Latest news with #ECA
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How PSG's ‘kingmaker' seized chance to reshape football's future
If you are one of the UK's many new padel enthusiasts, it's ultimately because of one man, who you might not expect. He is going to be prominent at Saturday's Champions League final, and has already appeared in a social media-friendly CBS interview with Micah Richards after the semi-final. That is Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. A former tennis professional, he saw the potential in padel, and put Qatar's immense financial weight behind the new sport. Qatar Sports Investments, who also own PSG, control Premier Padel and the World Padel Tour. Advertisement The world's fastest-growing sport feels like a curious place to start a discussion about the world's most popular sport, and its biggest club game, but there is a point. Those who know Al-Khelaifi say he 'sees around corners, picks opportunities'. That has definitely been the case with padel, but it has arguably been most visible with European football, and what happened after the Super League and sparked a secret 'war' for European football's future. Numerous sources insist PSG were involved right up until 'the last minute'. They counter that they were never members, and Al-Khelaifi had a principled opposition. A huge opportunity was nevertheless seized. While Qatar have managed to get in on the ground floor with padel, they have gradually made it to the top of the European club game. Advertisement The resignations from the European Club Association (ECA) that followed the Super League allowed Al-Khelaifi to rise to the chair of that organisation, even if those close to him insist he rejected requests to fill that role for three days after that April 2021 crisis. Al-Khelaifi has still run with it since. The ECA, which grew from the big clubs' 'G14' and now represents all those in European competition, has drastically expanded in scale and influence. It is much more than a lobby group. The ECA has established a joint venture with Uefa, called UC3, where they both have 50-50 of the Champions League. This control is what the big clubs always wanted, right through the talks that led to the Super League. Ousmane Dembele has led Paris Saint-Germain's attack this season (Getty) Marquinhos has been a mainstay of PSG over the years (AP) And who is at the top? An official whose ultimate responsibility is to the Emir of Qatar. Rival executives have questioned whether this is appropriate for the European game. LaLiga's Javier Tebas is one of many to criticise Al-Khelaifi's 'conflict of interests', given he also runs a major broadcaster in the form of BeIn Sport. Advertisement It is why this weekend may not just crown PSG's final rise as a club, to get what Qatar always wanted, in the Champions League itself. The trophy arriving in a first full season of the new format may also symbolically complete Al-Khelaifi's own rise, as well as the evolution of the competition into something more. The point has already been stressed about how this might just be the Super League by another name, with Uefa's approval, driven by greater powers. The opening stage is now literally a 'super league', given that it features 36 teams and runs parallel to domestic competitions. The absurd entry of six English clubs next season is almost too brazen, given the original plans. Both Uefa and the ECA have nevertheless been keen to celebrate the new format's success. There is delight at how CBS had a record audience for a non-final game with Inter Milan v Barcelona. That isn't really down to any change, though. It's merely the old-fashioned jeopardy of true knock-out football, that can't be engineered. Either way, the next stage is to really capitalise on this American popularity. Uefa and the ECA have gone into partnership with US agency Relevent, whose speciality is big games in the States. That isn't necessarily about finals in New York, however, but maximising 'fan engagement' with new ideas and increasing revenues by 10-20 per cent. Supporter groups like the FSA would see that as 'entertainment elements' like pre-game shows that they would actively oppose. Who actually wants it? Paris Saint Germain's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi is head of the ECA, which has become the 'Kingmaker' (AFP via Getty Images) His power is growing and could be boosted by Champions League success for PSG this weekend (AFP via Getty Images) Al-Khelaifi is otherwise described, approvingly, as someone who 'drives change'. He is very hard working, with a ferocious temper, but has a charm. That has worked well, given a lot of rival executives say he isn't especially liked. The European football structure has certainly changed. Advertisement Under the Qatari, the ECA has almost become a third major institution alongside Fifa and Uefa. Al-Khelaifi is very close to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, and has a good relationship with Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino. Insiders even describe this ECA as 'a kingmaker'. If there's a dispute, the side they take usually wins. The body was crucial to the Club World Cup getting off the ground. 