Asian Champions League: "An unsustainable system" (Takuya Yamazaki, FIFPro Asia/Oceania)

"The results indicate that the merits do not outweigh the drawbacks for most players and clubs, making it an unsustainable system," said Takuya Yamazaki (JPN), chairperson of FIFPro Asia/Oceania, regarding the AFC Champions League, which is the subject of a report published by the international union of professional footballers on 19/02/2024.

The report (document available to download) which "contains extensive data and feedback from players and clubs, weighs the costs and benefits for clubs and players participating in the AFC-organised competition, has been produced in collaboration with leading sporting intelligence agency Twenty First Group (TFG) and represents the most comprehensive public analysis of the AFC Champions League," explained FIFPro.

• Most of the costs and burdens of the competition fall on the clubs.
• Extensive travel across a vast continent and midweek matches add to players' already increasing workloads, which has an impact on club performance.
• The subsidies granted to the clubs by the AFC do not cover the costs, particularly in terms of travel (despite the…