Andrea Agnelli has been re-elected as chairman of the European Club Association (ECA) despite having his plans for an overhaul of the Champions League rejected across the game.
The Juventus chief headed up proposals to introduce four groups of eight creating 14 group stage matches with the top six in each group assured of a place the following season regardless of how they fared in their domestic leagues.
Spanish and English clubs led the opposition to the plan which would have undermined their leagues and created an elite funded by the Champions League for clubs that are finishing third bottom in their group.
Despite the plans being ditched yesterday Juventus chief Agnelli has been re-elected as ECA chairman which is likely to lead to renewed conflict with clubs and leagues determined to retain their current level of importance.
Following his re-election Agnelli told the ECA website:
I am honoured to have been re-elected to lead this organisation over the next four years and would like to place on record my strong appreciation to my fellow Board members for the trust they have placed in me. The coming years will be key as we look to reach decisions to ensure the long-term viability and well-being of the game in Europe. I believe ECA is in a strong position to meet this challenge with the mix of club leaders that will sit beside me on the Executive Board and look forward to the months ahead as we continue our work in shaping club football.
Peter Lawwell was re-elected onto the 24 man Executive Committee of the ECA.
ECA Executive Board, 2019-23 pic.twitter.com/EQm8L8JKDU
— ECA (@ECAEurope) September 10, 2019