A European Club Association (ECA) delegation, led by Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and
General Secretary Michele Centenaro met with Androulla Vassiliou, the EU Commissioner
responsible for Sport, in Brussels.
Following her recent appointment to the post and the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty,
granting the EU formal powers in the area of sport, it was important for ECA to present itself
to Mrs. Vassiliou and engage with her on a number of key issues of interest.
Discussions proved open and constructive and focused on key areas including: specificity of
sport, governance, Financial Fair Play, players' agent activities, and upcoming Commission
initiatives in the area of sport. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who is also Chairman of German
club Bayern Munich, congratulated Commissioner Vassiliou on her recent appointment and
stressed that ECA was on hand to support and engage with the Commission in any way
possible in the development of its sport policy over the coming months.
Commenting on the meeting, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated: "Today's [July 8th] visit was extremely
useful. As ECA Chairman, I am keen to present the views of our member clubs from all 53
European National Associations to senior politicians from across Europe. Commissioner
Vassiliou is beginning her term as Sport Commissioner and I was extremely encouraged by
what I heard about how she plans to steer the EU's sport policy. I welcome her openness
and readiness to engage with the clubs."
Commissioner Vassiliou added: "Today [July 8th] was a very interesting meeting. As the Commission
looks to move forward in developing a sport policy, it is important that we have a regular
dialogue with the sports movement, including stakeholders involved in the day-to-day
running of football clubs. This is why I'm very happy to have met with Mr. Rummennigge
and to have heard ECA's views on topics of importance."
ECA will continue to meet EU officials in the coming weeks and months, as these move
ahead in developing and formulating an EU sport policy.