'They are pulling levers without people even realising,' one senior source says. Such politics are intriguing in light of the recent row about Infantino's late arrival at the Fifa Congress in Paraguay, and how quickly Uefa anger was quelled with a conciliatory statement. Some insiders insist this is all consistent with what reformers have called for. European courts are now taking a dim view on Fifa and Uefa serving as both regulators and competition organisers with commercial interests. Advertisement This ECA-led system dilutes that – but should it be at the behest of bigger clubs, and bigger powers? The ECA would point to their expanded membership, how everything is democratically run, and that Al-Khelaifi's leadership pushed the Europa Conference League. The Qatari himself is said to want the ECA to be more recognised as a brand, in terms of the good work it does in terms of legal and financial services to clubs, as well as the women's game. Critics would say the Union of European Clubs had to be established to give scores of affected clubs a voice, that numerous domestic leagues are fearing for their financial futures, and that they can't trust the ECA to consider the whole ecosystem. Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (EPA) QSI's takeover of PSG led to the club taking a financial stranglehold of Ligue 1 in the years that followed (AFP/Getty) That ecosystem is increasingly shaped by the positioning for the next land grab, which is in that burgeoning US soccer market, and what happens next with streaming. Advertisement That's where some attuned figures also see a new era. Much has been made of the Premier League no longer having a real rival, but there is a fear that is exactly what the ECA want the Champions League to be – and eventually to play on weekends. Those on the European side literally laugh about such complaints, given the Premier League's own status as a super league. At the same time, major continental club executives actively want to make English clubs weaker while building something of their own. That might be logical, and necessary, but it also illustrates one of modern football's endless arms races. Premier League clubs talk of consequently having to go bolder and more global. So much of this still comes back to these persistent modern themes, how football is looked at as a commodity to be used, rather than a cultural good. It's why the nature of leadership is so crucial. Advertisement The Champions League has certainly led the way in the 'financialisation' of football, where virtually everything is looked at in monetary terms. You only had to watch the Europa League final or the Premier League's last day. Paris Saint-Germain fans celebrate victory with flares after the final whistle in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal (PA) PSG fans celebrate in the streets of Paris (The Associated Press) At the centre of that is the ECA, headed by PSG's Qatari president, whose state primarily see political value in the game. 'People do think that is outrageous,' one source says. 'If you're Qatar, you'd say he's a genius. He's a major governance figure, Qatar Airways a main sponsor.' Qatar's club may now win the Champions League. It didn't even take a game of padel for networking.
The National
19 hours ago
- Health
- The National
Abu Dhabi's new index to support well-being of children in emirate
Abu Dhabi Childhood Authority (ECA) has launched a system that collates data from different aspects of children's lives and can flag up if there is a need to intervene for the child's well-being. The system, which applies to all children in Abu Dhabi up to the age of 18, has been introduced to answer the question: how do we know if a child is thriving? The index will work by collating information from health organisations, education bodies and social services. Cross-referencing this data will allow the ECA to identify any problems affecting a child's well-being and their performance in other aspects of their life. Who will benefit The index will act as a guide for decision-making on everything from children's education, health, culture and emotional well-being, said another senior figure involved with the project. It will ensure that policies affecting children are grounded in evidence and real-world impact, and that progress can be measured over time, said Laila Al Hassan, director of outreach and partnerships with the ECA. She gave obesity as a clear example of where better data was urgently needed. "With this index, we can track if our efforts, from policy to urban planning, are actually working," she said. "And if they're not, we'll know we need to shift direction.' She shared two recent cases that illustrate how cross-sectoral data can change lives – names have been changed for confidentiality. 'Farah is 11. Every morning she watched her neighbours head to school while she stayed home, because her mother couldn't drop her off until late. She was caring for Farah's ill grandmother. It wasn't that Farah didn't want to go, she simply couldn't," said Ms Al Hassan. The family were flagged to authorities with evidence of a pattern of chronic absenteeism, which triggered an intervention. "The Social Support Authority arranged home care for the grandmother, and suddenly Farah could attend school like everyone else. Her attendance improved, her learning improved, and her whole future shifted.' Another case, she said, involved a six-year-old girl named Ayesha. 