UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.200914:31Page1 No 5885 – FévrierMay 2009 2007 Including 5.09 Hamburg workshop in Grassroots members Committee Executive 7 newUEFA principles 11 guiding in Copenhagen Congress 33rd Ordinary UEFA Hamburg workshop in Grassroots members Committee Executive 7 newUEFA principles 11 guiding in Copenhagen Congress 33rd Ordinary UEFA 09 07 04 03 09 07 04 03 UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.2009 14:31 Page 2

Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president Shared values A congress is certainly not as glamorous as a final or an exciting match in one of the UEFA competitions, but it is nevertheless an important event in the life of our organisation. Not only does it give representatives of all our member associations an opportunity to air their views on the current issues in European football and exchange opinions and experiences. More importantly, it strengthens the ties that bind our organisation. As the governing body of a team sport, we are ideally placed to understand the importance of cohesion within a team. We also know that the attention paid to the regular, first-choice players must not cause the substitutes to be neglected, because it is the atmosphere and harmony within the team as a whole which is often one of the keys to its success. In the same way, after elections, we are right to congratulate those who are elected, but it is also important not to forget those who missed out and those who, for whatever reason, did not stand for election. IN THIS ISSUE This is why UEFA has a system of committees and panels, so that everyone can make their voice heard within European football, and why we also invite all the 33rd Ordinary UEFA Congress members of the European football family – the associations, leagues, clubs and in Copenhagen 03 players – to join the dialogue. 11 guiding principles 04 UEFA is not just its president and Executive Committee, even if it is they you UEFA and FIFA Executive must take the decisions at the end of the day. Committee elections 07 UEFA is a large family whose policy is “football first”, one of the 11 values Under-17 final round in Germany 08 which I presented to the congress and which received the unanimous support of all Grassroots workshop delegates. in Hamburg 09 This unanimity on the key principles that should guide our work is quite The history of the UEFA Cup 10 clearly a solid foundation from which to take up, together, the challenges that await UEFA Executive Committee us in the months ahead. For this reason, the UEFA Congress in Copenhagen really meeting in Copenhagen 12 was an important event for our organisation. News from member associations 16

COVER The UEFA Champions League UEFA President is reaching its climax, with the final in Rome on 27 May. Ariel Ibagaza of Villarreal shields the ball from Arsenal’s Alexandre Song in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Photo: Getty Images

02 uefadirect 5.09 UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.2009 14:31 Page 3 Ordinary UEFA Congress in Copenhagen NewNew facesfaces onon thethe ExecutiveExecutive CommitteeCommittee UEFA-pjwoods.ch

THE 33RD ORDINARY UEFA CONGRESS TOOK PLACE AT THE BELLA CENTER IN a sign of openness and a fantastic challenge.” COPENHAGEN ON 25 MARCH UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE UEFA PRESIDENT, ■ Financial fair play: “We MICHEL PLATINI, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FIFA PRESIDENT, JOSEPH S. BLATTER, have decided to create a club financial control panel, which will begin its REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OTHER FOOTBALL CONFEDERATIONS, UEFA HONORARY activities later this year. And this is just MEMBERS, THE DELEGATES OF UEFA’S MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS AND GUESTS. the first step, since we will be studying, with you and your clubs, stricter rules After a minute’s silence in main promises, thanks to you and to aimed at guaranteeing the integrity of memory of the members of the foot- the Executive Committee… Such a our competitions.” ball family who had passed away balance sheet particularly enables us to ■ Transfer of minors: since the last UEFA Congress in Zagreb, see what has not yet been accom- “It is for moral and ethical reasons the UEFA president opened the pro- plished and to realise that we still face that we must succeed in persuading ceedings by presenting a review of many challenges!”, he said. the political institutions to allow us to the first two years of his presidency, prohibit the international transfer of mentioning the many achievements, Four priorities under-18s.” from the resumption of dialogue with The UEFA president then ■ Betting: “Illegal betting FIFA to closer relations with the Euro- singled out the four challenges that he can kill our sport. If results are fixed in pean Union institutions, as well as considered priorities for the months advance, football has no further rea- the restructuring of the UEFA club ahead. son to exist. This is why, as we wait for competitions and the expansion of the ■ EURO 2012: “It is a deci- the public authorities to fully grasp the European Football Championship sion that we must and want to imple- situation and deal with it properly – final round. ment … because this European because these, we should remember, “This balance sheet shows, I Championship final round is a message are criminal activities – the UEFA Execu- hope, that I have managed to keep my of hope, an investment in the future, tive Committee has decided to set

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The general secretary, Opening adresses David Taylor, presented a positive Carina Christensen, Denmark’s financial outlook minister of culture, welcomed the for the years ahead. participants on behalf of the Danish government. She announced that

2009 was the Year UEFA-pjwoods.ch of Sport in Den- mark and that the UEFA Congress up a fraud prevention and detection received the unanimous support of the was one of the system. member associations. key events taking “One thing is certain … UEFA The congress then approved place there during will provide you with an effective tool. the reports of the UEFA president, the year. She also It will then be up to you to persuade Executive Committee and administra- stressed the impor- your public authorities to tackle the tion for 2007/08, a year that stood tance of football in Danish society problem head-on because we need out for the resounding success of and said that although the sports to cooperate with the courts and the EURO 2008. movement most often knew what police if we are to eradicate this was best for it, there were never- problem for good.” Sound financial situation theless also issues that it could not The president closed his That success certainly con- solve by itself, for example doping address by listing 11 principles that tributed to the satisfactory financial and match-fixing. Her words were echoed by the could “help us to reaffirm our values situation that Marios N. Lefkaritis, FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter, who in these troubled times” and which UEFA vice-president and chairman of began his address by stressing the should “represent a useful basis for the Finance Committee, was able to importance of the our future discussions with the politi- present. Although the general eco- autonomy of sport cal, economic, social and sporting nomic context is no cause for celebra- and the threats worlds,” (see below). These principles tion, on the whole the financial fore- posed to it by interference from different direc- tions: “What The 11 gui would happen to sport if, all over 1 ● Football first so that the Executive Committee can the world, supranational organisa- In everything that we do, take the right decisions. And we will tions were to interfere in it directly? football must always be the first and aim for closer relations with football Leave sport, leave football alone,” most important element that we take fans, without whom there would be he said, adding that there were, how- into consideration. Football is a game no professional game. ever, “areas where sport needed the before being a product, a sport before political authorities,” citing corrup- ● tion, doping and financial fair play being a market, a show before being 4 Good governance as examples. a business. and autonomy Concluding his address, the FIFA UEFA and its member asso- president called for solidarity: “The 2 ● Pyramid structure ciations are committed to good economic crisis is affecting everyone. and subsidiarity governance. Good governance means The second wave will affect all of us, At international and European openness, democracy, transparency and solidarity is called for (…) Foot- level, the autonomy of sport is reflected and responsibility. In this spirit, UEFA ball is a means of integrating people by the pyramid structure of football. defends the autonomy of sports struc- and bringing them closer together FIFA, UEFA and the national associations tures, so that football bodies – with (…) We can make the world a better work hand in hand, while respecting national associations in the lead – are place, with your help.” Allen Hansen, president of the the principle of subsidiarity. This allows the ultimate decision-makers in matters Danish Football Association, high- us to defend the interests of football in concerning football, with no undue lighted the impor- the best possible way. interference from governments. tance of football in his country, 3 ● Unity and leadership 5 ● Grassroots football where, with 1,600 UEFA does not act by dictat. and solidarity clubs and 300,000 We will continue to show strong Football is based on the grass players, including leadership but operate in a spirit of roots, played everywhere by men and 61,000 women, it consensus. In addition to the national women, boys and girls. The top pro- was the most pop- ular sport by far. associations, we will involve all stake- fessional level is just the tip of the He also mentioned that the Danish FA holders (leagues, clubs, players) in the iceberg. UEFA will continue with and had been a founding member of decision-making process in European even strengthen solidarity, both to UEFA and that its first president, Ebbe football, through the Professional protect the future of football and to Schwartz (1954–62), had been a Dane. Football Strategy Council in particular, deliver the wider benefits that our

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The president, Michel Platini, presented UEFA’s guiding principles. UEFA-pjwoods.ch

cast (strategic financial outlook) for the period from 2008/09 to 2013/14, as presented by the UEFA general sec- retary, David Taylor, remains positive. Under the financial part of the agenda, the 2007/08 accounts and 2009/10 budget were approved. Danny Jordaan updated the congress on preparations for the FIFA World Cup Brief reports on the activities in South Africa. of the UEFA standing committees UEFA-pjwoods.ch during the period under review were presented, in video form. programme. Each national association Since HatTrick II got under way, 47 Information was also pro- can apply for EUR 2.5 million for investment projects have been approved vided about the HatTrick programme, investment projects and a maximum for a total amount of EUR 50 million. which moved into its second cycle of EUR 1.3 million per year by way The most awaited moment of (2008–12) last year. of solidarity payments. In addition, the afternoon was, of course, the elec- HatTrick II has three com- EUR 25 million is reserved for education, tions for the UEFA Executive Committee. ponents: an investment programme, which includes KISS, the Knowledge These were followed by the nomination solidarity payments and an education and Information Sharing Scenario. of four honorary members.

ding principles

sport brings to society as a whole. running of our competitions, in order the game, integrity, diversity, dignity, And it is also because the strength of to preserve the spirit of our game. players’ health, rules, the referee, oppo- football lies in its grass roots that we nents and supporters. Our message is have to preserve the local, regional 8 ● Financial fair play and clear: zero tolerance of racism, violence and national identities of our game, regularity of competitions and doping. Football unites people and always in accordance with the law. UEFA supports fair play both transcends differences. The colour of on and off the pitch. Financial fair the skin is invisible under the jersey and 6 ● Youth protection play means that clubs operate trans- for UEFA this will always be so. Racism and education parently and responsibly, to protect and any other forms of discrimination As governing body of both sporting competition and the will never be tolerated. UEFA will not European football, UEFA has both a clubs themselves. Financial fair play tolerate violence either on the pitch or sporting and a moral responsibility. means clubs not getting into a spiral in the stands. Football must set an The international transfer of minors of debt to compete with their rivals example. entails many risks. Let’s not forget but rather competing with their that players under the age of 18 are own means, i.e. the resources they 11 ● European sports model and children or adolescents. We want to generate. specificity of sport protect the future of children in foot- UEFA is a European body and ball and stop them being uprooted 9 ● National teams and clubs we remain totally committed to the to foreign countries when they are National team and club European model of sport, a model char- much too young. football are vital and complementary acterised by promotion and relegation, elements of football. UEFA will remain the solidarity principle, as well as open 7 ● Sporting integrity and betting committed to ensuring that this bal- competitions and opportunity for all. Betting is a source of funding ance is maintained and even strength- This is what sport – and especially foot- but also a risk for football, especially ened, as the development of our ball – is all about. We have to protect to the integrity of competitions. It is game at national, European and inter- this model because sport is not a busi- only right that football obtains its fair national level depends on it. ness like any other and we cannot allow share of income from betting. However, it to be treated as such. We will continue our primary focus must continue to 10 ● Respect to defend the specificity of sport and be a total commitment to protecting Respect is a key principle are convinced that our arguments will sporting integrity and the proper of football. It implies respect for prevail for the good of football.

