Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance in European Professional Soccer Including Case Studies of Manchester United and Inter Milan

Abstract

The economic, social and environmental challenges faced by soccer clubs necessitate an appropriate management structure to address control issues in European professional soccer. This thesis aims to analyze and evaluate the current state of corporate socialresponsibility and corporate governance at Manchester United and Inter Milan soccer clubs, identify their strengths and weaknesses in these areas, and proposerecommendations for improvement. The method employed involves a comparative analysis of governance structures in major European leagues, examining association specific and club-specific rules, as well as the regulatory impact of FIFA and UEFA onnational associations and clubs. Secondary data from relevant reports, articles, and official documents related to Manchester United and Inter Milan are analyzed using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including content analysis, casestudy analysis, and comparative analysis. The thesis summarizes the formative aspects of national sub-studies to evaluate their effectiveness and presents the UEFA club licensing process, which attempts to correct identified deficiencies in European professional soccer. This thesis finds that football-specific instruments, as well as business sectortools like specially created departments, accounting and reporting requirements, supervisory bodies, and a contract system adapted to the incentives of club management, can be used to establish effective corporate social responsibility and corporategovernance. The academic contribution of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive analysis of how corporate social responsibility and corporate governance are integrated into professional soccer, using the specific cases of Manchester United and Inter Milan asexamples. The findings of the thesis suggest that effective corporate social responsibilityand corporate governance can be established through a combination of football-specific instruments, business sector tools, and mechanisms that align club managementincentives with stakeholder interests. This has relevance for the soccer industry and policymakers who aim to promote sustainability, transparency, and accountability in professional soccer clubs.