Keith Wyness: Everton boosted as new long-term deal agreed
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Dan Friedkin’s role in the European Clubs Association will be a “helpful” boost for the Merseysiders.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the ECA will play a big role in protecting players ahead of Fifa’s plans for a new, expanded Club World Cup next year.
Friedkin has a place on the ECA’s executive committee through his ownership of Roma and is currently in the process of adding Everton to his portfolio through a takeover.
Man City are currently the only English club represented in the 24-person group.
It was confirmed earlier this month (9 October) that the ECA has extended their memorandum of understanding with Uefa until 2033.
Roma were represented in Athens as that deal was signed, with 715 clubs across 55 countries now on board.
Everton to get ‘helpful’ ECA boost when Friedkin takes over, says Wyness
Wyness insisted Friedkin’s place on the executive committee will be “helpful” for Everton.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “This is great.
“I’ve sat on the ECA before myself, but it’s now becoming more powerful.
“Particularly as the battle over match dates ramps up with Fifa and Uefa – the ECA has a seat at that table.
“It’s very important that Everton have that voice, it’s very helpful for everybody.
“It’s a union of clubs, and it goes from smaller clubs all the way to the biggest ones.
“It gives the clubs a body who can lobby Uefa and take strong positions. It’s grown in importance in the last five years and can really impact what direction the game goes in.
“It had a strong effect on the new Champions League format, for example.
“Also, it’s going to be important with protecting the players around this Club World Cup coming up in 2025.
“The ECA is growing in importance and for Everton to have a seat on the board will be helpful.”
In other news, Everton plot January raid for Serie A star.
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