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Three UEFA honorary members attended the congress: (from left) Jean Fournet-Fayard, Gerhard Aigner and . UEFA-pjwoods.ch

Giangiorgio Spiess (Switzerland) Four new honorary members was elected as a member of the UEFA On the recommendation of the Executive Committee, as presented Executive Committee in 1994 and served by the UEFA president, the UEFA Congress conferred the title of honorary three terms, up to 2007. He was then a member on four former members of the UEFA Executive Committee. co-opted member until last June. Per Omdal (Norway) was elected tance Bureau], which comprised ten “My to the Executive Committee in 1992 national football associations that fondest memo- and held the office of vice-president from emerged from the break-up of the USSR, ries of my time 1996 to 2007. He did not stand for plus Albania. The situation was very on the Executive re-election this year. He also served as a difficult because we had to start from Committee are, member of the FIFA Executive Committee scratch in every area, such as grassroots without any from 1992 to 2002. football, TV contracts and transfers. doubt, of seeing Our joints efforts were fruitful, which children having a UEFA-pjwoods.ch was really rewarding.” lovely time playing football at the mini- pitch inaugurations I attended.” Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia) was elected to the UEFA Executive Com- Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder mittee in 1994 and was also on the FIFA (Germany) joined the UEFA Executive Executive Committee, which he served Committee in 2000 and finished his as a vice-president from 1980 to 1996, second term this year. He served as a vice- then as a member from 1996 to 1998 president from 2007. He has also served UEFA-pjwoods.ch and from 2000 to 2009. At the UEFA two separate terms on the FIFA Executive “My best memories,” he said, Congress in Copenhagen, he stood down Committee, from 1992 to 1998 and “are from the ten years when I led the from both committees. from 2002 to 2006. work of the EEAB [East European Assis- “The right to represent Russia for 15 years on the Executive Com- IN BRIEF mittee,” he said, “has been a great honour. During that time, I had the good ■ All 53 UEFA member associations fortune to work under the presidency were represented at the 33rd Ordinary of some outstanding personalities: UEFA Congress. , Lennart Johansson ■ In addition to Viacheslav and Michel Platini. Koloskov, Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder and Per Omdal, one other member of the “I believe that UEFA’s decision Executive Committee did not stand for to hold a UEFA Champions League final

re-election: Franco Carraro (Italy), who and a UEFA UEFA-pjwoods.ch was elected in 2004. Cup final in “The years I spent on the Execu- ■ For the first time, for the sake was a tive Committee were a very positive expe- of transparency, the ballot papers were sign of its trust rience: we shared our views in open counted in the congress hall in view of in the Russian discussions. Worthy of mention is the fact the cameras, which showed the scruti- Football Union. that following the election of Michel neers at work on the giant screen. And I hope Platini as UEFA president, relations with ■ Danny Jordaan, CEO of the that Russia FIFA improved and we are now on the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, lived up to the same wavelength.” made a presentation on how prepara- expectations. tions in South Africa were progressing. “Over It was a timely presentation, given ■ Up to the congress in Copen- the years, I have UEFA-pjwoods.ch that the qualifiers resumed a couple hagen, there were 15 UEFA honorary of days later. worked on different committees, in members, including two honorary presi- close cooperation with UEFA directors, ■ The FIFA Ordinary Congress will dents, Jacques Georges † and Lennart take place in Nassau in the Bahamas and I would like to express my deep Johansson, together with Gerhard on 2/3 June. On 1 June, UEFA member gratitude to them for the profession- Aigner, Hans Bangerter, Sandor Barcs, associations will hold a preparatory alism and loyalty that I have always Egidius Braun, Des Casey, Jos. Coler †, meeting. enjoyed. José Crahay †, Jean Fournet-Fayard, ■ Tel Aviv will be the venue for “My term of office as a UEFA †, Sir Bert Millichip †, the 34th Ordinary UEFA Congress on Executive Committee member has ex- Sir †, Nikolay Ryashentsev † 25 March 2010. pired, but my life in football will go on.” and Lucien Schmidlin †.

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Seven new faces on the UEFA-pjwoods.ch Executive Committee Marios Lefkaritis As a result of the four members retiring, the death of Mathieu Sprengers and the increase in membership from 14 to 16, the UEFA Executive Committee was set for a significant injection of new blood.

UEFA-pjwoods.ch There were 12 candidates for the 9 seats available and it took only one ballot for eight of them to achieve an absolute Moeller/Bongarts/Getty Images majority (27 votes or more): Theo Zwanziger Amicale des Marios Lefkaritis (Cyprus, standing for re-election), anciens and Order 50 votes Theo Zwanziger (Germany), 47 votes of Merit Giancarlo Abete (Italy), 45 votes Among the guests at the Geoffrey Thompson (England, standing for re-election), congress in Copenhagen were many 43 votes

members of the Amicale des anciens Allan Hansen (Denmark), 40 votes, Sportsfile (circle of former UEFA committee Frantisek Laurinec (Slovakia), 36 votes Giancarlo Abete members). Members have to have (Netherlands), 34 votes served on UEFA committees for at Abraham Luzon (Israel), 28 votes least 12 years and no longer be in In the second ballot, requiring only a simple majority, active service. Liutauras Varanavicius (Lithuania) received 22 votes, ahead of the three other candidates, Nodar Akhalkatsi (), In Copenhagen, seven com- Peter Rees (Wales) and Tomás Gea (Andorra). mittee members were honoured for UEFA-pjwoods.ch The first eight are elected for four-year terms and the Geoffrey Thompson having achieved 12 years of service ninth for two years. on UEFA committees: ■ Jim Boyce (Northern Ireland), David Collins (Wales), Jacques Liénard (), Michal Listkiewicz (Poland), Vlatko Markovic (Croatia), Volker Roth

(Germany) and Rudolf Zavrl (Slovenia). UEFA-pjwoods.ch On the awards side, the UEFA Allan Hansen Order of Merit was conferred on: ■ Leszek Rylski (Poland) and Victor Ponedelnik (Russia) – Order of Merit in ruby

■ Nodar Akhalkatsi Sr (Georgia, UEFA-pjwoods.ch

posthumously), Eddie Barry (Northern Sportsfile Shortly after the congress, the new UEFA Executive Ireland), Eduard Malofeev (Belarus), Frantisek Laurinec Committee held a brief constitutive meeting, the outcome Ante Pavlovic (Croatia) and Sir Bobby of which was as follows: Robson (England) – Order of Merit President: Michel Platini; first vice-president: Senes Erzik; in emerald. second vice-president: Geoffrey Thompson; third vice- president: Angel María Villar Llona; fourth vice-president: Marios N. Lefkaritis; fifth vice-president: Joseph Mifsud.

Members: Giancarlo Abete, Allan Hansen, Frantisek Laurinec, UEFA-pjwoods.ch Abraham Luzon, Gilberto Madaíl, Mircea Sandu, Grigoriy Michael van Praag Surkis, Liutauras Varanavicius, Michael van Praag and Theo Zwanziger. FIFA Executive Committee The UEFA Congress delegates also had to elect four Eu- ropean members of the FIFA Executive Committee. Three of IFA the outgoing members were standing for re-election: Abraham Luzon Michel D’Hooghe (Belgium), Senes Erzik (Turkey) and Marios N. Lefkaritis (Cyprus). Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia) had decided not to stand for re-election and his compatriot Vitaly Mutko was the only UEFA-pjwoods.ch other candidate.

Michel Platini presents an Order of Merit The congress therefore elected the four candidates by

in ruby to Leszek Rylski, member of acclamation, each for four-year terms. Sportsfile the UEFA Executive Committee from 1956 Liutauras Varanavicius to 1964 and from 1966 to 1968. 07 UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.2009 14:31 Page 8

Everything is set THE GROUPS for a fantastic The draw, which took place football festival. in Leipzig on 3 April, produced the following groups: Group A: Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland; Group B: Germany,Turkey, England, Netherlands. Getty Images Images Streubel/Bongarts/Getty

Following the draw, a workshop European was held to inform the participating teams about the organisational details of the final tournament. Visits to the team hotels, training grounds and stadiums Under-17 were also on the agenda.

