeting with FIFA President Joseph Blatter
28.08.2008
Monaco
UEFA Professioanl Football Strategy Council
29.08.2008
Monaco
Working Group on UEFA
Professional Football Strategy Council
03.09.2008
Istanbul, Turkey
Meeting with the Union of Professional Clubs
09.09.2008
Frankfurt, Germany
Meeting with Bundesliga Managers and Executives
10.09.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
Meeting Study Group - PFSC UEFA
15-16.09.2008
Helsinki, Finland
Meeting with Finish Football League
07.10.2008
London, England
Meeting with World Leagues: Major League of
Soccer ,United Soccer League, the South African
PSL, the Australian League, the Brazilian “Clube
dos 13”, UNAFUT Costa Rica, Georgia Professional
League, Romania LPF and Croatian League
09.10.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
Working Group on UEFA
Professional Football Strategy Council
27.10.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
November
17.11.2008
Maarsbergen,
Netherlands
Meeting with the Dutch Federation
of Professional Football Clubs
December
02.12.2008
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA on the Transfer Matching System
January
13.01.2009
Cairo, Egypt
Meeting with Egyptian Professional League
20.01.2009
New York, U.S.A
Meeting with Major League Soccer
03.02.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with UEFA Deputy
General Secretary Gianni Infantino
16.02.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with Belgian Football Club K.A.A. Gent
09.03.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
UEFA Professional Football Strategy
October
February
March
May
June
20.03.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
Meeting with European Clubs Association
25.03.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
Ordinary UEFA XXXIII Congress
07.05.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting with ECA
11.05.2009
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA on Gent Case
14.05.2009
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA on Transfer Matching System
18.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting with Portuguese
Professional Football League
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04.
In addition, within the scope of the consultation process related with the “EPFL Survey on Good Financial Governance at the
National Level”, UEFA and the EPFL met to discuss, on the one hand, the latest developments associated with the UEFA
club licensing system and the so-called “financial fair play” for UEFA competitions, and, on the other hand, the alluded
EPFL Survey and its findings.
Following the implementation of the MoU and a series of conversations held between UEFA and the EPFL, agreement
was also reached on the increase of the solidarity payments during the 2009/2012 Champions League cycle. The EPFL
successfully ensured that the distribution mechanism remains the same as in the past (i.e., via the leagues) and that the
respective percentage was raised from 5% to 6.5%.
Under this spirit of positive co-operation between both organisations, UEFA senior representatives have also taken part
in our General Assembly meetings and contributed to the fruitful discussions held therein.
We are therefore proud to say that with the signature of the revised MoU, which further enhances the already existing
positive cooperative framework between both European football entities, the EPFL has closed with a golden key the
2008/2009 sporting season. This only marks the start of an invigorating relation and a sheer amount of work to be performed throughout the whole upcoming season, seeking to improve all major aspects of our European football.
04.3
European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football sector
On the 1st of July 2008, the European Social Dialogue (ESD) in the Professional Football sector was formally launched,
in Paris. The happening took place under the auspices of the European Commission, following the signature of the approved Rules of Procedure.
Launch of the European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football Sector
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Culminating a long and hard journey of intense work and
persistence, the creation of this social dialogue platform
is regarded as an historic achievement. The EPFL and
FIFPro have been working on the establishment of an official social dialogue at the European level for six years,
with the involvement of UEFA and, more recently, the ECA.
The values and merits of this platform have been acknowledged by all the parties involved in professional
football, as being a valid instrument for the implementation of agreements on labour matter. Finally, professional
football in Europe began speaking to the European Commission in a coordinated way on labour matters in order
to achieve greater legal security and certainty at the European Union level.
The European Social Dialogue Committee for professional football is made up of the main groups comprising players and
clubs on a European level, namely the EPFL and ECA representing clubs (employers) under the terms defined by the Commission, while FIFPro Europe represents the players (employees) and UEFA acts as an associate party. The committee is
chaired by the UEFA President, Michel Platini, while Mr. Fredéric Thiriez, President of the French League and Deputy Chairman of the EPFL, was appointed Vice-Chairman for the period of one year.
In July 2008, Commissioner Spidla, reaffirmed the representativeness of the EPFL and its preponderant and pre-eminent
role within this structure. Since then, the EPFL, as recognized social partner representing the views of the employers at
European level, has working actively and constructively in collaboration with members of FIFPro, ECA and UEFA in the
respective ESD bodies, particularly regarding the accomplishment of the agreed Work Programme for the year 2008-09,
which focused on the discussion and approval of the Player’ Contract Minimum Requirements and its implementation
at the EU and national level.
It was also decided the creation of a steering group,
composed by members of both social partners and associated parties, whose aim is to prepare and coordinate
the meetings and agenda of the Committee in liaison
with the Commission’ services.
EPFL Representatives in Steering Group
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (EPFL CEO)
Mike Foster (The Premier League – ENGLAND)
Philippe Diallo (UCPF - FRANCE)
Mark Boetekees (FBO – NETHERLANDS)
Ruggero Stincardini
(Lega Nazionale Professionisti – ITALY)
Marcin Stefánski (Ekstraklasa /
Polish Professional Football League – POLAND)
Platini and Thiriez at the Launch of the European
Social Dialogue in the Professional Football Sector
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04.
In addition, two working groups were established in order to further develop the Work Programme and, consequently, transform the professional football player contract minimum requirements (MRSCP) into an EU-level
Framework Agreement (based on Article 139 of the EC
Treaty) and make proposals for its ensuing implementation at the national level (“Working Group Transformation”), as well as study the progress in the application
of the current MRSCP in all EU Member States, paying
particular attention to the situation in the central and
eastern European EU Member States (“Working Group
Implementation”).
EPFL Representatives in the Working Group
Implementation
Marcin Stefánski (Ekstraklasa /
Polish Professional Football League – POLAND)
Orlando Carvalho (Liga Portuguesa de Futebol
Profissional – PORTUGAL)
Ruggero Stincardini (Lega Nazionale
Professionisti – ITALY)
EPFL Representatives in the Working Group
Transformation
Mark Boetekees (FBO – NETHERLANDS)
Iain Blair (Scottish Premier League - SCOTLAND)
Ludwig Sneyers (Pro League – BELGIUM)
Meetings of the European Social Dialogue bodies
Month
Date
Place
Activity
July
01 July 08
Paris
Plenary Meeting
September
29 September 2008
Brussels
Steering Group
November
19 November 2008
19 November 2008
Brussels
Brussels
Plenary Meeting
Working Groups
February
03 February 2009
03 February 2009
Brussels
Brussels
Working Groups
Steering Group
May
05 May 2009
Brussels
Working Groups
June
19 June 2009
26 June 2009
Brussels
Brussels
Working Groups
Steering Group
July
07 July 2009
30 July 2009
Nyon
Brussels
Sub-Working Group Implementation
Sub-Working Group Implementation
It is also noteworthy the work undertaken by the EPFL in relation to European social dialogue and its involvement in the
process launched by the Commission with the objective of reviewing the functioning of the Sectoral Committees and the
pursuit of their activities in the different sectors. The participation of social partners, as the EPFL, in this process was of
extreme significance as it may have lead to the possible modification of the criteria for the social partners’ recognition
according to the applicable rules related to the establishment of Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees in Europe (namely
the EC Communication and Decision of 20 May 1998). Considering the major relevance of this matter, and the significant
impacts it may have in the European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football Sector, the EPFL was fully engaged in the
consultation process and put forward the views of the Leagues to the European Commission’s query.
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The first results of the European Social Dialogue in the Professional Football sector will become visible during the following season 2009/2010. However, much effort was done by all social partners, including the EPFL, in order to achieve
a desirable outcome to promote legal certainty and contractual stability for both clubs and players and stable relations
between their respective representatives, preserving the principles of specificity of sport and autonomy of its bodies and
the principle of subsidiarity.
04.4
EU Policy
The EPFL played a very active and outstanding role during the season regarding European affairs with an impact on
sport, in general, and football, in particular.
