FIFA: "Clubs are central to the future governance of the game" (ECA)

"The European Club Association has followed with concern the developments at FIFA over the last few months. Football clubs are central stakeholders in the professional game and the future governance of the game must include their active engagement and leadership if it is to be effective and stable. The clubs have to be part of the solution," stated the ECA, on 09/10/2015.

Joseph Blatter, the FIFA president, was suspended for a period of 90 days from of any activity in football at national and international level by the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committe, on 08/10/2015 . The same day, Michel Platini, the UEFA president, and Jerome Valcke, the FIFA secretary general (already placed on leave), were also suspended for the same period of 90 days.

As an inherent part of world football, clubs need to play a central role in this reform process alongside other stakeholders. The outcome must be the emergence of a new governance model, which is democratic, transparent, accountable and inclusive and in which clubs occupy a position that reflects their critical contribution to the…