Football without boundaries Championship final Under the motto “Fussball kennt keine Grenzen” (football knows no boundaries), the schools programme round in Germany has already begun in the three states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Test of strength for top Around 600 schools have requested the free project kit, which includes a European talent wide range of activities based on the THE 15 MATCHES OF THE EUROPEAN UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL ROUND themes of football, fair play and toler- WILL BE HELD IN 12 STADIUMS IN SAXONY, SAXONY-ANHALT AND THURINGIA ance. The DFB has prepared a special offer for the schools by scheduling a total FROM 6 TO 18 MAY. of seven matches to take place in the Following the conclusion of the Fantastic football festival morning so that as many classes as pos- qualifying matches in March, the schedule The draw ceremony at the sible can attend a European Champion- of matches to be played in the host cities city hall included a performance by the ship match on a school outing. of Dessau-Rosslau, Erfurt, Gera, Gotha, Gewandhaus Kinderchor, one of Ger- “We also want to ensure that Grimma, Jena, Magdeburg, Markranstädt, many’s most famous and successful the many children and young spectators Meuselwitz, Sandersdorf, Taucha and children’s choirs. Senior UEFA and DFB who attend this event see for them- Torgau was announced in the city hall in officials were among the 150 guests of selves how football can have an impact Leipzig on 3 April, exactly 33 days before honour. that goes far beyond sport itself, how the opening match on 6 May. “We are delighted to be it can bring together people from dif- Leaving organisational matters to able to host this important interna- ferent social groups, how it stands for one side, the DFB’s sports director, Matthias tional youth tournament. Our experi- peaceful coexistence and how it helps Sammer, emphasised the sporting aspects ence of organising major sports events to promote values such as respect, fair of the tournament: “When we take part will certainly help us to provide the play and consideration of others,” said in a final round which we are organising teams and officials from the partici- the DFB president. ourselves, we are fully focused on winning pating associations with the best pos- As far as the extensive pre- the European Championship title. This is sible conditions in the 12 host cities, paratory work was concerned, Theo an ideal opportunity for our youngsters ensuring a fantastic football festival,” Zwanziger also mentioned the com- to measure themselves against the best said the president of the DFB, Theo mitment of the numerous volunteers: teams in Europe.” Zwanziger. “Without the support of these people, such a tournament could not be held. I would like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you to all those

Getty Images involved in the organisation of this event and showing such extraordinary commitment for their enthusiasm and their important contribution.” At the start of May, the organ- isers from UEFA and the DFB will begin moving into their accommodation in Children from the two tournament centres, Leipzig schools in the area are using and Jena. The eight participating national the finals as associations will also be based in these an opportunity to broaden two cities, ready to appear on the Euro- their horizons. pean youth football stage. Stephan Eiermann

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Pitchside … and observations… classroom presentations.

example, revealed the Dutch plan to 8th UEFA promote football for the 45+ age group. Jeff Davis of the English FA led a review of how disability football is being developed in various countries. Grassroots Workshop Jim Fleeting of Scotland discussed funding issues – including a fascinating insight into how the Scottish authorities are even supporting grassroots projects. in Hamburg The relationships between professional Children’s football clubs and the grassroots game were reviewed by Jörn Spuida, Roger Hasen- as central pillar bein and Roberto Samaden of HSV, St. Pauli and FC Internazionale Milano IF ONE WORD HAD TO BE CHOSEN TO SUMMARISE THE 8TH UEFA GRASSROOTS respectively. There was even time for WORKSHOP WHICH WAS HELD FROM 16 TO 20 MARCH IN HAMBURG, IT WOULD former German internationals Uwe SURELY BE ENERGY – WITH A CAPITAL E. FROM THE MOMENT THE BALL WAS SET Seeler and Hansi Müller to discuss their ROLLING BY GERHARD MAYER-VORFELDER, UEFA VICE-PRESIDENT, THEO experiences as child players and their current roles as ambassadors within the ZWANZIGER, PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND KARIN grassroots game. Andy Roxburgh VON WELCK, SPORTS SENATOR FOR THE CITY OF HAMBURG, THE EVENT, INVOLVING signed off by reviewing the astonishing 130 PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL 53 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS, TOOK OFF LIKE A progress made since UEFA first started ROLLER COASTER, RUNNING AT BREATHTAKING SPEED, UPLIFTING ENOUGH TO DEFY to develop a grassroots programme THE LAWS OF GRAVITY. THE SHEER IMPETUS REFLECTED THE FAST-GROWING 14 years ago, including the Grassroots ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL, NOT ONLY Charter, which already has 37 signato- ries. But that’s another story. The sheer TO THE SPORT ITSELF, BUT ALSO TO THE SOCIETY IT LIVES IN. energy of the event in Hamburg graphi- In terms of enthusiasm, the Focus on enjoyment cally illustrated the momentum of the hosts led by example – with the national The fact that the practical grassroots game and its increasing rele- and regional associations contributing, sessions focused on such a young age vance in a cosmopolitan Europe. together with the two major clubs in group was no accident. The roller- the city of Hamburg. The Grand Elysée coaster event pointed its nose in every hotel was the focal point for presenta- conceivable direction but it turned tions and discussions, but Hamburger around a central pillar: children’s foot- SV’s stadium was the venue for practical ball. UEFA’s technical director, Andy sessions on the opening afternoon, Roxburgh, set the scene by examining with groups of Under-12s providing all aspects of ‘child’s play’ on the best-practice examples of age-appropri- opening morning, emphasising the ate training sessions. The venue on the need to focus on enjoyment of the following day was the St. Pauli club, game in age brackets where football whose special personality was illustrated should be ‘serious fun’ with, in this by the motto at the entrance to the case, ‘serious’ being the opposite to stadium: Non Established Since 1910. frivolous. The sessions dovetailed perfectly. The This was underlined when Children’s boys and girls at St. Pauli might not have Willi Hink described the development football been able to match the HSV boys for plan launched in Germany in 2007 and in the spotlight. technical excellence but they certainly when former international star Steffi matched them in terms of enjoyment. Jones, who now presides the organis- The first session featured Under-10 girls ing committee for the 2011 FIFA from the city’s migrant communities, Women’s World Cup, explained how whose parents needed to be persuaded the big event will be used as a social to allow their daughters to take part. lever to persuade even more girls to This was not about talent development play football. – it was about using football as an But the workshop covered

instrument for social integration. the whole spectrum. Piet Hubers, for Photos: Sportsfile

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Leeds United The first beat Juventus UEFA Cup final to win was an all-English the final showdown, Inter-Cities won by Tottenham Fairs Cup. Hotspur. PA Archives/PAPA Photos Archives/PAPA Photos Origins of

theHans UEFA Bangerter Cup reminisces

THE UEFA CUP IS IN ITS FINAL SEASON BEFORE IT IS RENAMED THE UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE AND GIVEN A NEW FORMAT, INCLUDING A PHASE OF 12 GROUPS OF FOUR, WITH ALL MEDIA RIGHTS MARKETED CENTRALLY.

Although significant, the secretariat hosted by Ernst Thommen changes – which are designed to give who, at that time, was also a new impetus to the competition – director of the Swiss sports are less radical than those that took betting company, Sport Toto, place at the beginning of the 1970s, in Basle. The competition was when the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was very successful but the time abolished and replaced with the came when the UEFA Execu- UEFA Cup. tive Committee thought that Swiss Hans Bangerter, UEFA such a major competition general secretary from 1960 to 1988, should be governed and organ- is probably the only surviving, primary ised by UEFA itself, which could witness of those changes. He recalls: ensure that standard rules were followed and could deal with “The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which was refereeing and disciplinary matters.” created in 1955, was the most impor- tant international club competition UEFA Congress decision apart from the UEFA competitions, At that time, the Inter-Cities i.e. the European Champion Clubs’ Fairs Cup was totally separate from Cup and the European Cup Winners’ the UEFA competitions: “They Cup. It had an organising committee appointed their own referees, took composed of eminent people such as Ernst Thommen, the competition’s founding chairman, who at the time was president of the Swiss Football Association, FIFA vice-president and chairman of the World Cup organising committee. He was joined by Sir Stanley Rous, the very powerful secre- tary of the English FA, UEFA vice-pres- ident and member of the World Cup organising committee, Italy’s and six or seven representa- tives of major clubs from cities in which important trade fairs were held. , With such people at the captain of Juventus, helm, the competition was clearly lifts the trophy. The Italian club won well organised, with a permanent the UEFA Cup three times, as did Internazionale and Liverpool. 10 uefadirect 5.09 UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.2009 14:32 Page 11

Hans Bangerter at the Talking to inauguration of the UEFA South Africa’s offices in Berne in 1976, with Danny Artemio Franchi, then UEFA Jordaan president (left) and Carl at the Zimmermann, longstanding congress in member, then chairman of Copenhagen the UEFA Youth Committee. Archives-UEFA UEFA-pjwoods.ch

disciplinary measures and managed number of clubs and even produced a Wolverhampton Wanderers and everything themselves… There was new trophy.” The old trophy was kept Tottenham Hotspur contested the first no coordination with our competitions. by FC , since it was decided UEFA Cup final in 1972. That final will We therefore thought that this could that it should be presented to the have been followed by 37 subsequent not last.” The 1966 Ordinary UEFA winner of a match between the first editions by the time this year’s final has Congress in agreed, albeit only winners, Barcelona, and the last, Leeds been staged in Istanbul. In the meantime, by a narrow margin (11-10), and the United. The match, played in Barcelona the UEFA Cup absorbed the Cup Winners’ 1968 Congress in Rome ratified the on 22 September 1971, was won 2-1 Cup in 1999, but that is another story decision. However, it took a while for by the home side. that will be told in a future article. the baton to be handed over. “Finally, with the support of Sir Stanley Rous, who had by now been elected FIFA A long career in the president and also chaired the Inter- Cities Fairs Cup Committee, we came service of football to an agreement. And I remember the last meeting of the Fairs Cup Commit- “I was lucky enough to make a living out of my hobby!” At nearly tee, which was held in Barcelona. 85 years of age, Hans Bangerter remains as enthusiastic about football UEFA had been invited to send a rep- as he was in his youth. “Since there were no clubs where I lived when I resentative to this final meeting and was a boy, I founded one for schoolboys!” On finishing his studies, Hans the Executive Committee asked me to Bangerter joined the administration of the Swiss federal gymnastics and go. I received a polite but rather frosty sports school in Macolin. His knowledge of languages meant that he was welcome. Sir Stanley Rous, who had given the task of welcoming foreign visitors and many other important responsibilities, it was this that brought him into contact with had little problem in handing over the football’s great leaders of the time, Sir Stanley task of chairing the committee, but Rous, Ottorino Barassi and P.J. Bauwens, who some of the other members were not visited Macolin. “It was they who invited me exactly thrilled to be losing a position to work at FIFA, and so, in 1953, I became FIFA that, when all is said and done, was deputy general secretary in Zurich and was quite a nice one to have. We kept involved in organising the 1954 World Cup in one or two of them in our committees Switzerland, among other things. I stayed at to iron out some of the difficulties FIFA for seven years. In 1959, UEFA decided they and, in the end, everything went needed a permanent secretariat. They had smoothly.”

