The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has formed a partnership with FIFA, aimed at improving the standards of professional club management and administration across the league’s first and second division clubs.
The deal was agreed by the Presidents of each organisation who signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which follows an independent review of the QSL that identified strategic initiatives to improve the competitiveness and entertainment level of the league.
Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, QSL President, stated: “Post the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 we are looking at the next era of Qatari football. We have an ambitious plan to transform our club game and critical to our success will be for every QSL club to aspire to become a model professional club on and off the pitch.
“To help the QSL and all member clubs on this journey, FIFA is the perfect partner. Through this agreement we can collectively access huge experience, insight, and practical knowledge and turn it to our advantage.”
The Memorandum of Understanding reinforces the importance of setting new standards of off-field club performance and supporting professional club development.
Six core areas of club business that this will cover has been highlighted as club governance and management, football, matchday operations, revenue generation, marketing and community.
All clubs will be required to build ‘strong internal management teams’ and to implement budgeted plans in the six areas. Furthermore, FIFA also reported that clubs failing to comply with the CPA will receive sanctions from the 2023/24 season onwards.
“FIFA is delighted to support the development of the Qatar Stars League, as part of FIFA‘s vision to make football truly global and create a more competitive and sustainable global ecosystem, where more clubs, leagues and players from all around the world can compete at the highest level,” added FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
“Therefore, FIFA stands ready to support the Qatar Stars League in its ground-breaking and exciting development and transformation plan, and we are looking forward to playing our part in helping talented individuals and progressive clubs to achieve their goals and bring Qatar football to the next level on and off the pitch.”
Additionally, the football governing body will support the QSL and its clubs by providing bespoke assistance, running workshops in multiple business areas, in a bid to provide a ‘smooth transfer of knowledge’ from international leagues.