'She was an average student with frequent absences. She also had multiple hospital visits for injuries. Alone, each incident might seem unremarkable. Children fall. Families go through divorce. But together, the data painted a very different picture,' said Ms Al Hassan. 'Because we're now looking at children's lives holistically, connecting health, education, family and social support, Ayesha didn't fall through the cracks. She was flagged as high-risk and received the attention she needed. 'These stories aren't exceptions. They're examples of what's possible when government entities share data, collaborate across sectors and follow through. It's not just about collecting numbers. It's about translating insight into real help, at the right time.' Focus on wellbeing "Over the past three years, the ECA has convened with global leaders and UAE policymakers to discuss data-driven insights on child well-being," said Yousef Al Hammadi, ECA executive director of knowledge and impact. 'Children's well-being involves us all – caregivers, parents, teachers, clinicians, and society as a whole. There is already a wealth of data on children's education, cognitive and social development, early detection of developmental challenges, health care, mental and physical well-being, family cohesion, and financial stability. Our goal is to analyse these aspects holistically, identifying challenges and opportunities with the support of our partners." To achieve this, the ECA is working closely with organisations across different sectors, including the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH), Department of Government Enablement (DGE), Department of Community Development (DCD), and others. Initial research showed there was no unified definition of a 'thriving child', according to the organisation. There are multiples phases to the index the first of which involves defining the framework and key indicators and is expected to be completed soon. The preliminary analysis is expected to be ready by the end of the year, while the final version of the index is expected to take up to two years. Global research The ECA is working with international partners from Australia, Europe and the US to ensure the project is in line with with global standards, while still being tailored to the UAE's specific needs. The UAE has already taken several measures to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children. Earlier this year The National reported how the UAE's first digital detox clinic for children had opened in Abu Dhabi offering a programme to address the growing problem of screen addiction in young people. The challenges facing those tasked with looking after the physical well-being of children were highlighted in a recent report by the medical journal The Lancet, which stated that one in three teenagers in the Middle East is expected to be obese by 2030. 'One of our major priorities is understanding what it means for a child to thrive. We have identified the characteristics of an 'aspirational child' – one who reaches their full potential in a safe and supportive environment," said Mr Al Hammadi. 'This project will not only help policymakers but also provide valuable insights for parents and caregivers. The goal is to ensure that every child in the UAE has the opportunity to thrive in an environment that nurtures their development,' he said.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How PSG's ‘kingmaker' seized chance to reshape football's future
If you are one of the UK's many new padel enthusiasts, it's ultimately because of one man, who you might not expect. He is going to be prominent at Saturday's Champions League final, and has already appeared in a social media-friendly CBS interview with Micah Richards after the semi-final. That is Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. A former tennis professional, he saw the potential in padel, and put Qatar's immense financial weight behind the new sport. Qatar Sports Investments, who also own PSG, control Premier Padel and the World Padel Tour. The world's fastest-growing sport feels like a curious place to start a discussion about the world's most popular sport, and its biggest club game, but there is a point. Those who know Al-Khelaifi say he 'sees around corners, picks opportunities'. That has definitely been the case with padel, but it has arguably been most visible with European football, and what happened after the Super League and sparked a secret 'war' for European football's future. Numerous sources insist PSG were involved right up until 'the last minute'. They counter that they were never members, and Al-Khelaifi had a principled opposition. A huge opportunity was nevertheless seized. While Qatar have managed to get in on the ground floor with padel, they have gradually made it to the top of the European club game. The resignations from the European Club Association (ECA) that followed the Super League allowed Al-Khelaifi to rise to the chair of that organisation, even if those close to him insist he rejected requests to fill that role for three days after that April 2021 crisis. Al-Khelaifi has still run with it since. The ECA, which grew from the big clubs' 'G14' and now represents all those in European competition, has drastically expanded in scale and influence. It is much more than a lobby group. The ECA has