offices in at the headquarters of the French A-pjwoods.ch

Football Federation and Pierre Delaunay was UEF The trophy for Barcelona splitting his time between the FFF and UEFA, where he was general The 13th and final edition secretary at the time. He had to choose between the two institutions of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was there- fore held in 1970/71, before the and opted for the FFF. I was therefore offered the post, which I accepted, competition was replaced with a but I requested that the secretariat be based in Switzerland.” brand new one, the UEFA Cup. “We Hans Bangerter retired in 1988 and was made an honorary member changed its name, increased the of UEFA at the 1992 Congress. He is also an honorary member of the Swiss Football Association and has been awarded the FIFA Order of Merit. He continues to follow football closely: “The changes have been enormous. Clearly, commercialisation is necessary because our lives have changed completely, but this commercialisation must not become more important than the sport itself. I have always said that the sport must always take priority.” A view that tallies perfectly with the first of the 11 principles set out by Michel Platini at the recent UEFA Congress in Copenhagen: football first. With regard to the current UEFA president, the former general secretary says he is “pleased that former players are assuming management responsibilities because they have lived and breathed foot- ball, they know all its ins and outs, all the side issues. Football needs people who know fully the game, not leaders who want at first to use it to make a name for themselves.” Empics Sport/PA Photos

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The Executive It was Franco Committee in Carraro’s Copenhagen. last Executive Committee meeting. UEFA-pjwoods.ch UEFA-pjwoods.ch

more, the solidarity payments made to clubs eliminated in the UEFA Cham- Meetings and pions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds would be increased by around 30%. The revenue distribution sys- tem was approved, along with the other activities regulations of the Champions League, Integrity of competitions Europa League and Super Cup for top of the agenda the 2009/10 season. Integrity of competitions THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE’S SECOND MEETING OF THE YEAR, With regard to financial fair HELD IN COPENHAGEN ON 23/24 MARCH, MARKED THE END OF AN ERA FOR play in the UEFA club competitions, an important step was taken with the FOUR OF ITS MEMBERS, FRANCO CARRARO, VIACHESLAV KOLOSKOV, creation of the Club Financial Control GERHARD MAYER-VORFELDER AND PER RAVN OMDAL, WHO ALL LEFT OFFICE. Panel. Composed of independent financial and legal experts to be ap- The UEFA president, Michel solidarity payments to clubs who were pointed by the Executive Committee Platini, opened the meeting by thanking not participating in the competition (a chairman and up to eight mem- them for the time and effort that they from 5 to 6.5%. These funds should bers), this body will be responsible for had given in service of UEFA and sym- be used for training purposes. Further- ensuring, via financial audits, that bolically presented them with a key to the House of European Football, assur- ing them that they would always be Referees and grassroots football welcome there. He also paid tribute to the two co-opted members whose Signing ceremonies in Copenhagen mandates had come to an end, Gian- On the eve of the Ordinary UEFA Congress in Copenhagen, seven na- giorgio Spiess and Friedrich Stickler. tional associations signed the UEFA Referee Convention: the Faroe Islands, Michel Platini then presented an 11-point manifesto, which is meant Northern Ireland, Iceland, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia and . to serve as a plan of action and to The convention now has 20 signatories and another 30 associations which the Executive Committee gave have submitted applications. its full backing (see pages 4/5). Another charter signed in the Danish capital was the UEFA Grassroots Charter. The national associations of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Re- Increased solidarity payments public, Italy and Slovenia have taken the number of signatories to 37. The participants then heard These four associations have been awarded their first of a maximum seven reports from the committee chairmen and took a number of decisions based stars. There are currently 8 associations on five stars, 2 on four, 1 on three, on their proposals. They particularly 3 on two and 23 on one. discussed the regulations of the UEFA club competitions which, as is widely known, are being revamped for next season. In this context, the Executive Committee had invited a representa- tive of the clubs to its meeting for the first time. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Club Asso- ciation (ECA), was therefore able to present the points of view of the 137 clubs affiliated to the ECA. Referring to the distribution of revenue from the UEFA Champions League, he said that the clubs sup- ported the proposal to increase the The Grassroots Charter signatories with UEFA representatives. UEFA-pjwoods.ch

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Manchester United v Porto in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The competition regulations for the 2009/10 season were approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in Copenhagen. News from

On 10 March, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the integrity of online gambling which calls on the member states, Empics Sport/PA Photos betting operators and sports licences have been correctly awarded replace the UEFA Women’s Cup with organisations to cooperate and to clubs and that the clubs have met a new format. The final will be played together take up the challenges posed by the liberalisation of this their obligations under the UEFA Club as a single match on neutral territory sector. Licensing Regulations. in the same week and the same city The basis for the resolution Also with the integrity of as the UEFA Champions League final. is criminal activities associated with competitions in mind, the Executive In addition, the eight best associations gambling and the impact these Committee heard an update on the will be entitled to enter two teams have on the integrity of sports measures it had taken to combat illegal and the competition will begin with events. In the words of the parlia- betting and match-fixing. A fraud a qualifying round played in the form ment, “if a sport is perceived as the detection system had been set up of mini-tournaments. This round will subject of manipulation for the which would not only monitor betting be directly followed by knockout financial gain of players, officials linked to UEFA competitions, but matches from the round of 32 until or third parties rather than played would also gradually increase its scope the final. according to its values, rules and to cover all matches in the top two The Executive Committee was for the enjoyment of its fans, divisions and national cup matches of also informed that the final round of this could result in a loss of public all UEFA member associations. Under the 2008/09 Regions’ Cup would be trust.” the new system, some 27,000 matches played in Croatia from 15 to 22 June. To counter this threat, the will be monitored each year in cooper- resolution calls on EU member ation with betting agencies from all Memorandum of understanding states to “ensure that sports com- over the world, leading to the creation with professional leagues petition organisers, betting opera- of a huge database. The Executive Committee also tors and regulators cooperate on With these measures in mind gave its backing to the signature of a measures to tackle the risks related and in order to bolster UEFA’s discipli- new memorandum of understanding to illegal betting behaviour and nary services, the Executive Committee between UEFA and the Association of match-fixing in sport and explore appointed two new specialist discipli- European Professional Football the establishment of a workable, nary inspectors. Leagues (EPFL). equitable and sustainable regula- With regard to social respon- tory framework to protect the Draw in Warsaw sibility, it noted the conclusions of an integrity of sports.” The Executive Committee analysis of the campaigns linked to Much to the delight of sports associations, the resolution also was informed of the state of progress UEFA EURO 2008 (Score for the Red recommends that member states of the preparatory work for UEFA Cross, fan embassies, EUROSCHOOLS, protect sports competitions from EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. It etc.) and heard recommendations for any unauthorised commercial use was told that the draw to determine UEFA’s future activities in this field. and calls on the European Commis- the qualifying groups would be held ■ In Copenhagen, the Execu- sion “to examine whether it is pos- at the Palace of Culture and Science in tive Committee gave its full backing sible to give competition organisers Warsaw on 7 February 2010. to FIFA’s position on out-of-competition an intellectual property right (some As far as competitions are anti-doping tests and the need for sort of ‘portrait right’) over their concerned, the Executive Committee individual players to announce their competitions.” also approved the regulations of the daily whereabouts. FIFA and UEFA The parliament strongly recom- 2009/10 UEFA Cup and heard a believe that a distinction must be made mends using profits from gambling report on the first European Under-21 between team and individual sports “for the benefit of society, including Futsal Tournament, which had been and ask that footballers be tested rolling funding for (…) professional organised on an experimental basis. within the scope of the team and and amateur sport and culture.” Another set of regulations that within the stadium infrastructure – and The resolution was tabled was approved were for the 2009/10 not, under any circumstances, during by Danish socialist MEP Christel Women’s Champions League, which will their short holiday periods. Schaldemose.

13 UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.2009 14:32 Page 14 Dusan Cucuz

Football (Almami Morereira, left) and basketball (Slavko Vranes) unite against racism at FK Partizan. Vogel/Bongarts/Getty Images for DFB

Belgium’s Kempen (Glenn van Asten, in red) won their mini-tournament in Germany to earn a place in the final round of the UEFA Regions’ Cup. Eight finalists heading to Croatia time in a UEFA Women’s Cup. What In the semi-finals, Sweden’s In the UEFA Regions’ Cup, is more, Zvezda’s journey began in the Umeå did all they could in the return the intermediate round is over first qualifying round and, in their leg to recover the two goals they and we now know which eight ten matches so far, they have won conceded in the first leg in Russia. teams are going through to the nine and lost none, even against They opened the scoring but Zvezda finals, which are being held in the heavyweight opponents such as title- came back to equalise. It was the Zagreb area of Croatia. holders and three-time champions same story when Umeå made it 2-1. The amateur clubs FFC Frankfurt, Brøndby IF and Umeå IK, For Umeå the adventure ended there, of Privolzhie (Russia), finalists four times and winners twice. the only consolation being that no Oltenia (Romania), Bratislava (Slovakia), Savez Gradiska (Bosnia- Herzegovina), Region I (Republic of Ireland), Kempen (Belgium) and Castilla y Leon (Spain) join Zagreb (Croatia) for the final round of the competition. The final draw takes place in Tuheljske Toplice on 23 April.

