The forum, which took place on Tuesday 28th of April brings together for the first time presidents, chairmen, chief executives and general secretaries from 24 professional top-flight football leagues, representing more than 1,100 clubs and nearly 20,000 players around the world.
The Forum will enable industry best practice to be shared across the leagues as well as facilitate discussions on common issues, including the International Match Calendar, players’ status and transfer matters, international release of players, broadcasting and commercial rights and the integrity of competitions.
The Forum is also an indication of the leagues' desire to work together with FIFA and confederations on the development of the sport on a global level.
The Qatar Stars League was also represented by an official delegation headed by Mr. Hani Taleb Ballan, the CEO and Mr. Mushtaq Al-Waeli, the Planning & Development Advisor.
In addition professional football leagues from Bolivia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, USA, as well as the European Professional Football Leagues Association, were represented. Between them, their clubs provided just under 90 per cent of the players who took part in the FIFA World Cup 2014.
The Qatar stars League CEO - Mr. Hani Ballan commented on the forum as well as the debates and discussions between all parties and stakeholders. He said that the forum had been very beneficial for exchanging experiences and finding solutions for the challenges facing professional football leagues around the world, noting that the positive outcomes of such forums and meetings would be self-evident later on.
Mr. Hani then added, “The discussions between leaders of professional football leagues was wide ranging, and focussed on strategies for the successful development of professional football in each of their respective countries. These focussed on relationships with players and fans in particular and professional league business models.”
He concluded, “Whilst all professional leagues are different, the issues they face are the same as each looks to develop the professional game in their own country. Experiences and approaches will be shared, with established leagues committing to assisting developing leagues across the world.”
From his side, Mr. Mohamed al-Nuwaiser, CEO of Saudi Professional Football League said that this forum represents a big opportunity to find solutions, indicating that for example, the German experience confirms the importance of football academies for the development of football and in gaining titles, be it at the club or national level.
The assembled leagues agreed that a common view on issues can be achieved, and that leagues around the world should speak with a single voice, as leading members of the global football family.
The focus of the next meeting in the USA (19-20 October 2015) will be on formalising a new way of working more closely together.
This first forum was hosted by the Premier League and organised together with La Liga. The second Global Leagues Forum will be hosted by Major League Soccer, in New York, later this year.
The Forum will enable industry best practice to be shared across the leagues as well as facilitate discussions on common issues, including the International Match Calendar, players’ status and transfer matters, international release of players, broadcasting and commercial rights and the integrity of competitions.
The Forum is also an indication of the leagues' desire to work together with FIFA and confederations on the development of the sport on a global level.
The Qatar Stars League was also represented by an official delegation headed by Mr. Hani Taleb Ballan, the CEO and Mr. Mushtaq Al-Waeli, the Planning & Development Advisor.
In addition professional football leagues from Bolivia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, USA, as well as the European Professional Football Leagues Association, were represented. Between them, their clubs provided just under 90 per cent of the players who took part in the FIFA World Cup 2014.
The Qatar stars League CEO - Mr. Hani Ballan commented on the forum as well as the debates and discussions between all parties and stakeholders. He said that the forum had been very beneficial for exchanging experiences and finding solutions for the challenges facing professional football leagues around the world, noting that the positive outcomes of such forums and meetings would be self-evident later on.
Mr. Hani then added, “The discussions between leaders of professional football leagues was wide ranging, and focussed on strategies for the successful development of professional football in each of their respective countries. These focussed on relationships with players and fans in particular and professional league business models.”
He concluded, “Whilst all professional leagues are different, the issues they face are the same as each looks to develop the professional game in their own country. Experiences and approaches will be shared, with established leagues committing to assisting developing leagues across the world.”
From his side, Mr. Mohamed al-Nuwaiser, CEO of Saudi Professional Football League said that this forum represents a big opportunity to find solutions, indicating that for example, the German experience confirms the importance of football academies for the development of football and in gaining titles, be it at the club or national level.
The assembled leagues agreed that a common view on issues can be achieved, and that leagues around the world should speak with a single voice, as leading members of the global football family.
The focus of the next meeting in the USA (19-20 October 2015) will be on formalising a new way of working more closely together.
This first forum was hosted by the Premier League and organised together with La Liga. The second Global Leagues Forum will be hosted by Major League Soccer, in New York, later this year.
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