Juventus are not interested in rejoining the European Club Association (ECA), the Italian outfit said on Thursday, after ECA chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi opened the door for their return.

Al-Khelaifi said on Thursday that the ECA would welcome Juventus back after the club signalled they will pull out of the European Super League project.

The ECA represents more than 440 clubs across the continent, although it is dominated by the big teams, including nine of the 12 initially involved in the planned breakaway Super League.

Juventus, however, said they were not looking to rejoin.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/figure-skating-teenager-ilia-malinin-tops-mens-short-program-at-isu-grand-prix-final-667261">Figure Skating: Teenager Ilia Malinin tops men's short program at ISU Grand Prix final</a>

"Juventus FC is not assessing the possibility to rejoin ECA at the moment," the club's press office told Reuters in an email.

Juve, who along with Real Madrid and Barcelona have not rejoined the ECA after their exclusion in 2021, said in July they had initiated the procedure to pull out of the Super League project.

"If they stop what they are trying to fight for, which I think is a stupid project, they are always most welcome," Al-Khelaifi told reporters after an ECA board meeting in Copenhagen on Thursday.

"I spoke to the owner and, you know, he called me and I think they want to be back. They are definitely most welcome," Al-Khelaifi said.

Al-Khelaifi, who is also president of French champions Paris St Germain, took over as ECA chairman when former Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, who had supported the idea of a European Super League, stepped down in 2021.

Agnelli and the Juve board resigned in November last year.

Juventus are not interested in rejoining the European Club Association (ECA), the Italian outfit said on Thursday, after ECA chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi opened the door for their return.

Juventus are not interested in rejoining the European Club Association (ECA), the Italian outfit said on Thursday, after ECA chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi opened the door for their return. Al-Khelaifi said on Thursday that the ECA would welcome Juventus back after the club signalled they will pull out of the European Super League project. The ECA represents more than 440 clubs across the continent, although it is dominated by the big teams, including nine of the 12 initially involved in the planned breakaway Super League. Juventus, however, said they were not looking to rejoin. ALSO READ: Figure Skating: Teenager Ilia Malinin tops men's short program at ISU Grand Prix final "Juventus FC is not assessing the possibility to rejoin ECA at the moment," the club's press office told Reuters in an email. Juve, who along with Real Madrid and Barcelona have not rejoined the ECA after their exclusion in 2021, said in July they had initiated the procedure to pull out of the Super League project. "If they stop what they are trying to fight for, which I think is a stupid project, they are always most welcome," Al-Khelaifi told reporters after an ECA board meeting in Copenhagen on Thursday. "I spoke to the owner and, you know, he called me and I think they want to be back. They are definitely most welcome," Al-Khelaifi said. Al-Khelaifi, who is also president of French champions Paris St Germain, took over as ECA chairman when former Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, who had supported the idea of a European Super League, stepped down in 2021. Agnelli and the Juve board resigned in November last year.

Serie A outfit Juventus not keen on rejoining European Club Association, team says

European Leagues, the body representing professional club competitions on the continent, has firmly and unanimously opposed any proposals to stage the World Cup every two years. 
 
European Leagues is the latest among a number of stakeholders in the game who have expressed concerns over FIFA`s plans for a biennial World Cup. 
 
"The Leagues will work together with the other stakeholders to prevent football governing bodies to take unilateral decisions that will harm domestic football which is the foundation of our industry," the association said in a statement on Thursday. 
 
FIFA, acting on a suggestion made by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation earlier this year, is conducting a feasibility study into whether it can go ahead with the ambitious idea of a biennial World Cup. 
 
"New competitions, revamped competitions or expanded competitions for club and national team football both at continental level and/or at global level are not the solutions to the current problems of our game in an already congested calendar," added the European Leagues statement https://europeanleagues.com/european-leagues-statement-on-football-calendar. 
 
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday said there were too many "meaningless international games" and such a system was unhealthy for the sport, adding that a new men`s calendar is likely to be introduced by the end of 2024 when the current cycle ends. 
&nbsp;

European Leagues, the body representing professional club competitions on the continent, has firmly and unanimously opposed any proposals to stage the World Cup every two years.

