European Commission backs UEFA and domestic football in renewed agreement
The European Commission has renewed its cooperation agreement with UEFA through 2029, backing qualification on sporting merit, the role of national-team football and the principle that domestic league matches should be played in their home territory.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef signed the agreement in Nyon on November 9. It recognises UEFA as the sole responsible European governing body and backs an open football pyramid in which clubs qualify for European competitions through their domestic results.The agreement also supports promotion and relegation and reaffirms the value of playing domestic league fixtures in their home territory. It sets out a shared policy position and does not create rights or obligations under EU, national or international law.Čeferin said:“Football in Europe has achieved extraordinary sporting and commercial success without abandoning its roots. A place in a competition is earned on the pitch. The strongest parts of the game contribute to those below them. Clubs and national teams mutually reinforce one another. And nobody owns football simply because they happen to govern it.“Recent events in global football have shown why these principles matter. I am grateful to Commissioner Micallef and the European Commission for recognising this and standing firmly with UEFA.”The agreement calls for a balance between club and national-team competitions in the international match calendar. It singles out the men’s and women’s European Championships for their role in bringing supporters together and generating revenue that can be redistributed across the game.The Commission also backed UEFA’s approach to involving leagues, clubs, players and supporters in football governance. The agreement identifies UEFA’s Convention on the Future of European Football as a forum where the Commission can discuss issues directly with UEFA and the wider game.Micallef said: “Football is an essential part of Europe’s sporting and social fabric, and I am proud to sign this agreement today with the UEFA President. "Together with the Commission’s forthcoming strategy to reinforce the European Sport Model, it reaffirms our support for open competitions, strong national-team football and inclusive governance.“Recent failures in global football governance make this partnership all the more important. Alongside UEFA the Commission stands for protecting the values and structures that have made European football a leading European success story.”The agreement builds on a relationship first formalised in 2014 and last renewed in 2022. It provides for closer cooperation around the men’s EURO 2028 and women’s EURO 2029, including exploring ways to involve volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps.The two sides also plan to work together on online abuse, including sharing expertise on monitoring and reporting it. The agreement identifies artificial pitches as another area for cooperation, with UEFA and the Commission looking at alternative infill materials, pitch testing and recycling during the EU regulatory transition period to 2031.