By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – One notable figure was conspicuous by his absence at today’s all-important UEFA executive committee. The man who, it is alleged, stabbed European football’s governing body in the back after what is being described as the night that changed the sport for ever.
For months, Andrea Agnelli, head of the European Clubs Association and boss of Juventus, pledged he wanted to work with UEFA, not against it, in building a fresh relationship when it came to avoiding the threat of a mutinous breakaway league.
Time after time, the ECA, which represents 246 of the continent’s leading clubs, gave their backing to UEFA’s reforms. Indeed only last month Agnelli was quoted as saying: “Within a couple of weeks everything should be pretty much sorted.”
Now we know what he meant.
Far from being a leading player in helping UEFA achieve an acceptable solution for all concerned when revamping the Champions League and maintaining the status quo, many will now question whether Agnelli, behind the scenes, was all along nailing his colours to the very mast to which his organisation insisted it was opposed.
Just as the bombshell announcement was made regarding the much-feared challenge to Europe’s prime club competition, including the participation of Juventus, so Agnelli quickly stepped down from his role as ECA president and its chief representative at Uefa’s top table to take over as the Super League’s vice-president.
Duplicitous? Betrayal? Make up your own minds.
As well as hitting Uefa where it hurts most, Agnelli’s decision to jump ship placed the future of the ECA as a credible force heavily in doubt, especially now that all 12 initial Super League members have reportedly quit the organisation.
In a statement the ECA, or what remains of it, attempted to distance themselves from the rebel tournament their former chief (whose family wealth is based on the FIAT motor manufacturing business) is now helping to drive.
“In light of today’s reports on the subject of a so-called breakaway league, ECA as the body representing 246 leading clubs across Europe, reiterates its stated commitment to working on developing the UEFA Club Competitions (UCCs) model with UEFA for the cycle beginning 2024 and that a ‘closed super league model’ to which media articles refer would be strongly opposed by ECA,” the body said.
“ECA would refer to the position adopted by its Executive Board at its meeting last Friday 16th April, namely that it supports a commitment to work with UEFA on a renewed structure for European Club Football as a whole post 2024, including proposed changes to the UEFA Club Competitions post 2024.
“The ECA Executive Board will be convening over the coming days to take appropriate decisions in light of any further developments.”
The main one presumably being how it can continue to influence proceedings without a raft of its most powerful members – and its now-departed man at the top.
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