November 20 – The European Club Association (ECA) Executive Committee held its final 2024 meeting at the Paris Saint-Germain Campus on Tuesday, focusing on key issues shaping European and international club football.
During the session, ECA Workstream Leads presented action plans developed from recent Working Group meetings in Vienna and Geneva, as well as insights from the organisation’s second Financial Sustainability Conference.
New developments include the creation of a ninth Workstream, ‘Fan Matters’, to integrate perspectives from newly inducted member clubs. The total tally is now up to 715 member clubs, up from 266 at the start of the 2023/24 season – a testament to the organisation’s rapid growth as it shored up its powerbase and relevance throughout the club game.
The committee also reviewed the progress of the UEFA Men’s Club Competitions for the 2024-27 cycle and discussed strategies for the post-2027 framework. The UEFA Women’s Club Competitions for 2025-30 and FIFA Club World Cup plans were also on the agenda.
Other topics such as player welfare, multi-club ownership, transfer systems, and sustainability also took to the stage, notably the ‘Football Clubs Alliance for Climate’, launched at COP29, emphasising football’s responsibility in addressing climate change.
Additionally, the ECA Executive Leadership Programme, developed in partnership with Harvard Business School, was formally launched. The initiative invites senior leaders from ECA member clubs and European football stakeholders to develop their leadership skills through a specialised programme, as they look to improve across the footballing ecosystem.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734897906labto1734897906ofdlr1734897906owedi1734897906sni@g1734897906niwe.1734897906yrrah1734897906