Represented by the Chairman Sir David Richards and the CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, as well as by the deputy
Chairman Frédéric Thiriez, the EPFL was invited by the European Commission to share its views and proposals on
a number of key issues facing Professional Sport in Europe at the European Sports Forum, held in Biarritz, France.
The invitation made by the European Commission represented an explicit act of acknowledgement of the EPFL’s credentials as a major and constructive force within European Sport and a relevant and credible interlocutor vis-à-vis
the EU institutions for Professional Football related matters. Preceding the informal meeting of EU Sport Ministers
on 27-28 November 2008, the European Sports Forum was an excellent opportunity for more than 200 leading representatives from European sport organisations, national sport confederations, National Olympic Committees and
international sport stakeholders, to discuss the future of Sport in Europe and the major challenges ahead. The EPFL
positively embraced the merits of the “structured dialogue” pursued by the European Commission.
EU Sport Forum 2008 - Biarritz, November 2008
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04.
The EPFL CEO, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, was one of the keynote speakers in the first session of the Forum,
focused on “The implementation of the White Paper on Sport and the European Social Dialogue”, as well as in its
third and final session, dedicated to “The Specificity of Sport”. On the occasion, the EPFL stressed once again the
importance of involving all actors in the decision-making and in the implementation process of the White Paper on
Sport, and underscored the magnitude of the European Social Dialogue, as a key tool for better European governance,
greater legal certainty and problem solving, offering a way forward for the game in Europe, respecting the autonomy
of the social partners, as well as the self-regulatory nature Professional Football.
The EPFL welcomed the fact that the European Commission has placed sport high on the EU political agenda and
affirmed its commitment to actively participate in the ongoing consultation process regarding the definition of the
principle of specificity of sport.
Within this context, the EPFL presented to the sport movement and political authorities its vision and priorities as per
the Association’s “Declaration of Principles on the Future of Professional Football in Europe”.
During this season, the EPFL continued its policy of dialogue with the European Union authorities. We made sure
to effectively express to European political institutions and national Governments the EPFL willingness to enhance
dialogue and cooperation in areas of common interest, not only to Professional Football, but to the whole European
sport, economy and society.
As a consequence, several meetings were held between the EPFL and political authorities, to convey our firm commitment in cooperating with them in areas where public policy is effectively and urgently needed for the positive development of sport and its social function, such as the protection of intellectual property rights for sports and their major
events and the establishing legislation to regulate sports betting within the EU, preserving those intellectual property
rights and allowing sport to protect the integrity of its competitions from the challenges created by betting. In pursuance of our strong message, the EPFL presented our developments in the area of youth development and protection
of minors as well as measures and practical examples to help European sports enhance their business models and
guarantee a healthy economic sector.
In addition, during the time of the French Presidency of the EU, the EPFL Deputy Chairman and the EPFL CEO met,
in Paris, with the French Government to exchange views on a number of key issues facing Professional Football at
European and national level in light of the outcome of the recent EU Sport Forum and the Informal meeting of the EU
Sport Ministers, held in Biarritz. On this occasion, the EPFL reported to the French Secretary of State for Sport, Bernard
Laporte, the stand point of various pertinent projects and initiatives carried out by the Association for the protection and
future development of Professional Football, in areas related to related financial governance, youth development, fight
against violence, sport betting and protection of intellectual property rights. Within the same context, the EPFL reiterated its support to the French Government in its ongoing process of reforming its national betting regulation, specifically
the execution of the French Draft Bill on Online Gambling and Betting, which provides a balanced and adequate response
to tackle illegal betting and protect the integrity of the Leagues’ competitions from this detrimental behavior.
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EPFL Meeting with Portuguese Sport Minister Laurentino Dias
The specificity of sport was placed high at the EU’s political agenda. Following the adoption of the European Commission’s White Paper on Sport, particular emphasis was given to the protection of the principle of subsidiarity, the adequate
definition of the specificity of sport and the recognition of the autonomy of sport, especially within the European Union.
Our approach always aimed to defend the values of the European sports model by stressing the need for effective selfregulation and greater legal certainty through the appropriate recognition of the principles that have shaped the face of
European sport throughout the last century.
Meeting with José Manuel Barroso
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While the game seems to remain subject to the EU authorities´ scrutiny, it was pleasing to see that our views have been
welcomed and incorporated in the relevant documentation produced. It was particularly rewarding to witness that the
principle of subsidiarity was dully taken into account and preserved. Our efforts towards this direction were noticeable
by constantly addressing the European Commission’s key concerns, whilst safeguarding the credibility and advance of
our Leagues’ competition.
Our important contribution to the European Commission Study on Sports Agents in the European Union
In compliance with the Action Plan of the White Paper on Sport, the European Commission, through KEA, a Brusselsbased strategic consultancy fiorm, launched a “Study on Sports Agents in the European Union”. The purposes were
the following:
• To chart the current situation regarding sports agents in the European Union;
• To identify, analyse and describe the problems posed by sports agents’ activities;
• To identify the public and private stakeholders involved in regulating the activities of sports agents in the European Union;
• To identify the laws and regulations, whether public or private, applying to sports agents in the European Union;
• To assess the degree to which these laws and regulations, whether public or private, offer an adequate response to
the potential problems posed by the activities of sports agents.
In light of the extensive consultation process related to this study, KEA established contact with the EPFL and requested our collaboration in order to gather the relevant data as well as providing our important input on the matter.
A particularly active year finalised with our participation in the organisation of the European Commission high-level
Conference on Club Licensing, where our Leagues will play a predominant role as key speakers.
We have always called for the protection of the essential values of sport and of its specificity, stressing the importance
of sport as a factor of social and cultural integration. The EPFL and the Leagues have always believe that professional
football can go beyond the business and financial revenues, and do much more for the entire European society. We
pledge to protect and further develop in a positive and democratic manner the European sports model and persuade
governments to give sport a clear and reliable legal foundations on which it can build a solid future. Next season will be
a great occasion to reinforce this belief and broadly work towards its full achievement.
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MEETINGS WITH INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NGOs
Month
September
Date
Place
Activity
01.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
11.09.2008
Lausanne, Switzerland Meeting With CAS
29.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Steering CommitteeEuropean Social Dialogue of the European Commission
30.10.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting With Union of European Basketball
Leagues
30.10.2008
Porto, Portugal
Meeting with European Union Police Force
03-04.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meetings with the Rpporteur and Member
of the European Parliement on the
European Parliement Report
on the White Paper on Sports
04.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meetind with European Union Commissioner Vladimir Spidia
11.11.2008
London, England
Meeting with United Kingdom's Sport Minister Gerry Sutcliffe
19.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Working Group on European Social Dialogue
26-27.11.2008
Biarritz, France
Meeting with Commissioner Jan Figel
27.11.2008
Biarritz, France
Meeting with Austrian Secretary
of Sport Dr. Reinhold Lopatka
03.12.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with Mr. Mavrommatis Member of
the European Union
04.12.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with European Union Decision
Makers to discuss on Sports Betting issues
04.12.2008
Paris, France
Metting with the French Secretary of State
for Sport Bernard Laporte
January
22.01.2009
New York, U.S.A.
Meeting with UNICRI United Nations
June
02.06.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting European Social Dialogue
Committee
18.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting with FAO United Nations
26.06.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Working and Steering Group on European
Social Dialogue
29.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting with European Sports
Security Association
October
November
December
Sports Intergroup Meeting of the European
Parliement
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04.
04.5
Protecting leagues’ rights and safeguarding the integrity of the game
A. Sport betting integrity
The exponential growth of sports betting and new types of betting services and products on sports competitions could
represent a significant threat to the game’s reputation through increasing allegations of match fixing and growing influence of illegal gambling syndicates.
The EPFL and its affiliated Leagues have undertaken a wide range of actions to tackle this cross-border problem and
protect the integrity of their competitions from this detrimental behavior. These actions have involved a significant cost
burden and urge clear discipline and regulation at national and European level.