German-Russian UEFA Women’s Cup final The eighth UEFA Women’s Cup final is a landmark occasion. A Russian team has reached the final of the competition for the first time, where they face German opposition. The achievements of Russia’s Zvezda-2005 – Olympique Lyonnais who are from Perm but, and FCR 2001 Duisburg battle it out without a stadium that in the semi-finals. meets the UEFA criteria, had to play their home quarter and semi-finals some 500km away in Kazan – are all the more

remarkable considering this is their first Flash Press

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Hungary is Spain’s The German hosting the Hernandez Football final round donates a Association of the cheque for takes a stand European EUR 100,000 against racism. Futsal to the ICRC. Championship. Bongarts/Getty Images Sportsfile Getty Images

one else had managed to hold Zvezda Football and social launched at EURO 2008 in support of even to a draw. responsibility the International Committee of the In the final, Zvezda meet Red Cross (ICRC) rehabilitation project other UEFA Women’s Cup debutantes, According to Senes Erzik, a for landmine victims in Afghanistan. FCR 2001 Duisburg. The German UEFA vice-president and chairman of In addition, UEFA is once the Fair Play and Social Responsibility side only entered the competition in again participating in the annual Special Committee, “social responsibility the second qualifying round, but their Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) foot- must be written in UEFA’s DNA”. record over seven matches is just as ball week, which takes place from After the Unite Against impressive with six wins and one draw. 25 April to 3 May this year. A unified Racism conference in It was in the first leg of their semi- match between UEFA staff and Special Warsaw in early March, Olympics players is being held on final in Lyon that Duisburg were held UEFA has continued 27 April in Nyon. to a draw (1-1), but they came back pursuing many activities Many of the member asso- with a 3-1 win at home. in the field of social responsibility, one ciations also have campaigns under The first leg of the final is of which was Earth Hour, organised by way. In Belgium, for example, the in Russia on 16 May. The two teams the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on “En un goal, de la rue à l’école” project then meet in Duisburg on 22 May. 28 March. This consisted in turning off (one goal, from street to school) has This is the last time the final will be all lights as a mark of awareness of been launched in favour of children played on a home and away basis – climate change and the need to preserve in Africa; in Germany, the football next season the competition will have the environment. association showed racism the red a new format, under the new name Also, at the UEFA Champions card in March; the Association of of UEFA Women’s Champions League. League quarter-final between European Professional Football FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais Leagues (EPFL) organised a weekend on 10 March, UEFA presented a against hunger; and clubs are follow- EUR 100,000 cheque to Xavi Hernandez, ing suit, with FK Partizan of Belgrade, captain of the .com users’ Team of for example, bringing footballers European Futsal the Year. Xavi donated the money to and basketball players together to say Championship – the Score for the Red Cross campaign, no to racism. First final round with twelve teams The final round of the 2009/10 European Futsal Cham- pionship takes place in Hungary and, for the first time, there are 12 finalists. Hungary, who qualify automatically as hosts, found out who they would be up against when the qualifying matches were com- pleted in mid-March. Ukraine, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Russia won the quali- fying mini-tournaments and will be joined in Hungary by the best four runners-up, Belarus, Serbia, Azer- baijan and Slovenia. The final draw is being held at the Kölcsey Convention Centre, Debrecen, on 24 September. The 12 teams will be divided into four groups. The final tournament takes Football, a ray of light in a cloud of gloom, as depicted by Dix, a cartoonist at the anti-racism conference in Warsaw. place from 19 to 30 January.

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A lot was said about financing. The head coach of the national A team, Bernd Stange (who was celebrating his birthday on the day of the meeting), gave a short but fundamental speech about how our • PETER KLINGLMÜLLER • football should develop: “We want to play attractive, modern football. But we should understand that we must get to the top New coaching teams floor using the stairs and not the lift.” In March, Austria’s head coach, Karel With more than 100 participants at Brückner, and his assistant, Jan Kocian, the meeting, an important resolution was stepped down in agreement with the adopted to take major steps to promote Austrian Football Association. Brückner is youth football. Youth sector funding is to succeeded by Dietmar Constantini (53) Pictures GEPA be increased and more football academies from the Tyrol. Constantini has previously Austria’s new technical team: (from left) created. Work with fans is also to be im- worked as head coach of Austria Wien, Manfred Zsak, Dietmar Constantini, Heinz Peischl proved, in order to draw more spectators to Wacker Innsbruck and Mainz 05, as well and Franz Wohlfahrt. the stands. Several other decisions are to as having assisted the legendary Ernst Andreas Herzog, Austria’s record-holding be implemented in 2009. The participants Happel at the helm of the national team. ex-international, who has been on the left in good spirits, confident that the Constantini will be assisted by Manfred senior team staff since 2005, is taking over meeting was a positive start to the new Zsak (Under-21 coach, capped 49 times the Under-21s, with football season. ■ for the senior team) and Heinz Peischl (played for Werder Bremen) as his assistant, (previously head coach at FC St. Gallen). Roger Spry from England as fitness coach Germany’s Mike Steverding has been and (UEFA Cup finalist with appointed as the new fitness coach. Austria Salzburg) as goalkeeping coach. ■

AZERBAIJAN BELARUS BFF • KONUL MEHTIEV • • YULIA ZENKOVICH • The president, Gennadiy Nevyglas, presents his report to the meeting. Seeking out young talent Annual general meeting The Association of Football Federations A new football season is about to kick of Azerbaijan (AFFA) organises various off in Belarus. So, on 14 March the Belarus projects to strengthen and increase the Football Federation (BFF) held its annual popularity of youth football throughout general meeting to review the results of the the country and scout for players for its previous season and discuss achievements national youth teams. Championships are and things that could be improved. Several BELGIUM held in the different age categories and important decisions were taken too. PIERRE CORNEZ scouts work in each of the regions, seeking The special guest at the congress was • • out talent. Marios N. Lefkaritis, one of UEFA’s vice- In the capital, Baku, on 16 February, presidents. “I think this visit to Belarus is Association wins fair play award Azerbaijan’s Under-15s coach, Oliver Pelzer, my eighth. I must say that I have seen led the selection of 13 to 15-year-olds for many improvements in all areas. Your federa- In Charleroi on 17 February, the Belgian tion makes excellent use of the funds Football Association (URBSFA) received provided by UEFA for building and reno- a fair play award for its security officer project. The award was presented by Veerle vating mini-pitches, artificial pitches and Van Crombrugge on behalf of the home stadiums.” affairs minister, Guido De Padt. Before the meeting got under way, the The fair play award (or rather, credit) BFF president, Gennadiy Nevyglas, presented is in its third year. With it, the home affairs licences to the clubs that will be playing ministry provides an annual total of in the Vysshaya Liga (top division) of the EUR 100,000 to subsidise social projects national championship. Then the best foot- launched by members of the football family ball academy youth coaches were given aiming to improve safety and security at well-deserved awards. matches. At the meeting, the BFF president gave A multidisciplinary committee was a very thorough report about the situation given the job of selecting this year’s winning in Belarusian football. He pointed out that projects. Alongside the URBSFA, Belgian a lot of work needed to be done to get clubs KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen, spectators to the stadiums: “We have to R. Charleroi SC, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, KAA remember that marketing and advertising Gent, SV Zulte Waregem, Club Brugge KV, in football requires hard work every day. K. Lierse SK and KRC Genk were singled It is only by working on this every day that out for awards. we will get more spectators coming to The Belgian Football Association had the stadiums.” On improving the level of Talent-spotting. already received a subsidy last season to AFFA refereeing, the president said: “There is help it produce a manual explaining what his squad. The event was held at the no doubt a lot of work needs to be done the role of the security officer entailed. Olympic national team training centre and to improve this area.” He also stressed the This season, the URBSFA has been attracted 200 children. The coaches singled importance of reducing to 12 the number given EUR 20,000, the maximum possible out 11 promising players. of teams playing in the top division: “The for a single fair play credit. This handsome The AFFA plans to hold similar events in decision has been taken. There is no sum, a welcome sign of recognition, will future. ■ going back.” fund the next stage of the project, which

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deputy mayor of Sarajevo, Predrag Pasic, director of Bubamara, and Aldo Montinaro, representative of , in front of a Zlatko Matesa, chairman of the Croatian Olympic hall full of children. committee, between Mircea The city of Sarajevo will cover all the Sandu, member of the transport costs of the children attending UEFA Executive Committee the training sessions, Inter is providing all (right), and Vlatko Markovic, the equipment, and Bubamara has been president of the Croatian Football Federation. appointed to hold the training sessions and CFF lead the project implementation. “Children whose parents aren’t able to European club competitions: four Croatian URBSFA pay club membership fees will be able to clubs now go through. Raymond Hens, Nico De Pauw and Fernand play thanks to this project. There are many The Croatian first division has also been Meese, all members of the URBSFA safety and enlarged from 12 to 16 clubs, with half of security committee, with the fair play trophy. boys who have a great talent waiting to be discovered. Thanks to such projects, many this season’s second division clubs competing involves sending security officers to various world-famous players have been discovered, for the extra places. The club licensing matches in different divisions. such as Ronaldo, and others,” department is reviewing assessment reports Their role will be to provide information, said Predrag Pasic, director of the academy and decisions are eagerly awaited. advice and support to the organisers, with and former player at FK Sarajevo and The Croatian Football Federation is a view to preventing certain violations of VfB Stuttgart. He was also capped for the grateful to UEFA for entrusting it with the Belgian football legislation and of related Yugoslavian national team. ■ organisation of the 2009 UEFA Region’s implementation directives and circulars. The Cup final tournament in June. Eight finalists security officer will under no circumstances will be playing at different football centres take the place of the organiser’s head of in the Zagreb area. The CFF cares a great security and he will not take any operational deal about amateur football and expects decisions for the organisers or police. the tournament to help to reaffirm this. The URBSFA is constantly working to Drazen Ladic, Croatia’s illustrious former improve security, both inside and outside international goalkeeper, has been chosen football stadiums, and is delighted to see to lead the Croatian Under-21s for another its efforts fully acknowledged. ■ two-year period. We look forward with excitement to his talented young players’ first qualifying match. ■ F.Krvavac The artificial pitch in Grbavica BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA • FUAD KRVAVAC • CYPRUS • KYRIAKOS GIORGALLIS • Football development projects for young people Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herze- Tournaments and seminars govina, has always suffered from a short- CROATIA Once again, Cyprus was one of the most age of pitches. Only two stadiums with to • ANTE PAVLOVIC • popular winter destinations for major Euro- additional pitches are available for many pean clubs and national sides to fine-tune clubs. These are the Asim Ferhatovic Hase their teams ahead of UEFA competitions. stadium (also known as the Olympic Sta- Exciting competition The Cyprus FA itself organised its 12th dium) in the district of Kosevo and NK The Croatian Football Federation (CFF) international tournament for national A Zeljeznicar’s stadium in Grbavica. There is has a successful year behind it. Progress teams between 9 and 12 February with also a small stadium being built in the Otoka has been made in every field of activity. great success. Football fans had the oppor- area. As well as the two This was the delegates’ assessment at the tunity, on two matchdays, to watch high- clubs, NK Zeljeznicar and FK Sarajevo, and CFF annual general meeting. Also at this level football with the national team of the first division’s FK Olimpik and NK SASK meeting, the CFF statutes were brought Ukraine eventually winning the tournament Napredak, many second division clubs and into line with UEFA’s. In the ceremonial part by beating Serbia 1–0 in the final. In the ➜ even ten cantonal league clubs rely on of the meeting, certificates were presented these pitches. Until a solution is found, all in recognition of various UEFA Summer of the teams face huge problems trying to Grassroots activities. They were awarded by organise training sessions and there is Mircea Sandu, a UEFA Executive Committee nowhere to hold youth competitions. member, to the Zagreb rehabilitation centre The artificial pitch built a year ago in (best disabled football event), Medjimurje the district of Kosevo and the other installed county football association (best veterans recently at the Grbavica stadium are now football event), Varazdin county football being used by youth teams. The honour of association (best grassroots futsal event) playing on these pitches for the first time and the Zagreb county football association was given to the capital’s oldest clubs, (most valuable grassroots football event). Zeljeznicar and Pofalicki. Yearly awards known as Trofej podmlatka – One of the most popular and oldest the highest honour in Croatian football – Bosnian football academies is the Bubamara were also presented. in Sarajevo. This academy has recently The latter stages of the Croatian first started a project with Inter Milan to enable and second division championships have 90 children from socially deprived families become very interesting. In the first division to train for free. Other stakeholders in the FC Dinamo Zagreb and FC Hajduk Split project are the city of Sarajevo and the have equal chances of finishing on top.

