NYON: European football’s clubs body is heading for its annual meeting in Barcelona next month without having a replacement for the local club’s Sandro Rosell in place as second vice-chairman.

The European Club Association’s general assembly had long been scheduled for the Catalan capital at which Rosell had been expected to appear in a high-visbility role.

That was until his resignation as Barcelona president last month under the weight of controversy, most recently over the terms of the transfers of Brazilian superstar Neymar from Santos last summer.

He had been a member of the ECA executive board and also of European football federation’s professional football strategy council. He resigned both roles after stepping out of Barcelona.

Committee man

Rosell had been a member of the ECA executive board since September 2010 and represented the association on various UEFA and FIFA committees. He was also chairman of the ECA marketing and communication working group and held the ECA second vice-chairmanship.

An ECA statement said: “The Executive Board deeply regrets the circumstances under which Sandro Rosell left FC Barcelona and would like to thank him for his commitment and invaluable input. The Board wishes him all the best for his personal and professional future.”

A decision regarding Sandro Rosell’s replacement on the board and the UEFA PSC was postponed to a further meeting.

In the meantime, ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will participate alongside Ivan Gazidis (Arsenal), Umberto Gandini (Milan) and Evgeni Giner (CSKA Moscow) on behalf of ECA in the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council.

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