Enhanced cooperation is vital – MoU with the European Sports Security Agency
EPFL and ESSA to sign Memorandum of Understanding in Lisbon
The EPFL believes that enhanced cooperation between sports bodies and the licensed betting companies is vital to
ensure the integrity of the game. To this end, the EPFL has signed, on July 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding with
the European Sports Security Agency (ESSA) to detect irregular betting patterns and ensure, as much as possible, that
Professional Football is clean and free of corruption. As a result of that, a number of irregular betting practices have
been signaled and brought to the attention of the concerned leagues for adequate and prompt action.
EPFL recommends integrity protection measures to member Leagues
In order to ensure a proactive, coordinated and efficient response, the EPFL set a series of key measures and recommendation to its Members Leagues.
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This includes the development appropriate educational policies, addressed to players, referees and other relevant officials;
the establishment of stricter rules and regulations to efficiently prevent and dissuade situations of potential conflicts of
interests, insider betting and, in general, any situation capable of undermining Football´s credibility; as well as the appointment by each League of a contact person to act as their interlocutor vis-à-vis the EPFL for betting related issues.
The EPFL has also started working on the creation of a comprehensive database and assessing the different regulatory
frameworks as concerns club ownership and fit and proper persons test to ensure that clubs remain independent and
free from any detrimental control and influence.
EPFL and ESSA Joint Press Conference
EPPL urges Governments and European authorities
to follow France’s example
During the year, the EPFL has constantly followed and
praised the proactive approach taken by the French Government and expressed public support to the draft bill
presented, on March 2009, containing strong measures to
protect the integrity of sporting competitions and ensure
that competitions organizers get a fair return from betting
companies for the commercial exploitation of their fixtures
list and other property rights.
Besides recognising the essential link between the economic value of the exploitation and protection of commercial property rights and a sustainable, equitable, fair and
clean sport in Europe, the French draft bill, if adopted at
European level, would undoubtedly provide unequivocal
advantages to each Member States in terms of fiscal revenue, funding of good causes, fight against illegal betting
and consumer protection.
By establishing a clear framework and
a consistent and effective enforcement
regime, we believe that the French
draft bill provides a balanced and
adequate response to efficiently
combat illegal betting, while ensuring,
at the same time, the indispensable
protection to the commercial property
rights of sports bodies. We hope this
initiative may encourage other EU
Member States as well as the relevant
EU institutions to follow the French
Government example and support
similar measures.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros
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The main provisions of the French Government draft bill, presented on 5 March 2009, are the following:
• Online sports betting in France will be permitted but subject to a new licensing and regulatory regime;
• A clear property right means there will need to be a direct agreement between sports event organisers and any betting operator seeking to take bets on that event;
• Sports organizations will be involved in the decision as to what type of bets are to be allowed on their events. Restrictions will be placed on the type of bets allowed where integrity risk are considered unacceptable;
• The French Government to take action against unlicensed and unlawful online operators who seek to offer unauthorized bets; and
• Grassroots sport to benefit from a 1% turnover levy on all sport bets, which will be channeled through the national
centre for sports development (CNDS).
B. Protection of IP Rights
The EPFL also made endeavors to ensure that the whole Sport remains united and mobilized to persuade the EU and national law-makers to confer the necessary legislative protection to the sport organisers’ rights.
As founding members of SROC, the EPFL has actively cooperate with over 40 national, European and global sporting organisations, UEFA, FIFA, FIA, British Horseracing Authority, Six Nations Rugby, Cricket Australia and others. The purpose
of this informal group is to enable the sharing of ideas and information and to prepare and present common positions on
major issues for sport.
The EPFL, in strict collaboration with SROC, is currently involved in areas such as anti-piracy in the digital environment,
anti-counterfeiting generally, broadcast and Intellectual Property policy development.
Issues of great concern to SROC currently are the piracy of sports rights and sports betting integrity. Legislative initiatives
should confirm that commercial exploitation can only be undertaken with the consent of the sports competition organizers
and that a financial return to the sports is assured.
The complex issues in the relationship between sport and betting in various European countries in tighten the EFPL’s and
SROC’s engagement to protect the integrity of sport.
04.6
EPFL/FAO Professional Football against Hunger Campaign
Approximately one billion human beings are currently
suffering from hunger worldwide. This dramatic trend
must be reversed. The EPFL and its Members and As-
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sociate Members have joined forces with the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in
battling starvation.
.04
On the 20 to 22 March 2009 “Match Day against Hunger”
weekend, hundreds of professional football matches
across Europe have been dedicated to raise awareness
about this growing problem. Among several initiatives,
“Professional Football Against Hunger” banners, tshirts worn by the players entering the field and screenings of videos of TeleFood projects were seen in the stadiums of the European Professional Football Leagues at
the centre of this awareness Campaign.
German Bundesliga - Match Day against Hunger
Italian Lega Pro - Match Day against Hunger
Eredivisie - Match Day against Hunger
EPFL, Portuguese League and FAO united Against hunger
Spanish LA LIGA - Match day against Hunger
Bulgarian League - President Mihov and Ambassador Stoichkov
Scottish Premier League - Match Day against Hunger
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The initiative had an outstanding impact in raising awareness to sensitize football fans and the whole public opinion
about the devastating problem of hunger. Hundreds of Media all across Europe covered the Campaign with great interest
and sense of responsibility.
The match weekend occurred within the scope of the Cooperation Agreement signed between both organizations and
followed the launch of the humanitarian campaign “Professional Football against Hunger”, on the occasion of the celebration of the World Food Day at FAO headquarters in Rome, on 15 October 2008.
EPFL Leagues United Against Hunger in Rome
Medeiros, Baggio and Djouf During the FAO World Food Day in Rome
Within the same context, on January 2009, a high-level delegation of EPFL Executives and football players from Italy,
Germany, Spain and Portugal visited micro projects in Egypt, as part of the preparations for the EPFL/FAO Professional
Football anti-hunger match weekend.
EPFL Delegation visits FAO Ambassador Egyptian First Lady Mubarak
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EPFL senior officials and eminent football players from Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal had to opportunity to see
projects designed to improve the nutrition and livelihoods of vulnerable women and children, and to train youngsters in
pesticide-free crop production techniques.
Ambassadors Paolo Rossi and Hansi Muller at FAO TeleFood project in Egypt
EPFL Delegation visits FAO TeleFood project in Egypt
The group included the EPFL Chief Executive Officer, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, and the Campaign Coordinator
Alberto Colombo, the President of the Spanish League and EPFL Board member, José Luís Astiazarán, the Chief Marketing Officer of the German Football League and President of the Bundesliga Foundation, Tom Bender, and the Director
of the Spanish League Foundation, Olga de La Fuente. they were joined by the 1982 World Champion Paolo Rossi (Italy
– Ambassador of the Lega Calcio), the former German football star Hansi Müller (Germany – Ambassador of the Bundesliga), and the coach of the Al-Ahly Football Club, Manuel José (Portugal – Ambassador of the Portuguese League),
four times champion of the African Champions League.
The entire project was backed up by a donation campaign organised by FAO to support its TeleFood projects. This grassroots approach to alleviating hunger will finance micro-projects designed to provide immediate and lasting solutions to
poor families and communities and enable them to produce their own food. To date FAO has developed more than 2 700
TeleFood projects in 130 countries.
Team supporters were invited by FAO to participate and make donations through SMS and online fundraising for FAO’s
TeleFood projects. Aimed at raising awareness about the urgent need to fight hunger and poverty, exacerbated by the
current economic crisis, the funds raised during the football weekend will help to finance anti-hunger micro-projects
around the world.
European football greats Raúl Gonzalez, Paolo Rossi, Hirsto Stoichkov, Hansi Müller and Fernando Couto are among the
many football stars who supported or played during that weekend’s in leagues’ matches dedicated to raising awareness
of this shocking problem. Hansi Müller, Ambassador of the German Bundesliga and Paolo Rossi, Ambassador of the
Italian Lega Calcio who visited some of these projects in Egypt, as part of an EPFL delegation, are convinced of the positive impact of these small scale projects on poor rural people. For Paolo Rossi, “soccer is a fantastic means of getting
the message across, children recognize the players and listen to what we have to say”.
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04.
The EPFL-FAO partnership serves
to sensitize public opinion about the devastating problem of
hunger that still affects as many as 963 million people.
says FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf.
