Polish Football Association Faces Heat Over VAR Modernization and Youth Player Rules
The Polish Football Association (PZPN) recently found itself under scrutiny during a meeting with Ekstraklasa club CEOs in Warsaw. The gathering, initially intended to discuss positive developments such as VAR modernization and a potential VAR centre, quickly escalated into a heated debate over the association’s handling of key issues.
PZPN President Cezary Kulesza arrived at the meeting with promising updates. He announced plans to upgrade the VAR vehicles,whose condition had previously raised concerns,and revealed that the association is exploring the construction of a dedicated VAR center. Additionally, Kulesza shared that PZPN had signed a letter of intent with Double Pass, a Belgian consultancy, to audit and certify clubs, provide management training, and adapt programs for specialists.
Though, the atmosphere shifted when Marcin Animucki, CEO of ekstraklasa SA, opened the floor for questions. Dariusz Mioduski,owner of Legia Warsaw,seized the chance to voice his dissatisfaction.”At the beginning, everything was going according to the election promises and the clubs could be satisfied,” Mioduski said. “But later something changed, there was a blockade by the Polish Football Association.”
Youth Player Rule Sparks Controversy
Mioduski’s comments ignited a broader discussion about the contentious youth player rule, which has been a source of frustration for club presidents for months. The rule mandates that clubs field at least one youth player in matches, with financial penalties for non-compliance. While clubs have long advocated for its abolition,the PZPN board maintained the regulation at the start of the current season,much to their dismay.
During the meeting, Kulesza defended the decision, arguing that the proposal to abolish the rule was incomplete. He noted that the working group had onyl three weeks to prepare the project and emphasized the need for consensus with district union presidents, who hold important sway in the PZPN management board.
Wojciech Cygan, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Raków, and Łukasz jabłoński, vice-president of Motor lublin, were among those who voted in favor of abolishing the rule. Meanwhile,Karol Klimczak of Lech Poznań and Marcin Janicki of warta Poznań abstained,and Tomasz Lisiński of Odra Opole supported its retention.
The debate highlighted a growing rift between the PZPN and club executives, with some accusing the association of failing to engage in meaningful dialogue. “After Kulesza’s words, Gypsy, who belonged to the team working on changes to the recipe, felt called to the board,” one attendee noted. “He presented the chronology: from the clubs’ presentation of their position a year ago at the December meeting in Jachranka to the following months, in which, according to him, there was a lack of willingness to cooperate on the part of the decision-makers in the association.”
As the meeting concluded, it became clear that the PZPN faces significant challenges in rebuilding trust with its stakeholders. The association’s leadership will need to address these concerns swiftly to avoid further escalation and ensure the smooth operation of poland’s top football league.
For now,the focus remains on the ongoing modernization of VAR technology and the potential establishment of a VAR center,both of which could have a transformative impact on Polish football. However, the association’s ability to navigate the political landscape and satisfy the demands of its member clubs will be crucial to its success.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the PZPN and Ekstraklasa clubs continue to navigate these critical issues.
Zbigniew Jakubas, the influential owner of Motor Lublin, has stepped into the spotlight of Polish football, voicing his opinions on key issues during a recent meeting of top club officials. Known for his growing influence in the football world, Jakubas shared his outlook on the controversial youth rule, sparking a heated debate among industry leaders.
“I’m new to the game, but for me it’s simple,” Jakubas remarked. “if clubs want to abolish this regulation,why did the Polish football Association reject it?”
His comments were met with a cautious response from another participant,who suggested avoiding the term “failed.” Jakubas, undeterred, fired back with a provocative question: “Or maybe the name should be changed from PZPN to PZPR?”
The Motor Lublin owner was especially vocal during the meeting, highlighting the significant investments he has made in infrastructure in lublin. His remarks drew a response from Tomasz Stamirowski, the owner of Widzew, who lamented the lack of funding for training facilities and questioned whether the Polish Football Association could provide support to clubs. Jakubas, however, argued that Widzew could fund its own training center, as he had done with Motor. The exchange highlighted a clear divide between the two club owners.
A Call for Better Cooperation Between PZPN and Clubs
The youth rule remained a central topic of discussion, with Dariusz Mioduski, a key figure in Polish football, urging for improved collaboration between the Polish Football Association and clubs. Mioduski attempted to calm the increasingly tense atmosphere, asking, “Can we count on better cooperation with the Polish Football Association?”
Other notable figures, including Wojciech Pertkiewicz, the outgoing president of Jagiellonia, and Michał Siara, from Górnik’s management board, also expressed their dissatisfaction with the current regulation. The meeting underscored the growing frustration among club owners and the need for meaningful dialogue to address these concerns.
As the debate continues, Jakubas’s outspoken stance has positioned him as a key player in shaping the future of Polish football. His commitment to investing in infrastructure and his willingness to challenge the status quo could prove instrumental in driving change within the sport.
The question remains: will the Polish Football Association heed the calls for reform, or will the divide between clubs and the governing body deepen?
The recent meeting of top-tier Polish football club presidents revealed a tense atmosphere, with many expressing dissatisfaction over current regulations. Observers from the first league, including Sylwiusz Mucha-Orliński of Znicz Pruszków, watched the heated discussions with a sense of detachment, even joking about needing popcorn. Mucha-Orliński later commented, “You talk and talk, but it is your barons who need to be met and asked whether they want changes at all?”
Elections Loom: Has Cezary Kulesza Created an Opposition?
the gathering took place just months before the Polish football association (PZPN) elections, where current president Cezary Kulesza is seeking a second term. Kulesza, who has been at the helm of PZPN, may have been caught off guard by the wave of criticism from club presidents. Though, he found support in Wojciech Strzałkowski, a shareholder of Jagiellonia and chairman of the Ekstraklasa supervisory Board, who pledged to present a new solution regarding youth player regulations by the end of January.
As the election approaches, the question arises: has Kulesza inadvertently created an opposition within the ranks of club presidents? While no rival candidate has publicly emerged yet, some speculate that a challenger could arise from the discontented club leaders. Among the names mentioned is Gypsy,though he has not confirmed his intention to run.
The relationship between Kulesza and the club presidents is described as “very tense” by one participant of the convention. This tension could have significant implications for the future of Polish football,especially as the association navigates upcoming elections and ongoing debates over key regulations.
As the drama unfolds, the football community watches closely to see how these internal conflicts will shape the direction of Polish football in the coming years.
