Substance was commissioned by Supporters Direct Europe to research and write a position paper on the importance of supporter ownership for governance in European football and how it can support EU policy areas. The Heart of the Game is a position paper for Supporters Direct Europe which Substance researched and co-authored.
It outlines key areas where supporter ownership can contribute to European Union policy and European values.
The Heart of the Game was launched at the European Parliament in November 2012 with representatives from the European Commission, MEPs, UEFA and 15 supporters organisations and clubs. This work follows four briefing papers published for Supporters Direct in 2011 in the UK.