established a joint venture with Uefa, called UC3, where they both have 50-50 of the Champions League. This control is what the big clubs always wanted, right through the talks that led to the Super League. And who is at the top? An official whose ultimate responsibility is to the Emir of Qatar. Rival executives have questioned whether this is appropriate for the European game. LaLiga's Javier Tebas is one of many to criticise Al-Khelaifi's 'conflict of interests', given he also runs a major broadcaster in the form of BeIn Sport. It is why this weekend may not just crown PSG's final rise as a club, to get what Qatar always wanted, in the Champions League itself. The trophy arriving in a first full season of the new format may also symbolically complete Al-Khelaifi's own rise, as well as the evolution of the competition into something more. The point has already been stressed about how this might just be the Super League by another name, with Uefa's approval, driven by greater powers. The opening stage is now literally a 'super league', given that it features 36 teams and runs parallel to domestic competitions. The absurd entry of six English clubs next season is almost too brazen, given the original plans. Both Uefa and the ECA have nevertheless been keen to celebrate the new format's success. There is delight at how CBS had a record audience for a non-final game with Inter Milan v Barcelona. That isn't really down to any change, though. It's merely the old-fashioned jeopardy of true knock-out football, that can't be engineered. Either way, the next stage is to really capitalise on this American popularity. Uefa and the ECA have gone into partnership with US agency Relevent, whose speciality is big games in the States. That isn't necessarily about finals in New York, however, but maximising 'fan engagement' with new ideas and increasing revenues by 10-20 per cent. Supporter groups like the FSA would see that as 'entertainment elements' like pre-game shows that they would actively oppose. Who actually wants it? Al-Khelaifi is otherwise described, approvingly, as someone who 'drives change'. He is very hard working, with a ferocious temper, but has a charm. That has worked well, given a lot of rival executives say he isn't especially liked. The European football structure has certainly changed. Under the Qatari, the ECA has almost become a third major institution alongside Fifa and Uefa. Al-Khelaifi is very close to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, and has a good relationship with Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino. Insiders even describe this ECA as 'a kingmaker'. If there's a dispute, the side they take usually wins. The body was crucial to the Club World Cup getting off the ground. 'They are pulling levers without people even realising,' one senior source says. Such politics are intriguing in light of the recent row about Infantino's late arrival at the Fifa Congress in Paraguay, and how quickly Uefa anger was quelled with a conciliatory statement. Some insiders insist this is all consistent with what reformers have called for. European courts are now taking a dim view on Fifa and Uefa serving as both regulators and competition organisers with commercial interests. This ECA-led system dilutes that – but should it be at the behest of bigger clubs, and bigger powers? The ECA would point to their expanded membership, how everything is democratically run, and that Al-Khelaifi's leadership pushed the Europa Conference League. The Qatari himself is said to want the ECA to be more recognised as a brand, in terms of the good work it does in terms of legal and financial services to clubs, as well as the women's game. Critics would say the Union of European Clubs had to be established to give scores of affected clubs a voice, that numerous domestic leagues are fearing for their financial futures, and that they can't trust the ECA to consider the whole ecosystem. That ecosystem is increasingly shaped by the positioning for the next land grab, which is in that burgeoning US soccer market, and what happens next with streaming. That's where some attuned figures also see a new era. Much has been made of the Premier League no longer having a real rival, but there is a fear that is exactly what the ECA want the Champions League to be – and eventually to play on weekends. Those on the European side literally laugh about such complaints, given the Premier League's own status as a super league. At the same time, major continental club executives actively want to make English clubs weaker while building something of their own. That might be logical, and necessary, but it also illustrates one of modern football's endless arms races. Premier League clubs talk of consequently having to go bolder and more global. So much of this still comes back to these persistent modern themes, how football is looked at as a commodity to be used, rather than a cultural good. It's why the nature of leadership is so crucial. The Champions League has certainly led the way in the 'financialisation' of football, where virtually everything is looked at in monetary terms. You only had to watch the Europa League final or the Premier League's last day. At the centre of that is the ECA, headed by PSG's Qatari president, whose state primarily see political value in the game. 'People do think that is outrageous,' one source says. 'If you're Qatar, you'd say he's a genius. He's a major governance figure, Qatar Airways a main sponsor.' Qatar's club may now win the Champions League. It didn't even take a game of padel for networking.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
