GENEVA: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will not run for re-election as chairman of the European Club Association.

The 61-year-old informed his colleagues on the ECA board of his decision during their meeting in Madrid.

Bayern Munich’s chairman said:“Following intense, successful, and good years I believe the time has come to pass on the responsibility. I have always believed this office should only be held for a limited amount of time. My withdrawal from office expresses my sincerity concerning this issue.“

The European Club Association was founded in January  2008 with Rummenigge as the first chairman. Initially, the ECA had 137 member clubs, now 220.

Rummenigge added: “We can be proud of what we achieved in cooperation with FIFA and UEFA. ll of our players are now insured for all international fixtures and the clubs now receive compensation when their professionals participate in a World or European Championship.

“Furthermore, the clubs now have two seats on the UEFA executive board and are thus involved in scheduling the match calendar and other vital decisions concerning the clubs.

“ECA clubs enjoy great harmony and solidarity. The biggest clubs like Champions League winners Real Madrid work in partnership with smaller clubs like UE Sant Julia from Andorra and treat them accordingly.

“The European top clubs feel great solidarity with the medium-sized and smaller clubs while these smaller clubs have an understanding for the needs of the big clubs. I am particularly proud of this fact.  The ECA calls itself “The Voice of the Clubs”, and I think nowadays we can say with confidence: The ECA is indeed the voice of the clubs in European football.“

Rummenigge successor will be elected at the next ECA board elections on September 5in Geneva.

An ECA statement, listed what it boasted as its achievements:

2008:  * The ECA enforces compensation for clubs whose players participate in World Cups and European Championships.

* The ECA obtains a say in scheduling the match calendar

* The ECA is involved in all decision-making processes concerning the European club competitions.

2012:  * The ECA ensures that the governing bodies must insure players competing in the European Championship and World Cup tournaments.

2015:  * The ECA achieves the first agreement in history between the clubs and FIFA. Among other things, this agreement determines that the clubs are now involved in all important decision-making processes affecting club football. 

* The ECA ensures that the clubs receive two seats in the UEFA Executive Committee for the first time in the history of football.

2016:  * Creation of the UEFA Club Competitions SA, which will organise and market the European club competitions in the future. UEFA and ECA are equally represented regarding all rights and seats.

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