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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Micallef at the 50th Ordinary Congress of The Union of European Football Associations UEFA Brussels, 12 February 2026 President Ceferin, Dear Aleksander, President Infantino, Friends at UEFA, National associations, Stakeholders, I am always happy to be at UEFA. To talk sport and football. This is one part of Europe that delivers. It reflects...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Micallef at the 50th Ordinary Congress of The Union of European Football Associations UEFA Brussels, 12 February 2026 President Ceferin, Dear Aleksander, President Infantino, Friends at UEFA, National associations, Stakeholders, I am always happy to be at UEFA. To talk sport and football. This is one part of Europe that delivers. It reflects Europe at its best. The best leagues in the world – European leagues . The best club competitions in the world – European competitions . For any player, for any team that wishes to prove they are the best, they must do it here. The greatest players in the world, at the peak of their careers, play in our leagues . Europe is the global reference point for women's football . And the best youth and grassroots systems come from you . You develop football locally, nationally, and at European level . Because we know what this game can bring to people. But my friends, in life, the only constant is change . The fact that we are the best does not mean we can stop improving. Our responsibility is greater. Because here, in Europe, football means more . The great Bill Shankly once said (and now you know who my favourite team is): “ Some people think Football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that. ” Football is time spent with family and friends. Football is people coming together, expressing joy , frustration , passion , emotion . And yes, Football is also entertainment. And in parts of our continent, over the past decades, football has also become a lucrative business . There is nothing wrong with this. There is nothing wrong with investment in our clubs and our leagues. Investment supports the whole pyramid and national football ecosystems. Investment is something I welcome. But those who invest must respect our values, our culture, our European Sport Model and the way we do things in Europe. Allow me to make a brief parenthesis. UEFA, Aleksander: you are doing an outstanding job. Football in Europe is in safe hands. Football in Europe is thriving. And football in Europe is the best in the world. Our relationship today is stronger than ever. It is long-term, stable, and committed. I am looking forward to signing our renewed cooperation arrangement with UEFA. We share the same beliefs. And I know that national associations share them too. That football belongs to communities . That domestic leagues, European competitions, and national teams are deeply connected . That big clubs and grassroots clubs are two sides of the same coin. That big countries and smaller countries stand on two sides of the same pitch, and that solidarity between them is essential. That qualification for European competitions cannot be bought. I therefore welcome the recent agreement announced by UEFA, which reaffirms this principle . It is an important step. One that reinforces sporting merit , long-term sustainability and unity in European football. I also applaud UEFA's commitment to a fair and transparent ticketing process for EURO 2028. Putting fans first. You are setting standards that make us truly proud. This brings me to the core message I want to convey today. The risks we face are greater than ever. We must be clear-eyed about them. National football ecosystems are under increasing pressure. Competitive balance in many leagues is increasingly fragile . Unregulated agents are draining money out of the football ecosystem instead of reinvesting it in youth, academies, and grassroots. Uncapped salaries are driving costs ever higher. The way income is shared should be discussed. Income is generated through the hard work of all European clubs, small, medium and big. Fair revenue sharing ensures solidarity, sustainability, and competitive balance. And what is the result? Renewed threats of for-profit entertainment models. Threats of matches taken away from Europe. Fans paying the highest price: financially and emotionally. There is also the global dimension of this discussion. Mr Infantino, It's good to see you in Europe . This is our home . By now you probably have understood that I have strong opinions on anything related to sport and especially football . This is because of my love of the game. This is something that we share . So even if we disagree, let's talk. Because true leadership is shown in how we handle disagreement . Football must not put commercial and political considerations before fan experience, athlete welfare, and the long-term development of the game. Dynamic pricing, or the creation of new competitions that add little sporting value… these are debates we can have . Please remember, we are one football family. And when members of that family disagree, conversation must come first . Before court or competition cases with lawyers. If there is value in it, I am ready to help create the space for that conversation, including in ongoing disputes with FIFPRO . I am encouraged to hear that constructive discussions took place until very late last night. I hope they pave the way for lasting solutions. What is not negotiable, what I will always stand firm on, are our values. Because football does not exist in a vacuum. Finally, let me be clear about where I stand. I speak as a football lover and as a European Commissioner. Football is a public good. It must be governed by bodies acting in the public interest. Sport is more than profits and shareholder value. And that means something very concrete. Domestic league matches belong in their domestic communities. They belong to the fans who built those clubs. They should not be exported at the expense of supporters. When prices rise too high, for match tickets or television subscriptions, fans are the ones who pay. When fans are priced out, football loses part of its soul. And if revenues are under pressure, I want to also be honest about another real challenge we face: the illegal piracy of sports events. Stronger legislation and better enforcement against piracy can protect revenues, without shifting the burden onto loyal fans. This is an area where I am ready to work with you. By my estimate, around 1 billion euro are lost annually as a result of illegal piracy of sport events. That is money stolen from the football. Taken away from youth development. Imagine the amount pitches, the investment that could be done if that money goes into our academies. We will weather the challenges ahead. We will emerge stronger. But this requires serious, mature cooperation to strengthen the European football ecosystem. On governance, on financial sustainability, and above all, on solidarity. One where we respect your autonomy, but stand side by side, ready to act and ready to support when called upon. So let's stand together. And stand strong. Let's protect football. And let's grow it, without losing what makes it ours. SPEECH/26/400
Speech Brief