We are very proud of our League’s ability to generate
economic development, employment and progress in
many areas. But we have also a very strong social
conscience. That’s why the EPFL and member Leagues
have joined FAO at the forefront of the fight against
hunger. United, we can make the difference,
adds Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Chief Executive Officer of the EPFL.
Poverty and hunger cause much suffering throughout
the world. Football is the most popular sport on this
planet and its language is global. We in Scotland are
pleased to add our voice to this universal language to
help raise awareness and take forward action to tackle
hunger and it’s causes,
says Lex Gold Executive Chairman of the Scottish Premier League.
Real Madrid’s Raul Gonzalez adds that
the poorest people are the most affected by the economic
crisis. Like football, the fight against hunger means
sacrifice, perseverance and commitment.
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Bulgarian former player and campaign Ambassador Hristo Stoichkov trusts that
this campaign will remind everybody it reaches,
that there are human beings who are not in the position to
take care of their food.
Fernando Couto, Portuguese football star,
is proud of the partnership of the Liga Portuguesa
de Futebol Profissional with FAO through EPFL to work
together to solve the problem of hunger and under-nutrition.
During my career as a football-professional I have seen
so many parts of the world. And I always realized that I
am lucky being in a much better position than so many
other people. Now I am in the position to give back a
bit and to help people by advising on the fatal living
conditions of more than 900 million people,
says Dietmar Kühbauer, Ambassador from Austrian League.
Finally, Roberto Baggio, former Italian star addressed a strong appeal to the football
supporters that
your help is needed to give a new impulse to the solidarity
process to create a world free from hunger.
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04.
04.7
EPFL Events and participation to external Conference
The EPFL has actively participated in various important events and meetings which have marked the sporting and
political international calendar during the season in review.
Within this context, the Association reached an agreement with Executive Soccer International regarding its participation to
the “Leaders in Football” event, the exclusive two day football business networking event for senior decision makers specifically linked to Clubs, Leagues, Federations, brands and leading service providers in football. The event - during which
the EPFL Leagues met current and potential partners and had to opportunity to hold face-to-face meetings with the several
senior decision-makers of the football industry – counted with the involvement of all Association’s members and associate
members and coincided with the organisation of the second General Assembly of the football season 2007/2008.
Sir David Richards at Leaders in Football
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros during the 3rd EPFL Anniversary celebration
The conference has provided a good opportunity to address major critical issues currently affecting the European Professional Football Leagues, particularly regarding partnerships and synergies in sports as well as new marketing trends
related with the commercialisation of Professional Football.
On this occasion, the EPFL has celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of its Constitution during a Gala Dinner, held at the Centenary Museum of the Chelsea FC.
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EPFL Special Awards
EPFL 3rd Anniversary in London
EPFL Leagues’ representatives in London
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The Chairmen and CEOs of the EPFL Members and Associate Members, as well as a number of other distinguished guests
from the international political and sporting sphere joined the Association in this celebration. Amongst them, were high representatives of FIFA, UEFA, as well as the European Commission and European Parliament.
Major Professional Football Leagues coming from all over the World, including the Major League of Soccer and the
United Soccer League from the USA, the South African PSL, the Australian League, the Brazilian “Clube dos 13”, as well
as Professional Leagues from Costa Rica, Georgia, Romania and Croatia amongst others, were also present to render
homage to the EPFL during its Anniversary.
During the event, the EPFL rendered a heartfelt tribute to its Members and Associate Members in recognition of the
relevant services dedicated to the Association and Professional Football in Europe A special award was also conferred
to distinguished personalities of the European political sphere for their outstanding contribution to the progress and
development of Professional Football and co-operation with the EPFL.
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64
Belgian Pro League
Bulgarian Professional Football League
The Premier League
The Football League
Deutsche Fußball Liga
Super League Greece
Eircom League of Ireland
Italian Lega Nazionale Professionisti
Annual
Italian Lega Pro
Dutch Eredivisie
Polish Ekstraklasa
Finnish Veikkausliiga
Russian Premier League
Russian Association Professional Football Leagues_U2J2342
Foreningen Svensk Elitfotboll
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Spanish Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional
The European Commissioner Jan Figel’, in charge of Sport, was awarded with the EPFL golden globe in recognition of the creation and approval of the European Commission’s White Paper of Sport, while the European Commissioner Vladimír Špidla, in
charge of Employment and Social Affairs, was awarded for the launch of the European Social Dialogue in Professional Football
sector and the recognition of the EPFL as major employers’ representative.
Within the same context, Members of European Parliament Manolis Mavrommatis and Ivo Belet received an EPFL
Special Award for their constant co-operation with the EPFL and support to its causes, respectively as rapporteur
of the European Parliament’s same context, Members of European Parliament Manolis Mavrommatis and Ivo Belet
received an EPFL Special Award for their constant co-operation with the EPFL and support to its causes, respectively as rapporteur of the European Parliament’s Report on the EC’s White Paper on Sport” and as rapporteur of
the European Parliament’s Resolution on “The Future of Professional Football in Europe”.
The Member of the European Parliament Ivo Belet also praised the EPFL:
I would like to thank the EPFL for this special
award. The European Parliament has been
constantly engaged in the development of both
the Resolution “The Future of Professional
Football in Europe” and the Report of the EC’s
White Paper on Sport. I’m therefore honoured
to have contributed to their positive approval
and committed to strengthen the constructive
collaboration between the European Parliament
and Sport Organisations, such as the EPFL.
MEP Ivo Belet receives the EPFL Award - London, October 2008
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The EU Commissioner Vladimír Špidla stated:
It was a great pleasure for me to be associated
to the launch, last July in Paris, of the European
Social Dialogue in the Professional Football
sector. This new social dialogue will help to
tackle issues that cannot be resolved at National
level. It is therefore a very great privilege for me
to accept you special award. I can assure you of
my fair commitment to continue supporting the
development of your Social Dialogue”.
EU Commissioner Spidla recieves the EPFL Award
In his message to the EPFL, the EU Commissioner Jan Figel’ stated:
I feel greatly honoured to receive your special
award tonight. As always, an award is about more
than just one person. I see it as an award for the
team work behind the Commission’s White Paper
on Sport. I’m therefore very pleased that this award
gives me the opportunity to thanks the EPFL for
the constant engagement both in the consultation
leading to the White Paper and the following up
consultation for implementing its action plan.
EU Commissioner Jan Figel’
The Member of the European Parliament Manolis Mavrommatis also
considered:
MEP Manolis Mavrommatis receives the EPFL Award
- London, October 2008
It is a great honour to receive this award from the
Association of European Professional Football
Leagues. After more than 30 years working as
a Journalist in the Sport sector, I’m now proud,
as Member of the European Parliament, to give
my contribution to the development of Sport and
Professional Football in Europe.
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04.
Furthermore, the EPFL has constructively collaborated with MEPs and Commission’s officials in the definition and implementation of an EU policy-making in the area of sport to further promote the sound and stable development of
Professional Football and jointly tackle issues of common concern where public policy is welcome and indeed needed.
Within this context, the Association was actively involved, among others, in the European Sports Forum granted by the
European Commission and organized in November in Biarritz, France.
The EPFL was invited by the European Commission to share its views and proposals on a number of key issues facing
Professional Sport in Europe. The invitation made by the European Commission represents an explicit act of acknowledgement of the EPFL’s credentials as a major and constructive force within European Sport and a relevant and credible
interlocutor vis-à-vis the EU institutions for Professional Football related matters. Preceding the informal meeting of
EU Sport Ministers on 27-28 November 2008, the EU Sports Forum was a proper opportunity for more than 200 leading
representatives from European sport organisations, national sport confederations, National Olympic Committees and
international sport stakeholders discuss the future of Sport in Europe and the major challenges ahead.
Furthermore, the EPFL actively participated at the 2009
Play the Game Conference, held in Coventry, where it
urged all European Governments and EU institutions to
join forces with Sport at the forefront of the fight against
the growing threat of illegal betting and unauthorized
exploitation of the Leagues’ property rights.
The Munich based ISPO SpoBIS Conference and the
London Soccerex Forum were also two of the main International Sport Business attended, among others, by
the EPFL and its Members and Associate Members.
