Bohemians chief operating officer Daniel Lambert has described the launch of a new body representing small and medium-sized European clubs as a 'massive day for football.'
The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has been established because of the belief that the European Clubs Association (ECA) is dominated by the interest of big sides who qualify for UEFA competitions regularly.
Bohs were invited to the launch in Belgium, but organisers plan to open the organisation up to all League of Ireland sides in due course.
Lambert feels that a body with the UEC's philosophy will be more beneficial to countries like Ireland.
UEFA and the ECA have entered into partnerships around competitions with the latter organisation styling itself as the 'sole recognised body recognising the interests of club football at European level.'
The ECA is headed up by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chair and CEO of PSG.
However, the UEC argue they will offer greater representations to clubs lower down the various leagues.
"This is genuinely a massive day for football," said Lambert.
"The impact on Irish club football with changes to UEFA competitions is never even considered. A democratic union for all clubs would be huge for our league."
Former Ireland midfielder Gareth Farrelly has been prominently involved in the establishment of the organisation.
Forty clubs from 25 countries were represented at today's event in Brussels with Bohemians the only Irish team involved although there is a plan for expansion.
Dundalk are listed as ordinary members of the ECA, while Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Cork City are described as associated members.
The UEC have laid out a list of core objectives centred around 'an open and balanced football ecosystem including fairer revenue distribution.'
They are targeting improved access to all European competitions.
Six La Liga clubs, five English outfits and four German sides were present at the event.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parrish was amongst the speakers at the event.
Representatives of Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford, Watford, Sevilla, Valencia and Werder Bremen were also present.
Significantly, La Liga president Javier Tebas addressed the conference, with the league believed to be central to the project getting off the ground.
Tebas has been a vocal critic of the European Super League plans, and is also not a fan of El-Khelaifi, arguing that changes to UEFA competitions are designed to benefit elite clubs.