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Kieran Maguire reveals Aston Villa 'fear' as rebel group forms
Aston Villa will attempt to gain equal voting power and financial distribution after choosing to back the Union of European Clubs.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that Villa ‘fear’ that revenue distribution is becoming increasingly polarised in Europe.
As reported by The Independent, a European ‘war’ is breaking out between different organising bodies, with the Union of European Clubs [UEC] and the European Club Association [ECA] both trying to wrestle control from Uefa.
The UEC is a new body created for clubs who do not feel their interests are sufficiently represented at the top level.
While the ECA has a large say in European football with hundreds of members, only a small number of clubs are granted voting power.
A handful of English clubs, including Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Brighton and Watford attended the UEC’s launch and have chosen to back the organisation.
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Maguire believes the formation of the UEC is necessary to allow the voices of smaller clubs to be heard.
“Clubs such as Aston Villa are considering joining the UEC because the ECA, while it claims to have many members, grants very few clubs voting power,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“Ultimately, you can’t be a diner unless you are asked to dine and given a chance to choose the menu.
“The ECA, which is very much commanded by the large clubs, is not seen to represent the views and concerns of the broader football base.
“Having an alternative to the ECA makes some sense and it allows the voices of clubs to be heard.
“There is a genuine fear from clubs such as Villa that there is increased polarisation of revenue distribution within football, which has an impact both domestically and throughout Europe.“
In other news, Emery tells Aston Villa he wants to accept Digne offer