Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Paris Saint-Germain since the takeover of QSI in 2011, has also been head of the ECA (European Club Association) for several months. He spoke to L’Equipe about the Club World Cup and the evolution of the Champions League versus the Super League.
Al-Khelaïfi: “It’s not a new tournament, it replaces an existing one”.
“There are challenges, for sure, but the basis of the tournament is a good thing. It’s not a new tournament, it replaces an existing one. It doesn’t add a lot of work for the players either, because it’s only held every four years and with a small number of teams (32 now compared with 7 previously).
A large part of the revenue will be considered as “solidarity” for the whole European soccer system, including other French clubs.
Al-Khelaïfi “The ECA has negotiated a solidarity envelope of 440 million euros with UEFA.”
The changes in the LDC versus the Super Ligue?
I’m very proud of the way we’ve completely modernized the ECA in recent years, since the Super Ligue project was halted in April 2021, which would have completely destroyed French soccer.
The ECA has negotiated a solidarity envelope of 440 million euros with UEFA. Every year, this represents 440 million euros for clubs that don’t even play in European competition, including many French clubs.”
Often criticized in the media, Al-Khelaïfi has made a name for himself in French and European soccer. He is now one of the sport’s great craftsmen. His strong stance against the Super League and his subsequent negotiation of an increase in the solidarity envelope are just two examples. This will enable smaller clubs to benefit from the development of competitions.
This year will be a busy one in terms of matches, but PSG and the clubs must face up to this by working harder. The same goes for the players. Even if, of course, there are limits to be respected. But there’s also plenty to go round, if everyone has the right mentality.