EU Sport Forum 2008 - Biarritz, November 2008
Finally, as part of the EPFL core policy of getting closer
to its member Leagues, during the season, the Association’s representatives actively participated to a series
of events across Europe organised by its members and
associate members. This has included General Assemblies, conferences, leagues major finals and other special events, such as the inauguration of new stadiums
and offices.
In addition, the EPFL CEO has participated, as a keynote
speaker, in the PLMJ Conference “The Sports Law and
the Football Cluster”, held in Lisbon on 1st of June
2009, and in the UEFA Pro Seminar, under the invitation
of the Portuguese FA, on the 25th of June, to address, to
an audience composed by elite coaches, the vital issue
of “The role of the coaches in the future of the Professional Football”. The UEFA Pro Licence is a coaching
licence from the governing body of the association football in Europe. The UEFA Pro Licence is the final coaching qualification available, and follows the completion of
the UEFA “B” and “A” licences.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros at Play the Game Conference
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EPFL EVENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL CONFERENCES
Month
July
Date
Place
Activity
01.07.2008
Paris, France
European Social Dialogue Launch
21.07.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Press Conference – Signature of MoU with ESSA
21.07.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Inauguration of EPFL Lisbon Office
29.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
02-03.09.2008
Istanbul, Turkey
Conference Promoting Beste Values through Social
Dialogue
Game Fair Play Congress
07.10.2008
London, England
EPFL 3rd Anniversary Dinner and Award Ceremony
07-08.10.2008
London, England
Leaders in Football
10.10.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Conference Portuguese Football Federation
15.10.2008
Roma, Italy
Press Conference FAO
- Launch of the EPFL/FAO Campaign
14-15.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
26-27.11.2008
Biarritz, France
European Commission Conferences
"Celebrating the 40 years of Free Movement
of Workers: Old Problems and New Issues
European Union Sport Forum
December
10-12.12.2008
Athens, Greece
11th Council fo Europe Conference
of Ministers responsible for Sport
January
14.01.2009
Cairo, Egypt
EPFL visit to FAO Telefood Projects in Africa
February
02.02.2009
Munich, Germany
ISPO SpoBis Conference with DFL
12.02.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Conference EGBA - European Parliement
01.03.2009
London, England
Carling Cup Final
20-22.03.2009
European Leagues
EPFL/FAO "Professional Football
Against Hunger" Match Day
April
27.04.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Conference on European Sectoral Social Dialogue
May
13-14.05.2009
Athens, Greece
European Union Conference on Anti-Doping
27.05.2008
Roma, Italy
Champions League Final Stadio Olimpico
01.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Conference PMLJ "O Direito e o Cluster do Futebol"
09.06.2009
Coventry, England
Conference "Play the Game 2009"
15-16.06.2009
Prague,
Czech Republic
Lisbon, Portugal
Conference on Gambling in the Internal Market
September
October
November
March
June
25.06.2009
II Seminar Uefa Pro
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04.
On the 21st of July 2008, on occasion of the meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors and the Signature of the
Memorandum of Understanding with the European Sports Security Association (ESSA), the EPFL inaugurated a new
operations office, in Lisbon, to support the activities performed at our Headquarters in Nyon.
Sir David Richards inaugurates the EPFL office in Lisbon
04.8
EPFL Communication
Our communication strategy was designed to continuously raise awareness and understanding of the EPFL among
stakeholders and other audiences and to strengthen the EPFL’s positive image and visibility. After the past season
successful re-positioning, thanks to the refreshment of its Logo and its whole corporate image and the launch of the
official website, the EPFL completed its Communication platform adding a series of online services. These services
included a Web Extranet for its Members and Associate Members and a monthly online Newsletter. In addition, a series of new publications related to the work performed by its new Information and Mediation Unit were also launched.
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A. Website
The official EPFL Website is the main communication
platform at disposal of the Association. It is a fundamental
instrument to raise both the EPFL’s profile and the one of
its Member Leagues and Associate Members. The website represents a remarkable source of information for
both general public and the whole football family. It is regarded as the perfect tool for acceding to vital information
on European Professional Football Leagues. It contains a
constantly updated news section with the latest on EPFL
activities and major achievements in all matters related
to professional football. Besides that, all EPFL official
publications, including the Annual Report of Activities, the
different editions of the Sports Law Bulletin and the main
Surveys and Studies developed by the Association’s Information Unit are always available for free download.
The EPFL website represents the sole official website
with the profile of the major European Professional
Football Leagues and the main current news, initiatives
and projects managed and developed by the Association’s Members and Associate Members.
B. Web Extranet
Following the successful launch of the EPFL official website (www.epfl-europeanlegues.com), the EPFL Communication department launched a Web Extranet.
The main purpose of the EPFL Extranet is to further enhance the communication and consultation between our
Association and each and all Member Leagues and Associate Members, by providing the most relevant documents issued by the EPFL, such as Minutes and Agendas
of the Meetings, Circular Letters, Calendar of Events and
logistic information, as well as significant texts released
by other sports bodies and International Institutions. In
addition, each Member and Associate Member has at its
disposal a dedicated Area, which can be used to post documents of particular significance and share them with all
European Professional Football Leagues.
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04.
C. Newsletter
The EPFL is constantly striving to enhance its communication with its Members and Associate Members and
maximise the visibility of its initiatives, on and off the
pitch. We believe that the continuous development of a
fluid and reliable flow of communication is essential to
bring us all further closer to each other and more efficiently deal with the many challenges currently facing
Professional Football.
Thus, following the successful implementation of the Official Website and Extranet, the EPFL launched its first
Online Newsletter
Starting from May 2009, the EPFL Online Newsletter is
published on a monthly basis and distributed to the EPFL
main internal and external recipients. But, it is available
to the whole football community, general public and media, through emailing and the official Website (www.epfleuropeanleagues.com), providing a regular insight of the
main initiatives carried out by our Association, as well as
an updated collection of the most relevant news and facts
related to our Members and Associate Members.
D. Publications
The Administration continued to provide valuable experience in terms of Publications accurately linked with football matters, on and off the field of game.
To this end, under the initiative of the EPFL CEO, our Information and Mediation Unit has launched a new initiative
- the EPFL Sports Law Bulletin - to respond to our Member and Associate Members’ growing information needs,
as a result of the increasing legislative, regulatory and
jurisprudential activity related to Professional Football,
at national and international level. The primary objective of this bi-monthly publication is to keep the Leagues
updated, on a regular basis, on recent developments in
Professional Football, including recent laws and regulations enacted or amended by the relevant authorities, as
well as pertinent legal decisions and awards rendered by
the European and/or national courts, arbitration tribunals
and sporting jurisdictional bodies.
72
Annual
05.
European Football Market 2009 (Deloitte)
Comment
• We estimate thet the Europe football market was
worth €14.6 billion in 2008, an increase of €1 billion (7%), in revenue terms, compared to 2007.
• The “big five” leagues continue to dominate the
European football landscape, accounting for more
than half (53%) of the total market. When the other
leagues in the “big five” market are added in, the
“big five” countries account for around two thirds
of the total market (66%).
• UEFA central distributions from the Champions
League and the UEFA Cup can provide significant
proportions of revenue in non “big five” leagues.
The Scottish Premier League experienced revenue
growth of 14%, in Sterling terms, to €252m, partially as a result of Celtic and Rangers competing
in the Champions League group stage in 2007/2008
and Rangers going on to reach the UEFA Cup final
•U
EFA revenues, net of distributions to clubs and
national associations, increased by €502m in
2007/2008 as a result if increased broadcast and
commercial revenues from UEFA Euro 2008.
•T
he Top 20 clubs in the Deloitte Football Money
League in 2007/2008 were all European and – with
combined total revenue of €3.9 billion (up 6%) –
accounted for more than 25% of the total European football market.
