“What Do We Want The Game To Look Like In The Next Five Years?” – Union Of European Clubs (UEC) – A Different Way Forward In European Football

“What Do We Want The Game To Look Like In The Next Five Years?” – Union Of European Clubs (UEC) – A Different Way Forward In European Football

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Blog, Featured

⚽️ Gareth Farrelly, our very own Commercial Litigator and Sports Lawyer, took centre stage at the INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CONVENTION, captivating the audience with his visionary outlook on the future of European football. From navigating the evolving landscape to advocating for inclusive decision-making, Gareth left no stone unturned! ⚽🔍

While the conference may be over, the conversation is far from finished. Gareth’s thought-provoking viewpoints have ignited inspiration, prompting us to wonder: What do we want the game to look like in the next five years? 🤔

Union of European Clubs – A different way forward in European Football

Gareth Farrelly started by talking about the speed of change in football and asked the question: “What do we want the game to look like in the next five years?”

On his first visit to the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium, he referenced the announcement of the Government’s plans for an Independent Regulator for football,  the failed plan for a European Super League, and the points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

No one knows what will happen next.

Of football clubs, Farrelly asked: “Who is making the decisions that affect you? Do you have the ability to affect those decisions?”

The elite clubs are represented by the European Club Association, which has a restricted membership, but there had been no body representing non-elite professional clubs.

The Union of European Clubs was created in April 2022, from the realisation that smaller and medium sized clubs lacked a voice in decision making. The aim is to create a fair, sustainable and balanced ecosystem for football.

137 clubs have joined the UEC already. Across Europe, there are still another 1400 who have not.

Farrelly outlined the UEC model for operating, which is open to all professional clubs playing in one of the 55 UEFA national associations. There is no hierarchy-the model is ‘truly open and democratic’.

Farrelly noted how the competitive balance has decreased across Europe on a domestic level, and in the UEFA Champions League. He outlined how UEFA’s decision-making affects the whole football ecosystem, but asked, “Who are the people making those decisions? Power is consolidated at the higher end.”

Original Article available here.

Youth Mobility Visa Expansion 

Youth Mobility Visa Expansion 

by | Jan 4, 2024 | Blog, Latest

The Government recently announced several expansions to the Youth Mobility visa category, effective from 31 January 2024, pursuant to trade agreements the UK has signed worldwide: 

  • For Australians and Canadians, the age limit for the Youth Mobility visa is raised to 35 years of age, with a three-year validity on the visa if approved. Those nationals already in the UK can extend their existing two-year visa for an additional year.  

This follows similar preferential conditions for New Zealand nationals introduced earlier this year.  

  • Up to 100 places will be available for Andorran nationals, and 500 places for Uruguay nationals, for those aged up to 30 years. These nationals will also be required to provide a criminal record certificate with their application.  
  • An increase in the number of Japanese nationals who can apply to 6,000 – up from 1,000 – and no longer requiring a ballot.  
  • Up to 5,000 nationals of the Republic of Korea can apply up to the age of 35 years, without a ballot being required.  

The Youth Mobility category remains a highly valuable working visa for young people wishing to spend two – three years in the UK because it enables the holder to take part in unrestricted employed work. It is extremely useful for employers who wish to employ these nationals due to the relatively low cost and flexibility of the permission.   

It is clear that the structure and reciprocity of the scheme works well as a point of negotiation for the UK’s trade agreement talks. Discussion of extending the Youth Mobility scheme to the EU, and to address labour shortages in the UK mean that we are likely to see this category become a heavily used tool in the coming years.  

This article is not intended to be used as legal advice. Should any of these updates be relevant to you, please seek expert legal advice from a regulated immigration practitioner or contact the writer, Victoria Welsh, via our immigration services website.