New B-BBEE policy direction ‘not giving Musk's Starlink special dispensation' amid MPs' calls for its removal
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi's appearance before Parliament follows his publication of a policy direction for public comment that could potentially allow South Africa-born tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink internet service provider to operate in the country without ceding ownership. While the policy direction doesn't mention Starlink by name, the timing of its publication is key. Minister Malatsi says the recent publication of a policy directive that could significantly alter the way South Africa regulates empowerment in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector was not giving Elon Musk's satellite internet service provider 'special dispensation'. 'We are not attempting to open a special dispensation for Starlink or any other company or an individual,' Malatsi told the committee. But several MPs remained unconvinced. ANC MP Shaik Subrathie said the ANC called for the 'withdrawal' of the proposal. MK MP Colleen Makhubele asked when Malatsi would be reversing this 'illegal and unlawful regulation'. And EFF MP Sixolisa Gcilishe said the party would challenge 'this unconstitutional proposal' in Parliament and in the courts. 'We are not about to accept a situation where our laws are rewritten in Washington,' she said. Malatsi's appearance before Parliament follows his publication of a policy direction for public comment that could potentially allow South Africa-born tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink internet service provider to operate in the country without ceding ownership. While the policy direction doesn't mention Starlink by name, the timing of its publication is key. It follows President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump's face-to-face meeting in Washington last week. Pretoria had been negotiating a workaround that would overcome Musk's opposition to South Africa's BEE ownership before Ramaphosa's visit to the White House, as it sought to improve strained relations with the US and reach a trade deal, according to a Bloomberg report. The publication reported Pretoria was expected to offer the deal to Musk at a meeting on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, the day before Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump. But Ramaphosa, at a press conference after the meeting between the leaders, said the issue of Starlink was not discussed. Musk has criticised the country's BEE policies ad nauseam, accusing South Africa of having 'openly racist ownership laws'. The proposed policy direction gazetted by Malatsi's department on Friday, 23 May, provides communications licence applicants with a workaround to rule in the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) that requires licence holders to be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups. This is the main barrier that has prevented Starlink from applying for a licence to operate in South Africa, as it does not comply with the rule, according to a News24 report. We are not about to accept a situation where our laws are rewritten in Washington. However, the direction makes it clear that companies will not be exempt from contributing to South Africa's transformation agenda. 'New market entrants — including those offering new or disruptive technologies — will not be exempt from transformation obligations. Even if companies are not rolling out large-scale infrastructure, they will be required to make commitments that are substantive and clearly aligned with South Africa's socioeconomic goals. 'Different technologies may have different rollout models, but transformation is non-negotiable — all players must contribute meaningfully to equity, skills development, and economic inclusion,' reads the policy direction. The proposal immediately drew the ire of the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Khusela Diko (ANC), who, in a post on X, accused it of being a 'spectacular mess-up of process and glaring invitation for litigation'. If I didn't know better I would be convinced that the South African government really wants to keep #Starlink out of this country. In all my thinking life, I have never seen a more spectacular mess up of process and glaring invitation for litigation. From what can easily be… — Khusela Diko🇿🇦 (@KhuselaS) May 23, 2025 Diko invited Malatsi to appear before the committee on Tuesday, to explain the proposed policy direction. 'We thought that it was important to invite the minister to brief the committee on these directives for a number of reasons. 'One, we need to make sure that the minister, at all times, exercises his executive power in a rational manner; in a lawful manner. And second, it seemed quite curious to some of us… the timing of the directives… as all this was happening the president was in the White House where discussions were expected to ensue relating to issues such as the licensing of Starlink,' said Diko. 