The ECA Executive Board met today in Liverpool (16th August) to discuss matters relating to the development of the professional game, ECA's membership and ongoing engagements with governing bodies and stakeholders. This was the final meeting of the current cycle as a new Board will be elected for the 2019-23 cycle at the ECA General Assembly in Geneva on 9-10 September.

Today’s meeting saw the ECA Executive Board appoint the four ECA representatives who will sit on the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council (UEFA PFSC) for the upcoming cycle 2019-23. These are:

Pedro López Jiménez - Real Madrid CF

Raúl Sanllehí - Arsenal FC

Edwin van der Sar - AFC Ajax

Peter Lawwell - Celtic FC

In addition, Andrea Agnelli (Juventus) and Nasser Al-Khelalfi (Paris St-Germain) were reconfimed as ECA representatives on the UEFA Executive Committee (UEFA ExCo).

The Board was also delighted to confirm an increase in membership for the 2019/20 season from the current 232 to 246 member clubs.

Discussions also covered the subject of reforms to European Club Competitions for the 2024-27 cycle.

ECA launched its own consultation process to gather member feedback on the initial vision presented by UEFA at the ECA Special General Assembly held in Malta on 6-7 June. As part of Phase One of the consultation process, multiple member forums and bilateral meetings have been held with ECA members from across Europe. The aim has been to debate the principles behind the vision, seek feedback and input from members, and assess the best ways to develop the UEFA Club Competitions over the long term.

ECA members have embraced this process, with clubs from across all four ECA subdivisions and dozens of countries engaging in constructive, thoughtful and informed debate on the generally accepted need for reform and the potential shape of competitions.

At today’s meeting, the Executive Board reviewed and discussed the feedback received to date. This will be analysed further over the coming weeks, but our members have made clear that the current structure of UEFA Club Competitions is not serving the interests of the majority of clubs, particularly those outside of the largest domestic competitions. ECA’s priority in the next phase of the consultation process is to work with stakeholders across football to find the best route for reform.

This will begin with further presentations on consultation feedback and subsequent discussions at the next ECA General Assembly in Geneva on 9-10 September.

The Board therefore welcomes the UEFA President’s decision to postpone the meeting between UEFA, ECA and the European Leagues originally scheduled for 11th September. ECA is committed to being a constructive part of UEFA’s reform consultation and will continue to represent the interests of all of its members in this process.