1- Top domestic league revenue in
England, France, Germany, Italy
and Spain
3 - non “Big Five”
top leagues 15%
2 - FIFA,
UEFA and
National
Associations
16%
4 - “Big Five”
other
leagues
13%
€14.6
Billion
Market
1“Big
Five”
European
leagues
53%
5 - Non “Big
Five” other
leagues 3%
2- Estimated proportinon of FIFA’s
revenue derived from Europe,
UEFA’s total revenue (from which
payments to clubs and federations are deducted), and National
Association revenue (from which
payments to clubs are deducted)
3- Top domestic League revenue in
each of the other 48 UEFA countries outside of the “big five”
4- Revenue for all professional
leagues (except the top division)
in England, France, Germany,
Italy and Spain.
5- Revenue from all professional
leagues (except the top division)
in all other 48 UEFA countries.
Source: Deloitte
Annual
73
74
Annual
Veikkausliiga
Eircom League
Divisionforeningen
Österreichische Fußball
Bundesliga
Pro League
Premier League
League
FC Inter
Bohemians
F.C. Copenhagen
Europa League: Everton FC, Aston Villa FC
and Fulham FC
R. Standard de Liège
Manchester United
Winners of the
league season
2008/2009
Europa League:
HJK, FC Honka, FC Lahti
Champions League:
FC Inter
Europa League:
Saint Patrick’s Athletic, Derry
City and Sligo Rovers
Champions League:
Bohemians
Europa League:
Odense Boldklub, Brøndby IF,
Randers FC, Aab Aalborg
Champions League:
F.C. Copenhagen
Europa League:
SK Rapid Wien,
FK Austria Wien,
SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz
Champions League:
FC Red Bull Salzburg
Europa League: Racing
Genk,Club Brugge KV and
K.A.A. Gent
Champions League:
R. Standard de Liège,
Anderlecht
Europa League:
Everton FC, Aston Villa FC and
Fulham FC
Champions League:
Manchester United FC,
Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC and
Arsenal FC
Clubs qualified for UEFA
Club Competitions
2009/2010
2’631
(per match)
1’650
(per match)
8’774
(per match)
9’027
(per match)
13’200
(per match)
35’663
(per match)
Average attendance per match
in stadiums season
2008/2009
Veikkaus
Eircom
SAS
Scandinavian
Airlines
Tipp 3 and
T-Mobile
Jupiler
Barclays
Sponsors
CEO:
Jan Walden
President:
Hannu Rautiainen
Director:
Fran Gavin
Chairman:
Eamon Naughton
CEO:
Claus Thomsen
President:
Thomas Christensen
CEO:
Georg Pangl
President:
Martin Pucher
CEO:
Ludwig Sneyers
President:
Ivan de Witte
CEO:
Richard Scudamore
President:
Sir David Richards
President and CEO
8
7
7
14
4
65
Total employees working for
the League
Tel: +358 9 4137 7600
Fax: +358 9 4137 7610
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.veikkausliiga.com
JALKAPALLOLIIGA ry
PO BOX 191
Urheilukatu 5 - 00251 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +353 1 8999300
Fax: +353 1 8999301
Website: www.eircomloi.ie
EIRCOM LEAGUE OF IRELAND
National Sports Campus - Abbotstown
Dublin 15, Republic of Ireland
Tel: +45 3525 1545
Fax: +45 3525 1645
DIVISIONFORENINGEN
Livjægergade 17, 1.
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +43 (1) 8775757-0
Fax: +43 (1) 8795757
Website: www.bundesliga.at
ÖSTERREICHISCHE
FUSSBALL-BUNDESLIGA
Rotenberggasse 1
1130 Wien
Austria
PRO LEAGUE
Avenue Houba de Strooper, 145,
1020 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 477 12 29
Fax: +32 2 478 00 88
Website : www.jupilerproleague.be
Tel: +44 207864 9151
Fax: +44 207864 9202
Website: www.premierleague.com
FA PREMIER LEAGUE
30, Gloucester Place
London W1U 8PL, UK
Contact details
.06
Info Leagues
Eredivisie CV
Lega Nazionale
Professionisti
Super League Greece
DFL Deutsche Fußball
Liga GmbH
Ligue de Football
Professionnel
Norsk Toppfotball
League
AZ
FC Internazionale
Olympiakos FC
VfL Wolfsburg
FC Girodins de
Bordeaux
Stabæk Fotball
Winners of the
league season
2008/2009
Europe League:
SC Heerenveen, Ajax, PSV, NAC
Breda
Champions League:
AZ and FC Twente (QR)
Europa League:
Genoa CFC, AS Roma
and Lazio Rome
Champions League:
FC Internazionale, FC Juventus,
AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina
Europa League:
AEK Athens FC, PAOK FC,
Larissa FC
Champions League:
Olympiakos FC and
Panathinaikos FC
Europa League:
Hertha BSC Berlin, Hamburger
SV, SV Werder Bremen
Champions League:
VfL Wolfsburg, FC Bayern
München, VfB Stuttgart
Europa League:
Toulouse, Lille and Guingamp
Champions League:
Olympique Lyonnais,
FC Girondins de Bordeaux,
Olympique de Marseille
Europa League:
Fredrikstad FK, Tromsø IL,
Vålerenga Fotball,
Rosenborg BK
Champions League:
Stabæk Fotball
Club Competitions
2009/2010
16’053 on Play-offs
18’769 on Regular
Competition
Serie A TIM: 24’717
(per match)
41’904
(per match)
20’913
(per match)
9’812
(per match)
in stadiums season
2008/2009
Sponsor
Loterij, Plus,
Texaco, AD
Sportwereld
TIM & Nike
Opap
Sky,
Krombacher,
adidas, EA,
Topps
Orange
Norsk
Tipping,
Canal Digital,
Telenor,
TV2, Adecco
recruiting
Sponsors
CEOs:
Frank Rutten and Alex
Tielbeke
President:
Peter Vogelzang
CEO:
Marco Brunelli
President:
Maurizio Beretta
General Manager:
Patrick Comninos
President:
Nikos Thanopoulos
(elected for the 2009-10
season)
CEO:
Christian Seifert
President:
Reinhard Rauball
CEO:
Jean-Pierre Hugues
President:
Frédéric Thiriez
General Secretary:
Niels Roine
President:
Ernst Ravnaas
President and CEO
6
28
28
50
55
6
the League
Tel: +31 343 438480
Fax: +31 434 438489
Website: www.eredivisie.nl
EREDIVISIE CV
Woudenbergseweg 50
Maarsbergen, 3953 MH
The Netherlands
Tel: +39 02 699101
Fax: +39 02 69010091
Website: www.lega-calcio.it
LEGA NAZIONALE PROFESSIONISTI
Via Rosellini 4
20124 Milan
Italy
Tel: +30 210 68 46 900
Fax: +30 210 68 57 464
Website: www.superleaguegreece.net
SUPER LEAGUE GREECE
1st Astronafton Str., Marousi
Athens 151 25 - Greece
Tel: +49 (0) 69 65005 0
Fax: +49 (0) 69 65005 555
Website: www.bundesliga.de
DFL DEUTSCHE FUßBALL LIGA GmbH
Guiollettstraße 44-46
Frankfurt am Main, 60325
Germany
Tel: +33 (1) 53 65 38 00
Fax: +33 (1) 53 65 38 19
Website: www.lfp.fr
LIGUE DE FOOTBALL PROFESSIONEL
6, rue Léo Delibes
75116 Paris
France
Tel: +47 2102 9702
Fax: +47 2102 9705
Website: http://www.toppfotball.no/
NORSK TOPPFOTBALL
Ullevaal stadion, Sognsveien 75c, 0855
Oslo - Box 3916 - UH, N-0840 Oslo
Norway
Contact details
Info Leagues
.06
Annual
75
76
Annual
Swiss Football League
Foreningen Svensk
Elitfotboll
Liga Nacional
de Futbol Profesional
Union of 1.SNL
Liga Portuguesa
de Futebol Profissional
League
FC Zürich
Kalmar FF
FC Barcelona
NK Maribor
Rangers FC
FC Porto
Winners of the
league season
2008/2009
Europa League:
FC Basel, BSC Young Boys,
FC Sion
Champions League:
FC Zürich
Europa League:
EUL IF Elfsborg, IFK Göteborg
and Helsinborgs IF
Champions League:
CL Kalmar FF
Europa League:
Villarreal, Valencia F.C., Athletic
Bilbao (runner-up National Cup
qualified for Q3 UEFA Europa
League)
Champions League:
FC Barcelona, Real Madrid C.F.,
FC Sevilla, Atlético de Madrid
(UCL Play-offs)
Europa League:
NK IB Ljubljana, NK Rudar
Velenje, ND Gorica
Champions League:
NK Maribor
Europa League:
Motherwell FC, Heart of
Midlothian, Falkirk and
Aberdeen
Champions League:
Celtic FC and Rangers FC
