A number of South America's "most powerful" football clubs met on Monday in Montevideo, Uruguay, to form the South American League of Clubs, with the objective of demanding their rights before CONMEBOL, according to the DPA. Argentine first division side San Lorenzo President Matías Lammens said, "This meeting reflects an inflection point for South American football." Execs from many of the continent's top clubs, including Boca Juniors and River Plate, as well as historic clubs in Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Peru and Brazil, were also in attendance. The new organization said in a statement that within 30 days, "rules to regulate the new organization will be approved." The clubs will demand a greater percentage of revenue from the upcoming Copa Libertadores and other int'l tournaments. The founding clubs of the new league will also demand a revision of CONMEBOL's statutes, "with special emphasis on the latest modification to article 69, which refers to the ownership of TV rights." These clubs are also hoping to have a representative participate in CONMEBOL's Exec Committee's discussion of the reform to the statutes (DPA, 1/11). REUTERS' Larramendi & Castaldi reported the clubs are currently set to receive an increase of 40% of revenue from the rights to the Libertadores Cup that starts next month, while CONMEBOL should see an increase above 250% following the signing of its TV contract with Fox Sports. Uruguayan club Peñarol President Juan Pedro Damiani said, "This is not against anyone, it is simply in favor of more involvement in the television contracts." He added that "more transparency was needed, as broadcast rights contracts were now kept secret from clubs" (REUTERS, 1/11).
