European Football Decision-Makers Convene To Discuss Pressing Issues At Globe Soccer Forum

Coaches, presidents, chairmen, and CEOs of some of Europe's most prominent clubs and organizations gathered in Sardinia for the Globe Soccer Forum. The event, hosted by Italy's Lega Serie A and in partnership with Smeralda Holding, brought together decision-makers to discuss key issues in the world of football. The Forum addressed topics such as financial sustainability, multi-club ownership, and the growing calendar of the sport. The five-hour event took place at the luxurious Hotel Cala di Volpe in Costa Smeralda. It featured a fireside chat withasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the European Club Association and President of PSG.

The Forum also included panel sessions with prominent figures like Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, Gabriele Gravina, the President of the Italian Football Federation, and Ferran Soriano, the CEO of City Football Group.The opening session, titled "SOS Football," focused on the diversification of financing among European clubs. Gravina, Quico Catalán, Vice President of LALIGA, and Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Serie A, discussed the importance of finding alternative sources of income beyond sponsorships and media rights. De Siervo highlighted the challenges faced in Italy due to bureaucracy and the need for government support in making decisions that would help the clubs grow.

In a later session, Al-Khelaifi spoke about PSG's change in vision, emphasizing the importance of the collective over star players. He acknowledged that winning the UEFA Champions League was not the immediate goal for this year and that PSG was building a new team with a new strategy. Al-Khelaifi expressed confidence in the team and the coach, Luis Enrique, stating that the team itself is the star.

The penultimate session, titled "Time to Play," centered around player welfare and the crowded calendar. With the upcoming revamped and expanded UEFA Champions League and the new FIFA Club World Cup, players are faced with an increasing number of games each year. Cesc Fàbregas, recently retired player and assistant coach at Como, admitted that players still want to play as many matches as possible, even though it may result in more frequent injuries. Mikel Arteta raised concerns about mental health, stating that the game needs to address the psychological exhaustion players face.

The final session, "Multi-Club Ownership," explored the MCO model and its potential evolution in the coming years. Ferran Soriano, along with Mario Malave, co-CEO of Mercury/13, and Lina Souloukou, CEO of AS Roma, discussed the opportunities and challenges of multi-club ownership. With over 300 clubs worldwide operating under the MCO structure, the panelists highlighted the growing diversity and opportunities in the global soccer market.

The Globe Soccer Forum, hosted by Lega Serie A and in partnership with Smeralda Holding, provided a platform for key decision-makers to address pressing issues in football. The event facilitated discussions on financial sustainability, multi-club ownership, player welfare, and the crowded calendar. As the sport continues to evolve, forums like these play a crucial role in shaping the future of the game.