Speaking at the ASSER conference ‘Leagues in Europe’, in cooperation with the Netherlands Association of Professional Football Clubs, Harry van Raaij of PSV Eindhoven told delegates that big clubs in small markets simply could not wait for even three years before the situation becomes hopeless.
He said that restrictions on league boundaries in Europe are outdated and unnecessary, pointing out that it was essential that clubs did not make the same mistakes as European ruling body UEFA in denying the existence of the European Union with its single markets, single currency and mobility of labour.
The crux of the issue is the size of the domestic television audience and the rights fees generated from broadcasters. The Dutch market could not demand the same rights fees generated in Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK, and the gap between clubs in small and large markets is widening year on year, hampering their ability to compete for top European honours.
Van Raaij also said the impact for the major market clubs from TV exposure was declining, citing an example from Sunday’s fixture lists as viewers in Holland could only access the Ajax v PSV Eindhoven game through pay-TV but could receive Scotland’s old firm derby between Celtic and Rangers and the Arsenal v Man United game on Dutch free to air television.
Van Raaij said: “Clubs in some cities will play no role in top international competitions if we do nothing about the structure. We can’t keep top players in our leagues and the gap will become ever wider.
“There is no clear vision as to what is the future for European club football.”
He put the blame on UEFA, claiming it was protecting its own interests by creating a platform favouring the four major markets. UEFA was joined by the European Directorate in coming under fire from conference delegates for a lack of vision and inaction in finding a solution to a difficulty threatening the very fabric of the professional game in Europe.
For full details of the ‘Leagues in Europe’ conference, see the January issue of SportBusiness International.