canton of Sarajevo’s social services. These two clubs will also meet in the final CFA The project launch was announced at of the Croatian Cup. The stakes have been Ukraine won the international tournament the Skenderija hall by Nenad Markovic, raised by new opportunities to enter the in Cyprus.

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➜ opening games, Serbia beat Cyprus 2–0 around the world. I have known him for and Ukraine beat Slovakia 3–2. In the third- many years, from when we both managed place play-off, Cyprus beat Slovakia 3–2. in Spain, and I am very pleased that The FA The elite of women’s football were also is backing the Sir Foundation. present in Cyprus this winter, with 4 of the “Sir Bobby is a very courageous man 12 UEFA Women’s EURO 2009 contenders and it is an honour to be able to present measuring their strength ahead of the him with a donation which will help his August finals in Finland. From 5 March and foundation’s important work.” for a whole week, England, the Netherlands, Sir Bobby Robson was also awarded the France, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, New UEFA Order of Merit in emerald last month. Zealand and last year’s titleholders, Canada, A highly respected coach with an outstand- took part in the second Cyprus Women’s ing record in England and across Europe, Cup. In the final in Nicosia on 12 March, Sir Bobby’s award was in recognition of his England beat reigning champions Canada significant contribution to the development 3–1 to lift the trophy. and renown of football. The award was Grassroots development has been one collected on his behalf by the FA chairman, of our highest priorities over the last few Lord Triesman, at the UEFA Congress dinner years and the Cyprus FA is once again in Copenhagen on 25 March. ■ FFF The national coach, , organising various grassroots tournaments is supporting the project. in the Under-8, Under-10 and Under-11 categories (60 teams in each age group ments over a period of eight months – in playing five-a-side matches), as well as an companies, at a driving school, at a military Under-12 tournament for 22 nine-a-side training centre in Lorient, at the FFF training teams. All these grassroots tournaments centre in Clairefontaine and at associations. are in progress and are expected to finish The companies are monitoring the partici- by the end of May. pants throughout, with a view to recruiting Prior to this, the Cyprus FA, in coopera- them in September. ■ tion with the national referee and referee observer associations, successfully organ- ised two seminars. The main speaker at both seminars was Jaap Uilenberg, a former FIFA referee and current member of the UEFA Referees Committee. During the ref- erees’ seminar, Jaap Uilenberg covered GEORGIA

many topics on the Laws of the Game The FA using footage from EURO 2008 matches. Sir Bobby Robson and display • LASHA GODUADZE • At the second seminar he supplied our ref- the cheque. eree observers with all the necessary infor- mation and guidelines to achieve the most Revaz Shengelia’s efficient and uniform assessment of referee 2008/09 yearbook and assistant referee performances. In addi- The Georgian Football Federation has tion, he analysed the latest marking system. made a gift to Georgian football supporters: Great emphasis was also given to the im- a new book about Georgian football, portance of the UEFA Referee Convention, written by Revaz Shengelia, is on sale now. with detailed explanations about how it FRANCE The Georgian Football Yearbook would help all the associations to improve • PHILIPPE MAYEN • 2008/09 is the 15th edition published in the level of their refereeing. ■ succession since 1993. In the book, football fans can find information about the results Jobs for young footballers of the 2007/08 season. They can also find Integration, citizenship, education, the team lists of the clubs taking part in respect… all these ideas are becoming the national championship and all sorts of increasingly important in our society. When interesting statistics. he was re-elected as president of the A large part of the publication is about French Football Federation, Jean-Pierre the matches of Georgia’s national A and ENGLAND Escalettes made civic development in foot- youth teams held in 2007/08, but readers • JENNIE HAMBLETON • ball one of his priorities. Lots of action has will also find interesting information about already been taken, including the Un but the other European national teams and pour l’Emploi (a goal for employment) their statistics. ■ Contribution to cancer research project, which helps young footballers from The England coach, Fabio Capello, visited inner-city areas find long-term employment, Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital in February using their love of football as a spring- to present a cheque for GBP 75,000 on board. With the French foundation for behalf of to Sir action against social exclusion (FACE) and Bobby Robson, as the former England coach various companies as project partners, the launches his new cancer care centre. FFF helps to identify potential participants, The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials rallies the leagues to facilitate access to Research Centre will be at the forefront of youth worker training schemes, and helps research into cancer – a disease which Sir to promote the project. Raymond Domenech Bobby is fighting himself for a fifth time. is the patron of the project, in which par- Sir Bobby commented: “I’m very grateful ticipants work and study through a dual- to The FA for their extremely generous sup- training system. port and to Fabio for delivering the donation The Permis, sport, emploi initiative in person. I know from experience that he (licence, sport, job) is another move to get has a very demanding job and for him to 100 young footballers (male and female) take the time to visit us personally speaks from Seine-Saint-Denis into long-term jobs volumes about his character.” by September. This dual-training format Fabio Capello said: “Sir Bobby Robson includes an academic refresher course and

is a football legend, not just in England but driving lessons. There are numerous place- GFF

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Football is more attractive than ever before, especially among children and young people. According to the DFB’s new member- ship figures, a total of 2,315,987 boys and GERMANY girls play football in the 21 regional associa- LIECHTENSTEIN • KLAUS KOLTZENBURG • tions. Compared to the previous year, this • ANTON BANZER • represents an increase of 42,297 youngsters under the age of 18. DFB membership boom continues This positive overall picture also includes Financially successful year The boom in membership levels at an upward trend in women’s and girls’ foot- The Liechtenstein Football Association the German Football Association (DFB) is ball. The DFB currently has 1,022,824 female (LFV) held its annual general meeting in continuing: with the addition of more members, making this the second time Schaan on 23 March, when the delegates than 120,000 new members in 2008, the (2008 was the first) that the million mark has dealt swiftly with a packed agenda. number of registered members stood at been surpassed. According to the current The LFV was able to welcome delegates 6,684,462 on 1 January this year. The membership figures, a total of 20,219 girls from its seven member clubs to this annual DFB has 25,726 affiliated clubs. Every week, and women have recently joined clubs. gathering, along with representatives of the an average of 178,396 teams play organ- The largest regional association is still East Swiss and Vorarlberg football associa- ised football. Football therefore remains Bavaria with 1,465,579 members, followed tions. UEFA and FIFA representatives also the most popular sport in Germany and by Westphalia (823,442), Lower Saxony attended the meeting, with the aim of find- the DFB is still the largest member of the (670,504), Württemberg (540,273) and ing out about the LFV’s activities. And they German Olympic Sports Federation. Hessen (523,858). ■ are bound to have left with a very positive impression, since the meeting went extremely smoothly and there was plenty of good news to report. elected to the UEFA Executive Committee, the decision-making body of the European football organisation. Avi Luzon is the first Israeli to be elected ISRAEL to this prominent post and this election • NIMROD SUZIN • demonstrates the high opinion Europe has of the current Israel Football Association. The UEFA Executive Committee is made Chairman elected up of 15 representatives. Mr Luzon was to UEFA Executive Committee elected for a four-year term, in the first In 1994, the Israel Football Association ballot, by the UEFA Congress in Denmark. became a full, “This is a very exciting moment for me equal member of and an important one for Israeli football. UEFA. Now, 15 We, as an association in a small country, years later, it has have managed to make our way to the top reached another of the most important sports organisation

historic and in Europe, which highlights the huge LFV thrilling landmark. advances the Israel Football Association has The Liechtenstein Football Association board, Avi Luzon, chair- made in the past two years,” he said. presided by Reinhard Walser (far right) man of the Israel “I can say I am proud and humble, fully Football Associa- conscious of the importance of this mission The LFV president, Reinhard Walser, tion, has been IFA and filled with great joy.” ■ began by looking back at the highlights of 2008, a year he described as being mixed from a sporting point of view, but very successful financially. The next items on the which the LFF outlined its future priorities agenda were the approval of the annual and took note of the main tasks it faced in accounts and the adoption of various regu- the development of Latvian football. The latory amendments. Since all the details ATVIA LFF president, Guntis Indriksons, promised had already been discussed with the presi- L that the association would continue the dents of the affiliated clubs, the meeting • MARTINS HARTMANIS • mini-pitch project and expected the first was merely required to adopt the relevant pitches to be opened this summer. Also, proposals. Staicele is set to be the first city in Latvian The elections for the LFV board and LFF and LMT equip orphanage gym football history to create a national youth club licensing committees also went without At the end of March, the Latvian Foot- team training base, co-funded by the LFF a hitch. Fredy Hilti, LFV vice-president, ball Federation (LFF), its general sponsor, and UEFA. ■ Georges Lüchinger, marketing director, and Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT), and the Heinz Biedermann, grassroots football Latvian national football team presented director, were all unanimously re-elected for gym equipment to the Apite orphanage in additional two-year terms. The members . Previously, the 30 children living there of two club licensing committees were also had only ladders in their gym, but now unanimously re-elected, giving the LFV they have universal exercise and fitness continuity at all levels. apparatus. The LMT is a patron of the Apite At the proposal of the LFV board, the house and this was the second time the general meeting named former national national football team players and coaches team player and coach Erich Bürzle as an had paid the children a visit. The sweets honorary member. Erich Bürzle captained they brought along were very popular and Liechtenstein’s national team as a player consumed in record time. The LMT donated and, after hanging up his boots, served as books, and the children had prepared a the national team’s assistant coach 85 welcome table for their guests. A picture times, team manager three times and even was taken of all the children and guests head coach for three matches. In Erich before they said their goodbyes. Bürzle, the LFV honoured a man who has