European Leagues, the body representing professional club competitions on the continent, has firmly and unanimously opposed any proposals to stage the World Cup every two years. European Leagues is the latest among a number of stakeholders in the game who have expressed concerns over FIFA`s plans for a biennial World Cup. "The Leagues will work together with the other stakeholders to prevent football governing bodies to take unilateral decisions that will harm domestic football which is the foundation of our industry," the association said in a statement on Thursday. FIFA, acting on a suggestion made by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation earlier this year, is conducting a feasibility study into whether it can go ahead with the ambitious idea of a biennial World Cup. "New competitions, revamped competitions or expanded competitions for club and national team football both at continental level and/or at global level are not the solutions to the current problems of our game in an already congested calendar," added the European Leagues statement https://europeanleagues.com/european-leagues-statement-on-football-calendar. FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday said there were too many "meaningless international games" and such a system was unhealthy for the sport, adding that a new men`s calendar is likely to be introduced by the end of 2024 when the current cycle ends.

European club body opposes biennial World Cup plans

UEFA has been asked to double the amount it pays out to clubs who fail to qualify for European competition as part of proposals intended to reduce financial inequalities in the continent's football.

Four percent of the revenue from European club competition is currently distributed to clubs who do not take part, in what are known as solidarity payments.

However, the European Leagues umbrella body, which represents the continent's domestic leagues, said on Friday that it will propose this amount be increased to eight percent during the period for 2021-24.

UEFA had predicted that the four percent would be equivalent to around 130 million euros ($157.43 million) for the 2019/20 season although the estimate was made before the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected European football finances.

In an report to its members, European Leagues said it was concerned about the revenue gap between the biggest clubs and the rest, which it said was "increasing and accelerating."

"The trend points to greater dominance by a fewer number of clubs in many competitions," it said.

It also called on UEFA for a "genuine, open and structured process" when it resumes discussions over plans for European club competitions from 2024 onwards, having complained of a lack of consultation in previous talks.

Last year, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) put forward a plan to turn the Champions League into a semi-closed competition from 2024 onwards. It was eventually dropped amid strong opposition.

European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said he was optimistic the discussions for 2024 onwards, which have been interrupted by the pandemic, would now be more transparent.

"We are convinced the process will be totally different from 2019," said Olsson. "That is a discussion which has to take place and has to involve everyone in European football."

Although there are frequent reports of plans to form a European Super League for the biggest clubs, Olsson said he did not take these seriously.

"There have been very clear statements from UEFA they are not going to admit a breakaway league and many clubs saying they are not interested in a private league," he said. "It's annoying having these reports pop up every three or four years."

UEFA has been asked to double the amount it pays out to clubs who fail to qualify for European competition as part of proposals intended to reduce financial inequalities in the continent's football.

UEFA has been asked to double the amount it pays out to clubs who fail to qualify for European competition as part of proposals intended to reduce financial inequalities in the continent's football. Four percent of the revenue from European club competition is currently distributed to clubs who do not take part, in what are known as solidarity payments. However, the European Leagues umbrella body, which represents the continent's domestic leagues, said on Friday that it will propose this amount be increased to eight percent during the period for 2021-24. UEFA had predicted that the four percent would be equivalent to around 130 million euros ($157.43 million) for the 2019/20 season although the estimate was made before the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected European football finances. In an report to its members, European Leagues said it was concerned about the revenue gap between the biggest clubs and the rest, which it said was "increasing and accelerating." "The trend points to greater dominance by a fewer number of clubs in many competitions," it said. It also called on UEFA for a "genuine, open and structured process" when it resumes discussions over plans for European club competitions from 2024 onwards, having complained of a lack of consultation in previous talks. Last year, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) put forward a plan to turn the Champions League into a semi-closed competition from 2024 onwards. It was eventually dropped amid strong opposition. European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said he was optimistic the discussions for 2024 onwards, which have been interrupted by the pandemic, would now be more transparent. "We are convinced the process will be totally different from 2019," said Olsson. "That is a discussion which has to take place and has to involve everyone in European football." Although there are frequent reports of plans to form a European Super League for the biggest clubs, Olsson said he did not take these seriously. "There have been very clear statements from UEFA they are not going to admit a breakaway league and many clubs saying they are not interested in a private league," he said. "It's annoying having these reports pop up every three or four years."

