Locally trained players and 6+5 rule under attention 

The General Assembly presented a fruitful platform for debating as well other relevant matters, such as the training and education of players and the fight against trafficking and exploitaion of minors.

On the occasion, the UEFA Head of Professional Football Services, Alex Phillips, shared with the Leagues the background and main objectives of the “home-grown players” rule, while, on behalf of FIFA, the Director of International Relations, Jérôme Champagne, explained the philosofy and motivation behing the so-called “6+5” rule as recently approved by the FIFA Congress. Culminating a constructive debate around these topics, the EPFL has invited all its member Leagues to consult all their affiliated clubs on the mentioned “6+5” rule.

Campagning for good causes

EPFL’s season has also been notable for campaining in favour of various causes, such as the fight against hunger, a flagellum that affects more than 860 millions human beings across the world.

During the EPFL General Assembly, the Leagues reaffirmed their commitment to harness the power and influence of Porfessional Football to mobilise good wills and resources and promote and advocate the fight against this global problem.

To this end, the EPFL and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United  Nations (FAO) signed a Cooperation Agreement, whose implementation plan was unveiled to the Leagues during the General Assembly meeting. Under the lema “Professional Football Against Hunger”, the 2008/2009 Solidarity Campaign shall be announced at a high-level Press Conference to be held in Rome on the 15 October 2008, precisely on the eve of the “World Food Day”. Among other inititatives, the campaign shall include a field visit to “TeleFood” projects in Africa and a “Professional Leagues Matchday Against Hunger”, engaging all Leagues across Europe.

A Growing Organisation

Confirming the decision previously taken by the EPFL Board of Directors, the General Assembly also approved the application for associate membership submitted by the “Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico” (former “Lega Professionistico Serie C”) . Expressing its satisfaction on behalf of his League, the Vice-President Archimede Pitrolo said: “We are proud of having become Associate Member of the Association of European Professional Football Leagues. Since its foundation in 1959, the League’s major aim is the growth of young and talented professional players. We are therefore committed to work and share our experience with the European Professional Football Leagues to further develop Professional Football in Italy and the whole Europe.”    

Thanks to this new affiliation, the EPFL is now composed by twenty eight (28) Members and Associate Members, corresponding to almost one thousand (1’000) professional clubs across Europe, from Portugal in the West to Russia in the East.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the EPFL General Assembly shall take place in London, on 7-8 October 2008. It shall be preceded by an Official Dinner cellebrating the 3rd anniversary of the EPFL constituting as a legal entity. During the event, the EPFL shall distinguished a selected number of personalities, with its traditional Special Awards, for their outstanding contribution and relevant services rendered to Professional Football.

The occasion will coincide with the high-level Conference “Leaders in Football”, the international business event for football to be held at Chelsea FC.

Copyright 2008 EPFL
All rights reserved

In line with the objective of promoting knowledge sharing and facilitating the exchange of information between Members and Associate Members and relevant stakeholders, the EPFL launched a Cycle of Conferences on “The Future of professional Football in Europe”.

These Conferences provide an excellent platform for updates about the value of football...More >