In other news, the LFF held its annual LFF given tremendous service to football in general meeting at the end of March, at The Latvian national team visits orphans in Riga. Liechtenstein. ■

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The selected design was then fine-tuned. This new UEFA appointment will The main idea was to establish a connection undoubtedly carry new responsibilities for with every footballer, which meant not only Mifsud. However, given his qualities as a looking at it from the federation’s perspec- workaholic, he will certainly have more to LITHUANIA tive, but also from that of the players. offer for the benefit of the game. • JULIUS KVEDARAS • “The main challenge was that there were In addition, while at the congress, the two different design objectives – official dis- MFA president together with his general tance and emotional connection. It is along secretary, Joe Gauci, and accompanied A new logo these lines that the vision of the new logo by Patrick Fenech, representing the MFA The Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) had to take shape. The result is a new, sharp referees board, signed up to the UEFA has changed its official logo and the execu- and strong symbol for the Lithuanian Foot- Referee Convention in the presence of tive committee has given the new design ball Federation,” says the general secretary, Michel Platini and the UEFA general secre- its seal of approval. Julius Kvedaras. tary, David Taylor. ■ It was decided that the time had come According to Audrius Klimas, the designer to change the federation’s official logo, to of the new logo, there are many differences raise the quality standard and make it more between the old and new design. The old democratic, open and western. logo was the shape of a shield, as used by The LFF launched a competition for Lithuanian fighters on the battlefields of old. suggestions on how its logo might look Such a symbol, Klimas said, was not very through the eyes of professional designers. appropriate for the official logo because the There were over 30 entrants in the first face of the federation should appear friend- MOLDOVA stage of the competition; four were selected ly, open and simple to the whole world of • VICTOR DAGHI • for the second round based on their ideas football. The federation’s main function for the new logo. After long discussions, is to represent Lithuania’s football clubs, the most popular design was selected as players and society – for that its logo should Order of Honour being that of Audrius Klimas. not be defensive. ■ for UEFA president The UEFA president and a UEFA dele- gation visited Moldova on 5 March, at the invitation of Pavel Cebanu, president of the Football Association of Moldova

FYR MACEDONIA MALTA • ZORAN NIKOLOVSKI • • ALEX VELLA •

Plans for a new training centre Malta FA president At the beginning of March, the UEFA given due recognition president, Michel Platini, visited FYR Mace- During a brief meeting of the newly donia at the invitation of the football asso- formed UEFA Executive Committee at the ciation. During his stay, he visited a monu- end of the XXXIII Ordinary UEFA Congress ment dedicated to the first football match in Copenhagen late in played in the country, 100 years ago. March, the president The UEFA president also visited the of the Malta Football national stadium in the capital, Skopje, which Association (MFA), is currently being rebuilt and should be Joseph Mifsud, was finished in June. appointed as one of Boris Harcenco The most important meeting was with UEFA’s vice-presidents Michel Platini, Pavel Cebanu and Vladimir Voronine the prime minister of FYR Macedonia, Nikola in the FAM president’s office. Gruevski, where an investment contract for the next two for a new training centre in Skopje was dis- years, on proposal of (FAM). It was the second time that Michel cussed. Michel Platini said that UEFA would UEFA president, Platini had visited Moldova in the last Michel Platini. contribute to the project by the way of its UEFA-pjwoods.ch three years, but last time, in 2006, he HatTrick programme. The government will The MFA top offi- came here as a candidate for the UEFA supply the plot of land and, according to cial, a lawyer by profession, is well-versed presidency. Hari Hadzi-Risteski, president of the Foot- in European football’s administrative circles, The UEFA president’s visit included ball Association of FYR Macedonia, the rest having served uninterruptedly on the stops at the FAM offices, where he met of the money will come from sponsors and Executive Committee of the European the association staff, and the Vadul-lui- the association itself. governing body since he was first elected Voda technical centre, where he met the At the press conference, the UEFA in 1994, a span of service which makes FAM executive committee and Moldova’s president talked about modern trends in him one of the doyens of European foot- football veterans. world football and problem areas such as ball administration. During his visit, the UEFA president ■ youth transfers. In Malta, Mifsud has been at the helm also met Vladimir Voronin, president of of football for almost 17 years, during Moldova. He said that this was his first which the Maltese game has continued to visit to Moldova as UEFA president and he make progress in various sectors and he intended to fully capitalise on his good, has managed to build on his predecessors’ friendly relations with the FAM president, achievements. Advances have been regis- Pavel Cebanu, and the possibilities for tered in administrative and infrastructural UEFA to help in the development of fields, as well as in putting Malta on a Moldovan football. Presently, under the wider international, competitive map. HatTrick programme, the FAM is organis- His administrative nous in matters ing projects to extend the technical centre relating to the game has earned him sev- and equip the pitches with toilets and

FSM eral key positions, including a post as a stands, which would allow the association A ceremony in front of the monument European member of the FIFA Executive to host official Under-17 and Under-19 commemorating the country’s first football match. Committee between 1998 and 2000. mini-tournaments there.

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Mr Cebanu acknowledged the solida- The tournament will be operated on rity shown by the European football com- a league basis with six matches played be- munity in supporting the FAM to restore tween the four neighbouring teams. The the Vadul-lui-Voda technical centre after provisional agreement was for the first two the 2008 summer floods. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND games of the tournament involving all four The FAM president listed the achieve- • FRAN WHEARTY • teams to take place on 8 and 9 February ments of recent years in the development 2011, while the remaining four games would of Moldovan football, namely the creation take place three months later on 24, 25, 27 of 46 artificial mini-pitches, the renova- Aviva claim naming rights and 28 May. tion of the Zimbru stadium and the crea- for new stadium The tournament is expected to attract tion of FAM subsidiaries in various Hibernian Aviva, Ireland’s largest insur- many thousands of supporters from all over Moldovan districts. ance company, has secured the naming Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Mr Voronin thanked the UEFA presi- rights to what will now be called the Aviva Republic of Ireland, and to provide a major dent for the projects UEFA had imple- Stadium in what is one of the most signifi- boost to Irish tourism, along with the UEFA mented in Moldova. The Moldovan presi- cant sponsorship deals in Irish history. The Europa League final which takes place at dent made special mention of the mini- deal sees Hibernian Aviva take on the the Aviva Stadium on 18 May 2011. ■ pitch project. At the end of the event, the naming rights for a ten- UEFA president was awarded the Order of year period and provide Honour. This distinction was conferred on investment support to the UEFA president and celebrated ex- the Irish Rugby Football footballer as a sign of appreciation for his Union (IRFU) and the FAI for their grassroots special contribution to the development programmes. of Moldovan football and the consolida- Meanwhile, following tion of its technical and material founda- a meeting in Copen- tions. “When I heard the Marseillaise – hagen, the football asso- the French national anthem – in the presi- ciations of Northern Ire- dential office, I had two feelings. First of land (IFA), the Republic all, I felt like I was at the football match of Ireland (FAI), Scotland between France and the Republic of (SFA) and Wales (FAW) Moldova. Secondly, I remembered my last recently agreed on provi- match as captain of the French national sional dates for the six team. That was 22 years ago. I am hon- matches of the inaugural oured and grateful for this award,” said four associations’ tour-

the UEFA president at the press confer- nament which will take FAI ence for Moldovan and foreign journalists. ■ place in Dublin in 2011. The Aviva Stadium.

Irish FA’s five-star status reflects the work cance of this accolade. “When you con- being undertaken by the association to sider that only eight countries in Europe develop areas of grassroots football such have received this award and we are up as participation, coach education struc- there with the likes of Germany, England NORTHERN IRELAND tures, social responsibility and disability, and the Netherlands, this puts into con- • LEE CARROLL • girls and women’s football. text what a great achievement this is,” Lee Carroll said: “The association said the Northern Ireland boss. “I have has been involved in this process for the always stressed the importance of getting UEFA award for grassroots past couple of years and a lot of hard the grassroots structures right. They are football work and dedication has gone into meeting an essential element in the development None other than football legend and the criteria for these awards. This is just of players and where all our future stars now president of UEFA, Michel Platini, reward for all the Irish FA staff, grassroots begin their football careers. I would was in Northern Ireland recently and officers and those involved in grassroots like to congratulate all the Irish FA staff presented the Irish Football throughout Northern Ireland. To involved in getting this award.” with a prestigious UEFA award in recogni- be recognised by UEFA and be one of the The Irish FA has a dedicated team tion of its promotion and development top countries in Europe is fantastic.” including grassroots, girls’ football, dis- of grassroots football. Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland ability football and community relations Mr Platini presented the president of coach and supporter of the grassroots officers all committed to the promotion the Irish FA, Raymond Kennedy, and its programme, also recognises the signifi- of grassroots football. ■ head of grassroots football, Lee Carroll, with the coveted five-star recognition under the UEFA Grassroots Charter scheme. Northern Ireland is now mixing with and holding its own against some of the top football nations in Europe and sits proudly alongside seven other top foot- ball nations (England, Scotland, Germany, The UEFA president, Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Michel Platini, presents the five-star Ukraine) who have attained the five-star award to Raymond award and been recognised by UEFA at Kennedy (left), the highest level. president of the IFA, The UEFA Grassroots Charter scheme and Lee Carroll, the IFA’s head of was established around three years ago grassroots football. with the purpose of trying to get all mem- ber associations in Europe to bring about and pursue the development of grass-

