Memorandum with FIFPro

Monaco signing
The agreement was signed in Monaco at a ceremony attended by UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson, FIFPro president Gordon Taylor and FIFPro general secretary Theo van Seggelen.

Football's benefit
European football's governing body said that the accord "will create the foundation for a relationship between UEFA and FIFPro and will allow them to further discuss several aspects of professional football in Europe to the benefit of the whole football family."

Common values
The relationship is set to have its foundation upon what both parties described as "a belief in common values". These include solidarity and equitable redistribution of wealth through central exploitation of resources, the specificity of the career of a professional footballer, the specificity of sport, the autonomy of federations and the fact that football is best-served by the existing football family structures. In addition, the parties have agreed that national-team football provides "net benefits to players, clubs, leagues and associations alike" and "is an essential complement and balance to club football".

Strong competitions
The memorandum also lays down the belief that strong national championships and competitions are vital for a large professional football sector to exist. A correct balance should also be established between labour legislation and the specific characteristics of football as a sport, while football should be responsible for solving its own disputes.

Consultation vital
UEFA's desire to fully involve all sectors of European football in the consultation and decision-making process has taken significant steps forward in recent times. It has been involved in constant dialogue with FIFPro and the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL).

Significant step
"This is quite a significant step for UEFA as the body responsible for the governance of European football," UEFA's director of professional football Giorgio Marchetti told uefa.com. "We feel a responsibility to talk to all stakeholders, and there is no doubt that players are important stakeholders in the game. We felt it was necessary to open a channel to the player's representatives."

Creating a framework
"With this memorandum, we have created a framework – we have been able to agree on a list of values that we share – all of them important elements for the wellbeing of the game."

Good co-operation
"This is a very positive step towards good co-operation between key players in the game," Taylor said. "As the influence of players has improved and increased, it's important that we work together on key player issues – including the future of the game, solidarity, the need to keep competition alive, good anti-doping policies, and issues where sport can make such an impact, such as (the) anti-racism campaign."