Informe Redes Sociales

EU Conference on Licensing Systems for Club Competitions
Organised by the European Commission
Brussels, 17–18 September 2009

Report
1.

Press conference

The conference was preceded by a press conference where Ján Figel' (on behalf of the European
Commission), Senes Erzik and David Taylor (on behalf of UEFA), Frédéric Thiriez (on behalf of
EPFL) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (on behalf ofECA) replied to questions from journalists. Most
questions concerned the newly adopted principle of Financial Fair Play. Messrs Erzik, Taylor,
Thiriez and Rummenigge presented the principle as an important milestone in the process of
improving long-term financial sustainability in football. Mr Figel' welcomed the approval of the
principle as an example of good governance in football andcongratulated the parties upon the
positive spirit of collaboration that had characterised their discussions.
2.

Opening and introductory speeches

Mr Figel' opened the conference by presenting the double objective of the Commission in organising
the event – namely to promote the establishment of licensing systems and to provide a platform for
the exchange of good practices. Mr Figel's speechwas followed by keynote speeches addressed to
the audience by Mr Erzik, Mr Thiriez and Mr Rummenigge. Mr Taylor and Mr Traverso from UEFA
then made a presentation outlining the distinctive features of UEFA's Club Licensing System as well
as the rationale inspiring the newly adopted principle of Financial Fair Play. The UEFA
representatives explained that the main objective of their ClubLicensing System was to raise
professionalism in football and to ensure good governance in the relations between federations,
leagues and clubs. In designing the system, UEFA had followed a systematic approach with the aim
of improving club football as a whole.
3.

Good practices at national level: financial discipline as a key element of licensing
systems

Mr Müller from the German Bundesligamade the first presentation, underlining how the Bundesliga
system already implements in practice the Financial Fair Play principle, whereby expenditure is linked
to revenue. Mr Khan from the Premier League expressed a different opinion, arguing that applying a
strict link between salary expenditure and club turnover may represent an obstacle to the growth of
small clubs. Mr Aulas from Frenchclub Olympique Lyonnais presented the point of view of licensing
systems' users, saying that licensing systems should aim at ensuring fair play and respect of ethics in
competitions, but at the same time be flexible enough to adapt to the situations of individual clubs, in
order not to discourage investment in sport. Mr Senespleda from Spanish basketball league ACB
gave an overview of thefinancial control rules applied in basketball club competitions in Spain. Mr
Baqué from FIRA praised the establishment of club control measures as an element contributing to
the professionalization of rugby in France. Finally, Mr Lewis presented the financial control rules
applied by Premier Rugby in England, including the salary cap measure which is seen by Premier

Rugby as a key element toensure a competitive balance among clubs.
In the debate that followed, Mr Khan noted, in reply to an observation from the moderator, Mr
Mairesse (European Commission), that financial rules were an absolute novelty when UEFA's
licensing system was first adopted, while nowadays they are fully implemented by all clubs in
England's domestic competitions. Mr Müller observed that the situation wasdifferent in Germany,
where strict financial rules were already in place before the adoption of UEFA's system and where
higher financial standards apply at present, so that all clubs licensed by the Bundesliga automatically
comply with the UEFA system.
In reply to a question from the EHF (European Handball Federation) about how to develop national
associations into effective licensors, Mr...