Europa League:
SL Benfica, Nacional, SC Braga,
Paços de Ferreira
Champions League:
FC Porto, Sporting
Club Competitions
2009/2010
10’916
(per match)
7’787
(per match)
163’282
(Stadium attendance
per match day of first
and second division)
1’105
(per match)
16’185
(per match)
3’830 (League Cup) Per match
1’433 (2nd League) Per match
10’390 (1st League) Per match
in stadiums season
2008/2009
Axpo
Svenska Spel
BBVA
Telekom
Slovenije
Clydesdale
Bank
Sagres,
Optimus,
Adidas,
Vitalis,
Carlsberg
and Bwin
Sponsors
Senior Manager:
Edmond Isoz
President:
Peter Stadelmann
CEO:
Tommy Theorin
President:
Bosse Johansson
General Secretary:
Carlos del Campò Colás
President:
José Luis Astiazarán
CEO:
Mitja Hlastec
President:
Branko Florjanič
General Secretary:
Iain Blair
Executive Chairman:
Lex Gold
Executive Director:
Andreia Couto
President:
Hermínio Loureiro
President and CEO
8
4
35
3
8
30
the League
Tel: +41 (0)31 950 83 00
Fax: +41 (0)31 950 83 83
Website: www.football.ch
SWISS FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Worbstrasse 48
3000 Bern 15 - Switzerland
Tel: +46 40 590 250
Fax: +46 40 590 259
Website: www.svenskelitfotboll.se
FÖRENINGEN SVENSK ELITFOTBOLL
200 25 Malmö
Box 16103 - Sweden
Tel: +34 91 2055000 / +34 91 2055005
Fax: +34 91 4080828 / +34 91 4081142
Website: www.lfp.es
LIGA NACIONAL DE FÚTBOL
PROFESIONAL
Hernández de Tejada nº 10
28027 Madrid
España
UNION OF 1.SNL
Parmova Ulica 53,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija
Tel: +386 1 23 45 880
Fax: +386 1 23 45 888
Email: [email protected],
Website:www.prvaliga.si
Tel: +44 141 620 4140
Fax: +41 141 620 4141
Email: enquiries @scotprem.com
Webiste: www.scotprem.com
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Hampden Park
Glasgow, G42 9DE
Scotland - UK
Tel: +351 22 834 87 40
Fax: +351 22 834 87 56/57
Website: www.lpfp.pt
LIGA PORTUGUESA DE FUTEBOL
PROFISSIONAL
Rua da Constituição, n.º 2555
Porto 4250-173 - Portugal
Contact details
06.
Info Leagues
League of Ukraine
Bulgarian Professional
Football League
Polish Professional
Football League
Russian Football
Premier League
Championship:
Wolverhampton
Wanderers
The Football League
Rhyl FC
group B - Zirka
(Kirovograd)
2nd division:
group A - Nyva
(Ternopil’),
1st division
Zakarpattya (Uzhgorod);
Levski (Sofia)
Wisła Kraków
FC Rubin Kazan
League 2:
Brentford
League 1:
Leicester City
Winners of the
league season
2008/2009
League
Europa League:
The New Saints FC,
Bangor City FC, Llanelli AFC
Champions League:
Rhyl FC
Not Applicable
Europa League:
CSKA (Sofia), Litex (Lovech),
Cherno more (Varna)
Champions League:
Levski (Sofia)
Europa League:
Lech Poznan, Legia Warsaw,
Polonia Warsaw
Champions League:
Wisla Kraków
Europa League:
FC Zenit St. Petersburg, PFC
Krilya Sovetov, FC Amkar
Champions League:
FC Rubin Kazan, PFC CSKA
Moscow, FC Dynamo Moscow
Not Applicable
Club Competitions
2009/2010
289
(per match)
2nd division:
group A - 920,
group B - 965
(per match)
1st division
1’791 (per match)
2’785
(per match)
6’741
(per match)
13’500
(per match)
4’347
(League 2)
7’888
(League 1)
17’863
(Championship)
in stadiums season
2008/2009
The
Principality
Building
Society
-
EKO Bulgaria,
Eurofootball,
KOM Water
Canal+,
Orange,
Polish Public
TV, TVN TV,
Polish Public
Radio, Agora,
Brewery
Żywiec
Rosgosstrah
Coca-Cola
Sponsors
CEO:
John Deakin
President:
Phil Pritchard
CEO:
Roman Golub
President:
Sviatoslav Syrota
President:
Valentin Mihov
CEO:
Bogdan Basalaj
President:
Andrzej Rusko
CEO:
Sergey Cheban
President:
Sergey Pryadkin
CEO:
Andy Williamson
Chairman:
Lord Mawhinney
President and CEO
3
14
5
8
31
43
the League
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
11/12 Neptune Court
Vanguard Way, Cardiff , CF24 5PJ Wales
Tel: +44 2920 435838
Fax: +44 2920 496953
Website: www.welshpremier.com
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE OF UKRAINE
Pereulok Muzeyniy 2B
UA-01001 Kylv, Ukraine
Tel/Fax: +380 442784565
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.pfl.com.ua
BULGARIAN PROFESSIONAL
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
138, Vasil Levski Blvd.
Sofia 1527, Bulgaria
Tel: +35929461727 Fax: +35929461803
Emails: [email protected],
[email protected]
Website: www.pfl.bg
Ekstraklasa SA
ul.Wybrzeże Gdyńskie 6d
Warszawa 01-531
Poland
Tel.+48225316740
Fax:+48225316745
E-mail:[email protected]
www.ekstraklasa.org
Tel: +7 495 540 13 23
Fax: +7 495 540 13 25
Website: www.rfpl.org
RUSSIAN FOOTBALL PREMIER LEAGUE
7, Narodnaya st. 115172,
Moscow, Russia
Tel: +41 844 463 1888
Fax: +41 844 826 5188
Website: www.football-league.co.uk
THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Edward VII Quay, Navigation Way
Preston, PR2 2YF
United Kingdom
Contact details
Info Leagues
.06
Annual
77
78
Annual
1st Div - FC Rostov
2nd Div: Pergocrema
Lumezzane Reggiana
Portogruaro
Summaga Benevento
Real Marcianise
1st Div:
Sassuolo,
Cittadella,
Salernitana, Ancona
AFC Unirea Urziceni
Winners of the
league season
2008/2009
Not applicable
Not applicable
Europa League:
Dinamo Bucuresti, CFR Cluj,
Vaslui, Steaua Bucuresti
Champions League:
AFC Unirea Urziceni,
FC Timisoara
Club Competitions
2009/2010
Dutch Federation
of Professional
Football Clubs
Union des Clubs
Professionnels
de Football (UCPF)
Association of
Clubs
1968
1990
Year of Foundation
38
43
Total Number
of Affiliated Clubs
None
None
Rosgosstrakh
No sponsor
Asirom, Nike,
Oriflame,
ABSI,
Mac Donalds
Sponsors
Golden Tulip,
Menzis, Stichting
Meer dan Voetbal,
Randstad, RSM
Wehrens Mennen en
de Vries, Aon
None
Main Sponsors
1st Div:
4’200 (per match)
2nd Div:
887 (per match)
1st Div:
2’904 (per match)
N/A
in stadiums season
2008/2009
Main Partners
Association of Clubs (Season 2007-2008)
Association Professional
Football League
Lega Pro
Liga Profesionista
deFotbal
League
CEO:
Mark Boetekees
President:
Martin Sturkenboom
General Director:
Philippe DIALLO
Vice-President:
Bernard CAIAZZO
and Jean-Pierre
CAILLOT
President:
Jean-Pierre LOUVEL
President and
CEO
CEO:
Andrey Sokolov
President:
Nikolay Tolstykh
General Secretary:
Marinella Conigliaro
President:
Mario Macalli
General Secretary:
Valentin Alexandru
President:
Dumitru Dragomir
President and CEO
5
5
Total employees
working for the
League
35
20
8
the League
Tel: +31 343 438 430
Fax: +31 343 438 439
Website: www.fbo.nl
FBO
3950 AB Maarn,
The Netherlands
Tel: +33 1 55 73 32 32
Fax: +33 1 55 73 32 33
Email: [email protected] / phdiallo@
ucpf.fr
Website: www.ucpf.fr
UCPF
88 avenue Kléber
75116 Paris, FRANCE
Contact details
ASSOCIATION
OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
115172 Narodnaia, 7, Moscou, Russie
Tel: +7 495 5401323
Fax: +7 495 5401325
Website: www.pfl.ru
LEGA PRO - LEGA ITALIANA CALCIO
PROFESSIONISTICO
Via Jacopo da Diacceto, 19
50123 Florence - Italy
Tel: +39 55 3237420
Fax: +39 55 367477 / +39 55 3237465
Website: www.lega-pro.com
Liga Profesionista deFotbal
Str Alexandru Vitzu, nr 2 A, sector 5,
Bucuresti, Romania
Tel: 40-21-412.0165
+40-21-412.0164
Fax: +40-21-412.0094
Website: www.lpf.ro
Contact details
06.
