The decision to join the UEC follows extensive discussions, underpinned by a strong alignment in values and a shared understanding of the key challenges facing the game today.
Dave Cormack, Chairman of Aberdeen FC said: “Joining the UEC is a natural step for us. Throughout our discussions, it became clear that we share a common understanding of the key challenges facing football today and an alignment of what some of the potential threats are on the horizon.
“There are recurring themes across most of the domestic leagues in Europe, and we believe the UEC is the right platform to help drive meaningful change, from improving financial and competitive balance to ensuring youth development is properly recognised and rewarded.”
The Club joins the UEC at a time when financial disparities, partly driven by UEFA competition revenues, and governance structures continue to place increasing pressure on domestic leagues and competitive balance across Europe.
We have offered up ideas and suggestions to the Scottish FA and other clubs about greater revenue sharing within its domestic league, such as sharing revenues generated through participating in UEFA league stages, reflecting a broader commitment to solidarity and long-term sustainability that seeks to redress some of that imbalance caused by increasing UEFA revenues.
This approach aligns closely with the UEC’s mission to promote fairer distribution models and to ensure that clubs of all sizes have a meaningful opportunity to compete and grow. Aberdeen FC also brings an important perspective on youth development and training compensation reform.
The Club has played a notable role in developing players for the Scottish national team, including several members of the Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026 squads. However, the absence of direct benefits through existing UEFA mechanisms has highlighted structural shortcomings in how academies are rewarded.
Through its membership in the UEC, Aberdeen FC aims to actively contribute to ongoing efforts to reform and update training compensation systems, both domestically and internationally, ensuring that clubs investing in player development are properly recognised and supported.
The membership further strengthens the UEC’s position as a representative body advocating for more democratic governance in European football. The organisation continues to push for reforms such as the “one club, one vote” principle, addressing the current imbalance where around 20 elite European clubs hold disproportionate influence.
The beautiful game of football has been developed over the last 150 years by hundreds and hundreds of professional clubs across all of Europe. Unchecked, these so-called elite clubs believe they are entitled to decide how European club football is managed including accessing and generating billions of Euros for themselves from the millions of supporters of clubs outside of their elite group.
By joining the UEC, Aberdeen FC signals its commitment to working collaboratively with like-minded clubs across Europe to develop innovative solutions that address systemic challenges and support the entire football pyramid.
Dennis Gudasic, General Secretary of the UEC: “Aberdeen FC is a historic club that stands for strong values and forward-thinking leadership. Their commitment to fairness, solidarity and reform aligns perfectly with the UEC’s mission. We are delighted to welcome them and look forward to their active contribution as we continue to advocate for a more balanced, democratic and sustainable future for European football.”
