Uefa and Europe's elite clubs reach agreement to reduce the number of international friendlies ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed however that the clubs' boycott on talks with Fifa still stands. Rummenigge said: "The agreement with Uefa is a major breakthrough for European club football. With this agreement, Uefa clearly recognises the importance of clubs and the significant contribution they make to the success of national team football. The negotiations have not always proved easy, but were always conducted in a fair and respectful manner. I sincerely thank Uefa, in particular Uefa president Michel Platini, on behalf of all European clubs and look forward to our continued co-operation. This is once more a proof that in the European football family solutions can be found in a co-operative and fair way. He added: "While an agreement has been reached with Uefa, the situation remains unsatisfactory in relation to Fifa. Unfortunately, discussions with the Fifa president have failed to lead to a satisfactory outcome which takes account of the clubs' demands. The agreement on the proposals of the international calendar would see the unpopular friendly date in August ditched. An ECA statement added that in future the clubs will have a 'referral right', meaning they have to give their consent to all decisions affecting European club football. The clubs have however been unable to persuade Uefa to back them in their opposition to the timing of the African Nations Cup in January and February. The agreement merely states that the tournament "shall start as soon as possible in January."