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PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi replaces Andrea Agnelli as new European Club Association chairman

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been named the new chairman of the European Club Association, replacing Andrea Agnelli, who resigned on Sunday.

Juventus president Agnelli was one of the key figures behind the now-doomed European Super League, which PSG declined to join.

Al-Khelaifi now finds himself at the helm of the ECA, which traditionally has been viewed as lobbying on behalf of the continent’s richest clubs, but seems set to be more widely representative in the wake of the rifts caused by the Super League controversy.

Al-Khelaifi said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed by my fellow ECA executive board members as chairman.

“The leadership, integrity and togetherness of our organisation has never been more required than at this pivotal moment in European football.

“I will provide my unconditional commitment to the entire football community: that means to all ECA member clubs from every European nation, and to the fans and communities they represent.

“I, alongside all my fellow ECA board members and clubs, am looking to reinforce ECA in its role as the legitimate and singular voice of Europe’s clubs.

“Our game, adored by generations of supporters, will only prosper under unity, and it is our duty as the custodians of football to fulfil this obligation.”

The reference to “unity” may give hope of a truce to the 12 breakaway clubs who resigned from the ECA at the weekend to pursue their new competition.

The statement confirming Al-Khelaifi’s appointment said: “Following the unprecedented events of recent days which has seen attempts to undermine the entire European football community, ECA - representing the leading football clubs of Europe - welcomes the decision from its former member clubs not to pursue their purported ‘Super League’ project, following the seismic and universal condemnation of the project by the entire football community and across society as a whole.

“ECA firmly believes this project could not succeed because football, at its core, is based on openness, sporting excellence and an inherent connection between everyone across the football family.

“Football is for everybody. Recent events have been a reminder that club owners are merely custodians of their clubs, which are historic beacons that mean so much to fans and their communities. ECA believes that it is the responsibility of every member club to ensure that we develop football and leave it in a better place for the next generation; not to dismantle it purely for financial gain.”

The input and pressure of some of the ECA’s former members helped win concessions from UEFA such as an increase in the number of matches in the group stage of the new-look Champions League from six to 10, and the provision of two qualification spots for teams based on past European pedigree.

It is understood that European Leagues, another group lobbying UEFA on behalf of 37 domestic leagues across 30 countries, is prepared to challenge the new format and seek a reduction in the number of matches and to scrap the coefficient qualification.

Additional reporting by PA.

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