Soccer belongs to the world

Soccer is much more than a business. That was the message from Giorgio Marchetti, the Deputy General Secretary of UEFA, the governing body for the sport in Europe, during a wide-ranging conversation with Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, founder and global CEO of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance, on the current state of the game and the importance of the steps being taken to safeguard its future.

The interview took place on the opening day of the ESTAAD Conference in Saudi Arabia, a dedicated platform for sports, entertainment and large-scale venue and infrastructure development.

Soccer is rooted in community

Asked how far soccer should go in its growth and evolution, Marchetti didn’t hesitate: “As far as possible.” But he quickly added that the game is grounded in “traditions and community,” and those foundations must be protected. If the business side gets pushed ahead of the sport itself, he warned, the game “will develop in a negative way.”

Marchetti stressed that the European sports model is vital, describing a structure in which revenue generated at the top supports the grassroots. “We are one pyramid,” he said.

Maintaining competitive balance in soccer

One of UEFA’s biggest challenges, Marchetti said, is maintaining competitive balance and ensuring uncertainty of outcome. The tendency for the rich to get richer, he explained, is not unique to sport but a global trend influenced by market forces and technological change.

One way UEFA is addressing the issue is by distributing revenue to clubs that do not participate in its competitions — the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. According to Marchetti, the share distributed has risen from 4 percent to 7 percent, with a total of €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) allocated. He described this as “solidarity at an unparalleled level.”

The rise of women’s soccer

Marchetti also underlined the importance of women’s soccer, saying UEFA is committed to the long-term development of the women’s game. While UEFA plans to invest €1 billion ($1,2 billion) across its next five-year strategy through 2030, he stressed that leadership and strong structures matter just as much as funding — “which UEFA invested in a long time ago.”

He noted the remarkable growth of women’s soccer at every level, driven not only by UEFA but also by clubs and grassroots initiatives.

Integrity at the core of sport

Macedo de Medeiros, whose work with SIGA focuses on advancing integrity in sport, asked what UEFA is doing beyond strengthening its own governance. Marchetti said soccer will lose its appeal if it is not perceived as fully credible. He cited UEFA’s club licensing system, designed to ensure clubs are financially healthy, along with financial sustainability rules.

Another key development, he said, is that the governance of the game has evolved. Decisions are no longer imposed unilaterally by governing bodies but built through consensus among stakeholders, with formal structures that require consultation with fans and clubs. “The process is still going on,” Marchetti said, “but we have to continue.”

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