FIFPro memorandum signed

UEFA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European section of the professional footballers' union FIFPro. The agreement was signed by UEFA President Michel Platini and the president of FIFPro Division Europe, Philippe Piat, at a ceremony at RSC Anderlecht's Stade Constant Vanden Stock in Brussels on Thursday.

Common interest
The memorandum takes into account the two bodies' common interest in football, its development in harmony with those involved in the game and respect for football's core values. It is motivated by a common quest for solutions to the challenges and threats that the sport's various parties – UEFA, associations, leagues, clubs and players – are facing.

Key values
The memorandum covers a wide range of areas as the basis for co-operation including key values such as solidarity, equality and fraternity, the equitable redistribution of wealth, collective rather than individual exploitation of wealth, a commitment to democracy, the need to preserve the values of sport in the face of growing corporate control, and the protection and development of a large and healthy professional football sector in Europe. Both parties underline the need for a balance between national and European labour legislation, as well as the specificity of sport – meaning the integrity of football and competitions, the regularity of competitions and competitive balance. There is also accord about the benefits of the national-team game as an essential balance to club football.

Co-operation and unity
Under the memorandum, UEFA and FIFPro Division Europe agree to promote co-operation and unity, to monitor professional football developments on a national level in Europe, including relations between UEFA members and FIFPro Division Europe members in professional player-related issues, and to foster the development of professional football in Europe.

Sport's specificity
The two bodies pledge to fight against doping and racism in football, and support is given by UEFA to proper arbitration procedures to deal with football disputes. All applicable national and international laws should be respected with regard to employment legislation and collective bargaining agreements, while respecting and taking account of sport's specific characteristics, existing sports structures and the autonomy of federations such as UEFA and national associations.

National-team players
Regarding the availability of players for national-team matches and competitions, there is reaffirmation by FIFPro Division Europe within the memorandum that selection by a national team should be the peak of a player's career, and that this aspect should not be placed in jeopardy.

Ongoing dialogue
Mr Platini said it was appropriate that the memorandum was being signed in Brussels, the capital of the European Union, with which UEFA is pursuing an ongoing dialogue on a variety of issues connected with football and sport in general.

Historic agreement
"This agreement, drawn up in a spirit of collaboration, unity and defence of the values of our sport, is historic because it will truly change the way in which football in Europe is governed," the UEFA President said. "In effect, this agreement is nothing more or less than the first decisive step towards the integration of all the families within football into UEFA's decision-making process.

Main actors
"Football players are the main actors in football and we must protect them, listen to them and integrate them," he added. "This memorandum will help us achieve this. By signing this memorandum we want to show that the football family knows how to come together to discuss in a calm manner, and to find solutions to the problems and questions which concern it.

Existing structures the best
"For the first time, we are recognising, together, players and European football's highest body, sport's specificity, the autonomy of the federations and the fact that the existing structures in the football world are the best to serve football's interests."

Click here for the memorandum in full