UEFA asked to double payment to clubs who miss out on European competition

Europe's domestic leagues, concerned about plans to drastically overhaul football on the continent from 2024, say they will not allow UEFA club competitions to be played at weekends.

The topic, alongside the revenue distribution model for the Champions League and Europa League, is set to dominate discussions when the European Leagues umbrella organisation holds a general assembly in Lisbon on Friday.

UEFA has recently begun discussions with the continent's clubs over the format for European competitions from 2024.

The European Club Association (ECA) has said it wants more teams playing more games in European competition although, after meeting in Amsterdam last week, added that it was too early to give details on what was being planned.

However, the European Leagues are concerned that European soccer's governing body UEFA could ultimately give captive places to some bigger clubs and play matches at weekends.

"We will always protect our weekends. We will not allow European club competition to be played at weekends," European Leagues Deputy General Secretary Alberto Colombo told Reuters.

"The passion of football fans is driven by local football and by their tradition to go to the stadium with family and friends on Saturday and Sunday."

Colombo added that under the current model the clubs earned places in UEFA club competition by finishing at the top of their respective leagues.

"If you give the big clubs guaranteed places in UEFA Club Competition and you destroy this model, it will devalue domestic football which drives the passion of fans," he said.

European club football runs in three-year cycles with the current one ending in 2021.

The format for the 2021-24 cycle was decided last year with the addition of new third-tier competition in addition to the Champions League and the Europa League.

However, revenue distribution for the 2021-24 cycle has not been settled and European Leagues are arguing for a greater share of the spoils to be given to the clubs who do not qualify for European competition.

It wants so-called solidarity payments to be increased from the current 7.3 per cent to 20 per cent in the next cycle.

In a recent statement, the Leagues said it was "imperative to increase solidarity so as to safeguard the dream of all clubs, and not just a few rich ones, to perform in a fair competitive environment."

Europe's domestic leagues, concerned about plans to drastically overhaul football on the continent from 2024, say they will not allow UEFA club competitions to be played at weekends.

Europe's domestic leagues, concerned about plans to drastically overhaul football on the continent from 2024, say they will not allow UEFA club competitions to be played at weekends. The topic, alongside the revenue distribution model for the Champions League and Europa League, is set to dominate discussions when the European Leagues umbrella organisation holds a general assembly in Lisbon on Friday. UEFA has recently begun discussions with the continent's clubs over the format for European competitions from 2024. The European Club Association (ECA) has said it wants more teams playing more games in European competition although, after meeting in Amsterdam last week, added that it was too early to give details on what was being planned. However, the European Leagues are concerned that European soccer's governing body UEFA could ultimately give captive places to some bigger clubs and play matches at weekends. "We will always protect our weekends. We will not allow European club competition to be played at weekends," European Leagues Deputy General Secretary Alberto Colombo told Reuters. "The passion of football fans is driven by local football and by their tradition to go to the stadium with family and friends on Saturday and Sunday." Colombo added that under the current model the clubs earned places in UEFA club competition by finishing at the top of their respective leagues. "If you give the big clubs guaranteed places in UEFA Club Competition and you destroy this model, it will devalue domestic football which drives the passion of fans," he said. European club football runs in three-year cycles with the current one ending in 2021. The format for the 2021-24 cycle was decided last year with the addition of new third-tier competition in addition to the Champions League and the Europa League. However, revenue distribution for the 2021-24 cycle has not been settled and European Leagues are arguing for a greater share of the spoils to be given to the clubs who do not qualify for European competition. It wants so-called solidarity payments to be increased from the current 7.3 per cent to 20 per cent in the next cycle. In a recent statement, the Leagues said it was "imperative to increase solidarity so as to safeguard the dream of all clubs, and not just a few rich ones, to perform in a fair competitive environment."

European Leagues say will not allow UEFA competitions at weekends