Info Leagues
07.
Annual Calendar of EPFL Activities
Month
July
August
September
October
Date
Place
Activity
01.07.2008
Paris, France
European Social Dialogue Launch
01.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Sports Intergroup Meeting of the European
Parliement
21.07.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
EPFL Board of Directors
21.07.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Press Conference
– Signature of MoU with ESSA
21.07.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
22.07.2008
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA
President Joseph Blatter
30.07.2008
Warsaw, Poland
EPFL General Assembly
28.08.2008
Monaco
UEFA Professioanl Football Strategy Council
29.08.2008
Monaco
Working Group on UEFA Professional
Football Strategy Council
01.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Sports Intergroup Meeting
of the European Parliement
02-03.09.2008
Istanbul, Turkey
Game Fair Play Congress
03.09.2008
Istanbul, Turkey
Meeting with the Union
of Professional Clubs
09.09.2008
Frankfurt, Germany
Meeting with the Manager of Bundesliga
10.09.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
Meeting Study Group - PFSC UEFA
11.09.2008
Lausanne,
Switzerland
Meeting With CAS
15-16.09.2008
Helsinki, Finland
Meeting with Finish Football League
19.09.2008
Paris, France
Meeting EPFL Task Force on European Union
Affairs
19.09.2008
Paris, France
Meeting EPFL Standing Committee on Social
Dialogue
26.10.2008
Frankfurt, Germany
29.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Steering CommitteeEuropean Social
Dialogue of the European Commission
29.09.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Conference Promoting Beste Values through
Social Dialogue
02.10.2008
Amesterdam,
Netherlands
on Professional Football Finance
06.10.2008
London, England
0 7.10.2008
London, England
EPFL 3rd Anniversary Dinner
and Award Ceremony
Annual
79
07.
Month
October
November
December
80
Annual Calendar
of EPFL Activities
Date
Place
Activity
07-08.10.2008
London, England
Leaders in Football and Meeting
with World Leagues
08.10.2008
London, England
09.10.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
Working Group on UEFA Professional
Football Strategy Council
10.10.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Conference Portuguese Football
Federation
15.10.2008
Roma, Italy
Press Conference FAO - Launch of the EPFL/FAO
Campaign
26.10.2008
Frankfurt, Germany
27.10.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
30.10.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting With Union of European
Basketball Leagues
30.10.2008
Porto, Portugal
Meeting with European Union Police Force
03-04.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meetings with the Rpporteur and Member of the
European Parliement
on the European Parliement Report on the White
Paper on Sports
11.11.2008
London, England
Meeting with United Kingdom's Sport
Minister Gerry Sutcliffe
12.11.2008
London, England
Meeting EPFL Standing Committe on Social
Dialogue
14-15.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
European Commission Conferences
"Celebrating the 40 years
of Free Movement
of Workers: Old Problems and New Issues
17.11.2008
Maarsbergen,
Netherlands
Meeting with the Dutch Federation
of Professional Football Clubs
19.11.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Working Group on European
Social Dialogue European Comission
20.11.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
26.11.2008
Biarritz, France
Meeting with Commissioner Jan Figel
27.11.2008
Biarritz, France
Meeting with Austrian Secretary
of Sport Dr. Reinhold Lopatka
26-27.11.2008
Biarritz, France
European Union Sport Forum
02.12.2008
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA on the
Transfer Matching System
03.12.2008
Lisbon, Portugal
on Social Responsability
Annual
Annual Calendar
of EPFL Activities
Month
December
January
February
March
May
Date
Place
.07
Activity
03.12.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with Mr. Mavrommatis
Member of the European Union
04.12.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with European Union Decision Makers
to discuss on Sports Betting issues
04.12.2008
Paris, France
Metting with the French Secretary of State for
Sport Bernard Laporte
10-12.12.2008
Athens, Greece
11th Council fo Europe Conference
of Ministers responsible for Sport
13.01.2009
Cairo, Egypt
EPFL Meeting with Egyptian Professional League
and FA
14.01.2009
Cairo, Egypt
EPFL visit to FAO Telefood
Projects in Africa
20.01.2009
New York, U.S.A
Meeting with Major League Soccer
22.01.2009
New York, U.S.A.
Meeting with UNICRI United Nations
27.01.2008
Nyon, Switzerland
02.02.2009
Munich, Germany
ISPO SpoBis Conference with DFL
03.02.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with UEFA Deputy General
Secretary Gianni Infantino
03.02.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Working and Steering Group on European Social
Dialogue European Comission
16.02.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting with Belgian Football
Club K.A.A. Gent
12.02.2008
Brussels, Belgium
Conference EGBA - European Parliement
26.02.2009
Frankfurt, Germany
Responsability
01.03.2009
London, England
Carling Cup Final
04.03.2009
Copenhagen, Denmark
05.03.2009
Copenhagen, Denmark
09.03.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
UEFA Professional Football Strategy
20.03.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
20-22.03.2009
European Leagues
EPFL/FAO " Professional Football Against Hunger" Match Day
25.03.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
Ordinary UEFA XXXIII Congress
27.04.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Conference on European
Sectoral Social Dialogue
02.05.2009
Brussels, Belgium
on Social Dialogue
Annual
81
07.
Month
May
June
82
Annual Calendar
of EPFL Activities
Date
Place
Activity
03.05.2009
Brussels, Belgium
07.05.2009
Nyon, Switzerland
Meeting EPFL Task Force on Finance
07.05.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
11.05.2009
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA on Gent Case
13-14.05.2009
Athens, Greece
European Union Conference
on Anti-Doping
14.05.2009
Zurich, Switzerland
Meeting with FIFA on Transfer Matching System
22.05.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
on Refereeing Matters
27.05.2009
Roma, Italy
Champions League Final Stadio Olimpico
28.05.2009
Edinburgh, Scotland
Board of Directors
28.05.2009
Edinburgh, Scotland
01.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Conference PMLJ "O Direito
e o Cluster do Futebol"
02.06.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Meeting European Social Dialogue
Committee
02.06.2009
Brussels, Belgium
09.06.2009
Coventry, England
Conference "Play the Game 2009"
15-16.06.2009
Prague,
Czech Republic
Conference on Gambling
in the Internal Market
18.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting with FAO United Nations
18.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting with Portuguese Professional Football
League
18.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
Responsibility
23.07.2009
Moscow, Russia
23.06.2009
Moscow, Russia
25.06.2009
Lisbon, Portugal
II Seminar UEFA Pro
26.06.2009
Brussels, Belgium
Working and Steering Group
on European Social Dialogue
Annual

Annual Report of Activities 08/09

Transcription

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