roots football in their home countries. The IFA

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FC), who took the award for the second the recession in order to minimise its year in a row. The Peter Dubovsky award effect and the CEO of FK Austria Wien in the Under-21 category, named after an presented his club’s activities. Another outstanding Slovakian international who guest speaker came over from the Welsh SLOVAKIA died in 2000, also went to last year’s FA to give some insights into his area of • JANKA PERACKOVA • winner, Marek Hamsik. In addition to the expertise, public relations and crisis com- men’s footballer of the year, votes were munication, which the club PR specialists cast for the 2008 women’s footballer of and senior management all found very Fair play award and footballer the year. Veronika Klechova of SK Slovan useful. The last foreign speaker was a of the year 2008 Bratislava won in this category, with representative of Italian football club The Slovak Football Association (SFA) Marcela Lukacsova coming second and , who presented the Italian has been looking back on 2008 with the Eva Kolenova third. ■ giants’ scouting strategy. But this was whole Slovak football family. The 2007/08 not the last of the interesting, educational fair play awards ceremony was held in the presentations: Slovenian football club last week of February. The traditional cere- NK Maribor presented its PR strategy, the FAS’s Mladen Cicmir spoke about financial and legal aspects of transfer activities, and his colleague Milos Rus presented the FAS grassroots plan for 2008–12. SLOVENIA Ales Zavrl, head of the licensing depart- • MATJAZ KRAJNIK • ment at the Slovenian FA, was very pleased with the outcome of the confer- ence: “The feedback we received suggests Management conference it was a very successful conference, which The licensing department of the is also clear from the number of partici- Slovenian FA (FAS) has organised one of pants. Domestic and foreign speakers its regular management conferences gave presentations on topics that are for Slovenian clubs and football stake- currently very important, at home and at holders, dealing with the future of Sloven- international level. The exchange of ian football in different areas: finance, experience and good practice will defi- youth football and public relations. Vari- nitely help the growth of our football.” ous high-profile speakers addressed these The conference was also attended by subjects from different angles. A UEFA guests from the football associations of representative talked about some of the Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia- key preventive measures necessary during Herzegovina. ■

ciation’s training philosophy and its youth development concept, as well as the work SFZ of the four SFV training centres. Martin Skrtel with his impressive player After attending a training session for of the year award. SWITZERLAND young players from the Emmen training mony took place in Dolny Kubin and, • PIERRE BENOIT • centre, the former players went for dinner as usual, there were three categories: at the Old Swiss House in Lucerne, where they had an opportunity to reminisce and exemplary and successful playing career, Ex-internationals meet in Emmen exemplary work and contribution to exchange stories about former glories. Slovak football, and extraordinary act. At the invitation of the Swiss Football Participants at the meeting, the third of Ladislav Jurkemik, Anton Ondrus and Jan Association (SFV) president, Ralph its kind, included some really big names in Svehlik, legendary players and winners of Zloczower, and general secretary, Peter Swiss football, such as Ciriaco Sforza (79 the 1976 European Championship, were Gilliéron, former members of Switzerland’s caps), André Egli (76), goalkeeping legend honoured in the first category, together national team this year met in Emmen, Erich Burgener (64) and with Ladislav Kuna (Czechoslovakia’s most in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, for their (44), who was twice selected for Switzer- capped player) and Jan Kozak (current annual get-together. land’s World Cup side, in 1962 and 1966. MFK Kosice coach and outstanding former The SFV technical director, Hansruedi The guests were welcomed by Switzer- international). Seven people received Hasler, and the head of the SFV training land’s national team delegate, Ernst awards in the second category and special centre in Emmen, Heinz Moser, told the Lämmli, and the head coach, Ottmar prizes were awarded in the third to three group of ex-internationals about the asso- Hitzfeld. ■ brave men who had saved the lives of three players, each at a different match. Another important event, which took place in March and was dedicated to cur- rent players, was the Slovakian footballer of the year award ceremony. Journalists and football coaches vote for the player who is considered to have performed best The association’s over the previous calendar year. The top president, ten, in ascending order, were Marek Cech Ralph Zloczower, (West Bromwich Albion) Filip Holosko talks to (Besiktas Istanbul), Peter Pekarik (VfL ex-internationals. Wolfsburg), Stefan Senecky (Ankaraspor AS), Robert Vittek (SC Lille), Jan Kozak (SK Slovan Bratislava), Marek Sapara (Rosenborg Trondheim), Stanislav Sestak (VfL Bochum), Marek Hamsik (SSC Napoli)

and, in first place, Martin Skrtel (Liverpool SFV/ASF

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Communication

Communications The Football Union of Russia Birthdays – Calendar has a new email address: [email protected]

Birthdays ● Helmut Krug (Germany, 19.5) ● Gaetano De Gabriele (Malta, 19.5) Match agents ● Rune Pedersen (Norway, 19.5) Jean-Marie Gantenbein (Luxembourg), ● Raimondas Statkevicius (Lithuania, 19.5) member of the circle of former UEFA commit- ● Michal Listkiewicz (Poland, 20.5) Three new UEFA match agent tee members, celebrates his 75th birthday on ● Serge Muhmenthaler (Switzerland, 20.5) licences have been granted: 12 May. Two match observers are turning 70: ● Zvezdan Terzic (Serbia, 21.5) Johann Hantschk (Austria) on 3 May and ● Nicolai Cebotari (Moldova, 21.5) Robert B. Valentine (Scotland) on 10 May. ● Theo van Seggelen (Netherlands, 22.5) Koralia Konstantea Ernst-Peter Radziwill (Germany), member of ● Packie Bonner (Rep. of Ireland, 24.5) the Stadium Construction and Management ● Ainar Leppänen (Estonia, 24.5) All Star Consultancy Ltd Panel, celebrates his 60th birthday on 11 May, ● Semen Andreev (Russia, 25.5) followed by Odile Lanceau (France), member ● Suheil Daood (Israel, 25.5) Syngrou Avenue 137 of the Stadium and Security Committee, ● Hans Cooman (Belgium, 25.5) 17121, Nea Smirni on 14 May and Piotr Maranda (Poland), ● Ivancica Sudac (Croatia, 25.5) member of the Jira Panel, on 15 May. ● Ramon Calderon Ramos (Spain, 26.5) Athens, Greece UEFA also wishes many happy returns to: ● Evgeni Giner (Russia, 26.5) Tel.: +30 210 9339830 ● Mircea-Lucian Salomir (Romania, 1.5) ● Robert Jeurissen (Belgium, 27.5) ● Campbell Ogilvie (Scotland, 1.5) ● Zdenek Sivek (Czech Republic, 28.5) Fax: +30 210 9340821 ● Peter Mikkelsen (Denmark, 1.5) ● Patrick A. Daly (Rep. of Ireland, 28.5) [email protected] ● Ladislav Gadosi (Slovakia, 3.5) ● Jim Stjerne Hansen (Denmark, 28.5) ● Volydymyr Chorno-Ivanov (Ukraine, 3.5) ● Jean-Pierre Escalettes (France, 29.5) ● Anghel Iordanescu (Romania, 4.5) ● Jacques Antenen (Switzerland, 29.5) Cem Ülkeroglu ● Eleonora Gambillara (Switzerland, 4.5) ● Peter Gilliéron (Switzerland, 5.5) Kastel Dragos Sahil Sitesi E.3-55 Forthcoming events ● Costakis Koutsokoumnis (Cyprus, 5.5) Dragos / Maltepe ● Kenneth Ridden (England, 6.5) ● Gudmundur Petursson (Iceland, 6.5) Meetings Istanbul, Turkey ● Stanislav Strapek (Slovakia, 6.5) 12.5.2009, Minsk Tel.: +90 216 457 4771 ● Karl-Erik Nilsson (Sweden, 6.5) Draw for the final round of the European ● Murat Jaha (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 7.5) Women’s Under-19 Championship Mob.: +90 532 297 9139 ● Pekka Luhtanen (Finland, 8.5) 12/13.5.2009, ● Michel Pralong (Switzerland, 8.5) [email protected] Executive Committee ● Marc Dobbeleir (Belgium, 8.5) ● Patrick Comninos (Greece, 8.5) ● Ucha Ugulava (Georgia, 8.5) Competitions Soslan Salamov ● Haim Zimmer (Israel, 9.5) 5/6.5.2009 Brit Education & Travel ● Georgios Borovilos (Greece, 10.5) UEFA Champions League: semi-finals ● Armen Melikbekyan (Armenia, 10.5) (return leg) 26 Westbourne Grove ● Arie Frost (Israel, 11.5) 6-18.5.2009, Germany London W2 5RH, England ● Timo Huttunen (Finland, 11.5) ● Final round of the European Under-17 Tel.: +44 20 7727 2360 Henrik Ravnild (Denmark, 13.5) Championship ● Mattia Piffaretti (Switzerland, 13.5) Fax: +44 20 7727 5705 ● Ferreira Matos (Portugal, 14.5) 7.5.2009 ● Hans-Jörg Eissmann (Germany, 15.5) UEFA Cup: semi-finals (return legs) [email protected] ● Hakan Nyberg (Sweden, 15.5) 16.5.2009, Kazan ● Evzen Amler (Czech Republic, 15.5) UEFA Women’s Cup: final (first legs) ● In addition, David Shepherd Nikolay Levnikov (Russia, 15.5) 20.5.2009, Istanbul ● Angel Bungurov (FRY Macedonia, 16.5) UEFA Cup: final (England) has had his licence ● Lubos Michel (Slovakia, 16.5) ● Svein Johannessen (Norway, 17.5) 22.5.2009, Duisburg renewed for eight years, UEFA Women’s Cup: final (return legs) ● Lars Appelqvist (Sweden, 18.5) while Reginaldo Rangel Pereira ● Andreas Morisbak (Norway, 19.5) 27.5.2009, Rome ● Jozef Marko (Slovakia, 19.5) UEFA Champions League: final (England) has cancelled his.

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Chief editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Artgraphic Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications Division Editorial deadline: 9 April 2009 source is indicated. UEFAdirect-85-E 17.4.2009 14:32 Page 24

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