Both in sport and in politics, Europe represents community and diversity as well as a certain longing. Europe – as a synonym for European club competitions – electrifies football fans and players alike, and few clubs live their appearances in UEFA competitions as passionately as Eintracht Frankfurt.
It is therefore only natural that a joint meeting was organised during the first team’s visit to the heart of European politics – the city of Brussels – so that Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), sports and business stakeholders as well as representatives of EU institutions and the media could get to know each other and exchange ideas. Over 200 guests attended the joint event organised by Eintracht Frankfurt and the Representation of the State of Hesse to the European Union at the Brussels Representation.
They included Eintracht Frankfurt CEO Axel Hellmann, board members Markus Krösche and Philipp Reschke, board advisor Rainer Falkenhain and the EFC Euro-Adler, a fan club consisting of MEPs, as well as EU officials, association representatives and journalists.
Europe – specifically the European Union – is facing numerous challenges. The upcoming European elections in June 2024 are more important than probably ever before. A lot is at stake, and a strong united front is of great importance. Thus, everyone involved agreed that every vote counts. For democracy. For democratic parties and values.
After Karin Müller, Hessian Secretary of State for Europe, opened the event with a welcome speech, a short version of the film about Eintracht's Europa League success in 2022, “In This Year - the Film”, edited exclusively for the occasion, was shown.
This emotional opening was followed by an open discussion forum, which Detlef Fechtner, chief political reporter at Börsen-Zeitung, held with Hellmann on the topic of “Football in transition”. The CEO of Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG sent clear messages to politics and society and announced that Eintracht Frankfurt will also make its contribution to democracy in Europe in the run-up to the upcoming European elections.
“As a club, we want to motivate and sensitise people to vote for the European Parliament and stand up for democratic values,” said Hellmann. “Not only through slogan-based campaigns but also through substance, so that strengths are pooled in a spectrum that preserves the European idea.”
During the discussion, the 52-year-old also commented on the decision of the European Court of Justice in the European Super League case and made a clear statement in favour of the European Club Association (ECA), which represents the interests of football clubs via UEFA.
The ECA [...] represents the democratisation of financial power and has made a strong commitment to the principle of solidarity.
Axel Hellmann, CEO of Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG
Hellmann, who was appointed Special Envoy to the ECA Chairman last September, explained: “The European Super League is creating a top elite that wants to capitalise and concentrate financial power. It is not expedient – neither from a footballing nor a social point of view. It doesn’t excite people and doesn’t take into account how the pyramid of football will develop over generations. That cannot be our concept for the future. The ECA, on the other hand, is now taking a broader stance. It represents the democratisation of financial power and has made a strong commitment to the principle of solidarity, which is good for European club football.”
An evening of great significance for Eintracht Frankfurt, because Eintracht and Europe go together just as well in the stadiums of this continent as they do in the social arena. From the heart of Europe to the capital of Europe. For European values.
