Peter Lawwell sends Celtic message at ‘important’ UEFA meeting as he rubs shoulders with Arsenal and Dortmund

The chairman of Celtic traveled to Lisbon for a “significant” UEFA gathering.
Peter Lawwell, the chairman of Celtic, has been busy attending a crucial UEFA meeting as the Hoops get ready for a revamped Champions League campaign in 2019.

The two new qualifiers from the play-offs and the two additional teams from the two straight new qualifier European leagues with the best record in the European competitions of the previous year will comprise the four more teams that will be added to the Champions League for the upcoming season.

After dominating at home, Brendan Rodgers and his team’s goal going forward will be to try to compete at a better level in the Champions League, where they have struggled to advance in recent years. Due to the competition’s modifications, UEFA broadcast revenue has grown overall by 21%, which will benefit Celtic and their European competitors.

Celtic chairman Lawwell has met with UEFA chiefs and representatives from other clubs in Lisbon to discuss these reforms and other financial matters. Attendees included representatives from some of the best teams in Europe, including Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund. Following the meeting, he delivered a speech in which he emphasized Lisbon’s significance to Celtic due to the city’s 1967 European Cup victory: “ECA is the only club association recognized by FIFA and UEFA and we have a very important role as the heart of European football.”

“We represent the clubs and have an extensive network of relationships. With 657 members, who represent the vast majority of clubs in Europe’s top divisions, we are already growing steadily. We had a really fascinating meeting, and we are really proud of this. The hospitality has been outstanding. Because Celtic FC and Sporting CP share the same colors and get along well with the board of directors, Lisbon holds great significance for both teams.

Regarding the sessions, the financial working group’s chair, Michael Verschueren, stated: “Our working group is very important, as money is becoming an increasingly important factor in football.” Revenues are rising, and all matters pertaining to money distribution, regulations, and their financial effects are addressed.

“We cooperate with interested parties, like as FIFA or UEFA, on numerous meetings and negotiations throughout the year. The members of this working group are professionals who deal with money on a daily basis. We discuss various ideas and initiatives, and during these sessions, we bring everything that is being considered and decided upon together.

Champions League modifications were put to a vote in 2022 after it was determined that adjustments were necessary the previous year. “UEFA has clearly shown that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based objectives,” stated UEFA chief executive Aleksander Ceferin in reference to the reforms.

“I am particularly happy that the European Club Association, European Leagues, and national associations all agreed with the suggestion presented by the UEFA Executive Committee, which reached a unanimous vote. One further indication that European football is closer than ever.”

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