'Was a deal cut in America?' Subrathie said that the ANC would not 'support this policy directive — actually, we will call for its withdrawal'. 'This matter has indeed gained a great amount of attention from South Africans and internationally, largely because this concerns the wealth of the land of South Africans — the Freedom Charter says very clearly that the people shall own the wealth of this land. 'Alternative equivalent to ownership speaks exactly against that principle,' said Subrathie. He added that it also went against the principle in the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Statement of Intent — 'to which the honourable minister and his party are signatories to' — to promote social justice and equity. Subrathie said the leadership of the ANC had met on Monday, 26 May, and had been asked whether any deal was 'cut' in the US. The party was clear that 'there was no deal cut clearing the path for any Starlink regulations', according to him. 'The African National Congress is clear. Our laws are sacrosanct — there is no backdoor to gaining entry. Anyone wanting to gain entry into this country, especially into the ICT sector — which is a sector that is most disadvantaged — must come to the front door,' said Subrathie. He asked Malatsi whether the DA had had 'any conversations' with Musk. 'While the minister has gone to pains to indicate that this is coincidental, I think South Africans need a very clear answer…' Malatsi later said the public discourse, or 'conspiracy', around him being a DA Minister who was allowed to 'make special dispensation for any interested businesses to operate' in South Africa, 'could (not) be further from the truth'. Process of consulting He said the process of consulting with the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) around easing BEE regulations in the ICT sector for multinational companies began long before Ramaphosa's visit to Washington. 'In previous engagements that we've had with the committee going as far back as last year, we've indicated the efforts from the departments around the full recognition of equity equivalent investment programmes in the ICT sector… This work predates the events of last week; last week was the third layer of that process culminating in the gazette,' said Malatsi. 'I want to be clear, it's not about introducing a dispensation for any individual, nor any company or introducing preference,' he said, adding that the department had begun work on the policy direction in September 2024. 'The policy direction refers specifically to the ICT sector codes that were published under the prescripts of the B-BBEE Act, which we know was adopted in 2013. So the intention is to ensure there is a whole and consistent application of the B-BBEE Act and the ICT sector codes… to ensure that transformation takes place in the telecommunications sector — in the broadcasting sector — in the same way that is applicable in other sectors through the enablement of broad-based economic empowerment,' he said. He further emphasised that the stage at which the policy direction was at now 'is not definitive', as it had been published for public comment. 'This policy direction isn't final yet. Public comments are open for 30 working days. But once enacted, it gives Icasa the political and legal backing to update its ownership regulations and explicitly allow Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes-based compliance,' Daily Maverick's Lindsey Schutters reported. 'It's not definitive because it must also take into consideration what all the inputs that are going to be submitted are going to be.' DM
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Malatsi defends policy directive to ease company transformation targets and BEE requirements
CAPE TOWN - Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has taken to Parliament to defend his policy directive to ease company transformation targets and black economic empowerment (BEE) requirements. Political parties have slammed Malatsi for his decision, which will allow companies to contribute to South Africa in other ways than the traditional ownership model of 30% local ownership, as required by Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) legislation. But Malatsi and his department said the decision was not targeting Elon Musk's Starlink and instead, they wanted to increase competition in the sector to lower prices. Malatsi accepted the committee's invitation to explain to members the rationale behind his decision to issue the policy directive. Malatsi believes current regulations do not allow companies that can contribute to South Africa's transformation goals in ways other than traditional ownership to qualify for individual licences under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). On Tuesday, he stood by his decision and told Members of Parliament (MPs) that transformation was a non-negotiable government policy but there must be choices to encourage economic growth. "Transformation is sacrosanct and non-negotiable. But we are not attempting to open a special dispensation for Starlink. Regulations must consistently make way for two choices when it comes to the role of multinationals." Parties, except the Democratic Alliance (DA), all voiced their opposition to the directive, with some calling on him to resign and withdraw the gazette. ALSO READ:
