WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL No. 132 | October 2013 In this issue

Official publication of the Union des associations Executive Committee in Dubrovnik 4 européennes de football Among various items on the agenda was a summary of the strategy meeting for the presidents and general

secretaries of UEFA’s member associations, held in Dubrovnik Images Chief editor:

ahead of the meeting of the Executive Committee itself. Getty André Vieli Produced by: Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland Comparative study of European Printing: club football 8 Artgraphic Cavin SA, The UEFA administration has published its benchmarking CH-1422 Grandson

report on the 237 clubs competing in the 2013/14 UEFA club Images Editorial deadline: competitions.

4 October 2013 Getty

The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the official views of UEFA. Safety and security in 10 The reproduction of articles published in UEFA·direct This year’s UEFA / EU and Security Conference is authorised, provided the highlighted the need to work together to overcome difficulties. source is indicated. UEFA

News from member associations 14

Cover: European football united Manuel Pasqual tries to get against racism 22 the better of Petr Čech in Italy’s 2-1 win against the Matchday three in the UEFA club competitions will in qualifying serve to spread the unequivocal message that racism for the 2014 FIFA World and discrimination have no place in the game. Cup. Together with the AFP , Italy were the first to secure a ticket to Brazil. With the play-offs in November, the full European lineup will soon be decided. Photo: Getty Images

2 | UEFA•direct | 10.13 Editorial UEFA

MEMBER ASSOCIATION DIALOGUE CRUCIAL FOR PROGRESS

The recent Top Executive Programme (TEP) In addition, certain other proposals and rec- strategy meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, provided ommendations were submitted to the UEFA the latest opportunity for the presidents and Executive Committee, which held its own meet- general secretaries of UEFA’s 54 member associa- ing immediately after the TEP gathering. For tions to deal with the important sporting and instance, the request to retain the current date political matters which our sport continuously format of the European Under-21 Championship faces – and to make their case to the UEFA Exec- final tournament in odd years after 2015 was utive Committee. approved within 24 hours of the request being made! This is democracy at its finest… Although the member associations meet at the annual UEFA Congress, the TEP meetings We appreciate the input provided by the mem- take place in a completely different atmosphere, ber associations, especially where they make as they are working sessions which focus more proposals and take decisions for the benefit of on sharing ideas in order to shape proposals. European football as a whole. It is this vision, These debates and discussions are central in based on principles of unity and transparency, ensuring that the processes of good governance which allows us to strengthen and progress and transparency are maintained across UEFA’s European football for its long-term benefit. decision-making process.

Normally, issues which affect the long-term evolution of UEFA’s competitions are discussed at committee stage before a final presentation ends on the UEFA Executive Committee’s table for a final decision. These issues take time to resolve, but, equally, the TEP meetings allow the Gianni Infantino associations to make best use of the time avail- UEFA General Secretary able, in order to propose changes and address more immediate operational issues.

This TEP meeting came with a particularly packed agenda, and the talks were shaped by the desire of the UEFA member associations to further promote and develop senior national team competitions for the long term, but always keeping in mind the agreed international match calendar and the continued respect of the princi- ple of unity across all member associations.

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 3 Executive Committee

STRONG INTEREST IN EURO 2020

With in the chair, the UEFA Executive Committee met for the first time since the elections held at the UEFA Congress in in May. It was therefore the first meeting for Englishman David Gill and German Wolfgang Niersbach, who had replaced their compatriots Geoffrey Thompson and Theo Zwanziger. Getty Images

The UEFA Executive Committee at its The Croatian city of Dubrovnik hosted the those of the FIFA World Cup and European Foot- meeting in Dubrovnik meeting on 19 September, following a strategy ball Championship qualifying competitions. The meeting for the presidents and general secretar- Executive Committee granted this request from ies of UEFA’s 54 member associations, organised the national associations, meaning that Under-21 under the banner of the Top Executive Pro- final rounds will continue to be held in odd years gramme (TEP). A report summarising this two- after 2015. The possibility of group winners qua­ day strategy meeting kicked off the Executive lifying directly rather than via play-offs requires Committee’s discussions. further evaluation, as does the idea that the number of finalists should be increased. U21 final rounds to remain in odd years The future of the national team competitions No more cup runners-up in the UEFA beyond 2018 was among the items debated by Europa League the national associations’ top executives. It was In the club competitions, and more specifi- not a question of taking decisions, but rather of cally the UEFA Europa League, the question of giving some initial thought to how these compe- whether domestic cup runners-up should qualify titions might evolve, within the framework of if cup winners qualify for the UEFA Champions the approved international match calendar and League was once again debated. Most national in the general interest of the associations. The associations thought this rule should be changed only concrete outcome on this subject, which so that the place reserved for the domestic cup will continue to be analysed and discussed at winner would go to the best-placed club in the great length, was a request from the national league championship that had not already quali- associations that European Under-21 Champion- fied for a UEFA competition. This change should ship final rounds should continue to be held in come into force from the 2015/16 season. odd years. In January 2012, the Executive Com- The strategy meeting also tackled the subject mittee decided to revert to the previous system of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the of aligning the Under-21 match calendar with national associations unanimous that they were

4 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 not against the principle of the tournament being moved from June / July to a different time MEETING OF THE of year. STRATEGY COUNCIL The national associations also declared them- selves against the third-party ownership of play- ers, expressed support for UEFA’s cooperation Comprising representatives of the national with the other football confederations through associations, leagues, clubs and professional players, memorandums of understanding, and thought the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC) that the possibility of shortening the summer met on 19 September in Dubrovnik on the morning transfer window should be examined, although of the UEFA Executive Committee meeting. this subject fell under FIFA’s remit.

Two places for Gibraltar An update was given on the strategy meeting of the presidents and gen- eral secretaries of UEFA’s member associations, as well on the progress made After this review of the various topics dis- by the PFSC working group on transfer matters. The transfer system will cussed at the strategy meeting, the Executive remain a topic of discussion at forthcoming meetings. Committee continued its meeting by taking note The locally trained player rule was discussed following the publication of of the different UEFA committees’ activities since a study on this rule commissioned by the European Union. Additional items its last meeting in London in May. Among other on the agenda were the calendar of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and things, it noted the decision of the bureau of the European social dialogue. l Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee to give the German and Czech football associations €150,000 each to help pay for repairs to club infrastructure damaged by floods in these coun- ship final tournament would be held in the Czech tries in June. Republic from 17 to 30 June 2015. Following the admission of the Gibraltar Foot- ball Association as a UEFA member, the Execu- Candidates for UEFA EURO 2020 tive Committee accepted the proposal of the By the 12 September deadline, 32 national Club Competitions Committee and decided associations had informed UEFA of their interest to allow Gibraltar to enter two clubs for the in hosting matches at UEFA EURO 2020, which UEFA competitions from the 2014 /15 season: its will be played in 13 European cities to mark the league champions for the UEFA Champions competition’s 60th anniversary. The UEFA Presi- League and its domestic cup winners for the dent, Michel Platini, who came up with the idea, UEFA Europa League. Both clubs will enter at the welcomed the enthusiastic response to his pro- first qualifying stage and the access list for the posal. The “EURO for Europe” is designed to UEFA club competitions will be amended accord- give national associations that would be unable ingly. to organise a whole tournament on their own In other business, the Executive Committee the chance to be involved in staging the event, confirmed that the 2014 UEFA Super Cup would and many responded to the invitation. Most of be held in on Tuesday 12 August, and the candidates (26) applied for one package com- The leaders of the that the 2013–15 European Under-21 Champion­ prising three group matches and one knockout 32 associations that are bidding to host matches at UEFA EURO 2020 Getty Images

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 5 Executive Committee

match, while Turkey only applied for the pack- The national associations can still change their age of semi-finals and final, and the national proposed cities before they submit their final associations of , , , bids, which they have to do by 25 April 2014. and applied for both. The Executive Committee will decide on the host cities at its meeting on 25 September 2014. The candidate associations and their proposed provisional host cities Fewer losses The Executive Committee also took note of a Armenia Yerevan benchmarking report prepared by the UEFA Azerbaijan Baku administration on the 237 clubs qualified and Belarus licensed for the 2013/14 UEFA club competitions Belgium (see pages 8-9). This report shows that club finances have turned a corner, with losses, which Croatia had been rising steadily in recent years, taking Czech Republic a downward turn, falling by €600 million from €1.7 billion to €1.1 billion, i.e. by 36%. This England London development shows the initial effects of the financial fair play measures introduced by UEFA Lyon for clubs participating in its competitions. FYR Macedonia Skopje Germany ■ With less than 1,000 days until EURO 2016 in France, the Executive Committee was updated Jerusalem on the state of progress of construction work Italy / Milan (the stadium in Nice, for example, having opened Kazakhstan Astana in September) and the sale of television rights. Netherlands / Chorzow A report was also presented on the discipli- Portugal / Porto nary cases dealt with this summer in relation to the UEFA club competitions. The rising number Romania Bucharest of cases and the complexity of the proceedings St Petersburg are posing organisational problems that require Glasgow in-depth discussion. Serbia Belgrade Finally, the committee was informed about Spain / Barcelona / proposed revisions to the UEFA Statutes designed Bilbao / Valencia to bring them into line with decisions taken since Solna the last revision or to clarify points such as the Switzerland definition of absolute majority. Turkey Ukraine Kyiv / Donetsk The next Executive Committee meeting will Cardiff take place in Bilbao on 12 and 13 December. l

Dubrovnik 1970 The Executive Committee Milan but, because of a threatened meeting on 19 September 2013 strike by hotels there, it had been was not the first to be held in moved to Cernobbio, near Como. Dubrovnik. It had met there Since hotel prices there were 43 years earlier, on 8 May 1970, higher than average, the Executive with the then UEFA President, Committee decided in Dubrovnik Gustav Wiederkehr, in the chair to give its members an additional just after being re-elected at the 50 Swiss francs per night. It should 10th Ordinary UEFA Congress be mentioned that, back then, held in the Dalmation city earlier UEFA Executive Committee members the same day. The Executive paid for their hotel rooms them-

Committee meeting had lasted Archives selves from the allowance they only one hour, the only item on received from UEFA. The members of the UEFA Executive Committee who the agenda being the appoint- met in Dubrovnik in 1970 It is also interesting to note that, ment of the Executive Commit- at the UEFA Congress, the Football tee office holders and the composition of the other UEFA Association of Yugoslavia proposed that a fair play committees. The Executive Committee’s ordinary business trophy be awarded in each UEFA competition. However, had been dealt with a few days earlier, on 5 May, at a the proposal was rejected on the grounds that it would meeting in Italy. That meeting should have been held in be too complicated to implement. l

6 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 of whommadeitthrough the group stage. ment were UkraineandtheNetherlands,neither Spain –inthefinal,beatingthem 5-1. The fullfixture listisavailableonUEFA.com. (which hasacapacityof15,000)between3and8February. finals andfinalwillthenbeplayedatthelargerSportpaleis between 28Januaryand2February. Thequarter-finals, semi- Group D:Spain,CzechRepublic,Croatia. Group C:Italy, Azerbaijan, Group B:Russia,Portugal,Netherlands Group A:Belgium,Ukraine,Romania groups: the CentrumElzenveldinAntwerp,resulting inthefollowing from 18to 28September. Beach SoccerWorld CupinTahiti, whichtook place defendedtheirtitleintheFIFA successfully Russia title soccer 8 February nextyear. and take placeinAntwerp,Belgium,between28January round oftheEuropean Championship,whichwill inthefinal viding thenamesoflastfourparticipants The play-offs rounded offqualifyinginSeptember,pro­ Final round draw inBelgium European Futs Competitions R FIFA BeacWorldCup h Soccer Ukraine willbeintherunningaswell. add totheirlistofhonours,andformerfinalistsPortugal willalsobewantingto (who wontheinauguraltournament) time inarow. However, Italy(winnersin2003)andRussia forasixthtime–andthefifth seeking towinthetournament ussia defendtheirbeac h The otherEuropean teamsatthat FIFA tourna- The Russiansplayedanother European side– The group matcheswillbeplayedattheLottoArena The drawforthefinalround wasmadeon4Octoberat Belgium. Portugal, Azerbaijan,theCzechRepublicandhosts EURO 2014,alongsideSpain,Italy, Russia,Slovenia, have takenthelastfourplacesatUEFA Futsal Ukraine, theNetherlands,RomaniaandCroatia Spain, whohaveheldthetitlesince2005,willbe al Championship

Photo News l l Belgian international On theleftisformer ing holdersSpain. Gorozika, represent- by LaurentziGana Football Association, of theRoyalBelgian (centre), president handed toFran The trophywas de Keersmaecker

çois

the 2013/14UEFA Futsal Cuparenowknown. All theteamsthatwillbecontesting theeliteround of Elite rou nd lieupcomplete UEFA Futs main round onaccountoftheirseedings. Clube dePortugal(Portugal),whowere givenabyeinthe stan), MFKDinamo(Russia),FCBarcelona (Spain)andSporting They willbejoinedintheeliteround byKairatAlmaty(Kazakh- Târgu Mureş (Romania) qualified at the beginning of October. FC Litija(Slovenia),CFEindhoven(Netherlands)andCity’US Sarajevo (BosniaandHerzegovina),LokomotivKharkiv(Ukraine), placed teamsSlov-MaticBratislava(Slovakia),KMFTango 2014 inthehomecountryofonefinalists. qualifying forthe final round, whichwill take placein April ments between 19 and 24 November, with the group winners on UEFA.com. Fourgroups offourwillcompeteinmini-tourna- UEFA headquartersinNyon,andthe outcomewillbeannounced The eliteroundwillbecontestedinspring2014. Switzerland, Turkey andUkraine. Romania, Russia,Scotland,Serbia,Spain,Sweden, the Netherlands,Poland,Portugal,RepublicofIreland, Denmark, England,Finland,France,Germany, Iceland, , Belarus,Belgium,Croatia,theCzechRepublic, The 24teamsthathavequalifiedfortheeliteroundare: Norway. best runners-upfromtheeliteroundbeingjoinedbyhosts from 15to27July2014,withthesixgroupwinnersand The finalroundofthecompetitionwillthentakeplace Qualifying round completed European Women’sUnder-19Championshi The drawfortheeliteround willtakeplaceon18Octoberat bia) andArazNaxçivan(Azerbaijan)–second- (Czech Republic),KMFEkonomacKragujevac(Ser- Tulpar Karagandy(Kazakhstan),FKEPChrudim (Belarus),GyőriETOFC(Hungary), Vitebsk VitEn The six group winners from the main round – MFK elite round,whichwillbemadeon20November. each hadabyeinqualifying)thedrawfor ship willjoinEngland,GermanyandSpain(who 2013 placed teamsinthequalifyingroundof The 11groupwinnersandthe10bestsecond- al Cup /14 EuropeanWomen’s Under-19 Champion-

l UEFA in thefinal overcoming Spain their delightafter Russia’s players show • direct |10.13 | l

7

AFP Club football

Europe’s clubs under analysis

A new UEFA benchmarking report focusing on the 237 clubs competing in this season's UEFA club competitions was unveiled in Dubrovnik and is now available on UEFA.com.

Unique depth and breadth of European football revealed The first section of the report features a detailed ten-year review of club performance in UEFA competitions and emphasises the broad participation of clubs and relative success of dif- ferent countries’ clubs. For example, Spanish and English clubs have been the most consist- ently successful, with a 70% success rate in reaching at least the last 16 of the UEFA Cham- pions League or UEFA Europa League, while teams from 22 different UEFA member associa- tions have reached this stage of the competi- tions during those ten years. This section of the report also highlights what makes European football unique, with the huge depth and breadth of club football illustrated. As the UEFA President, Michel Platini, says in the foreword to the report: “Whilst some clubs have Photos UEFA inevitably been more successful than others, the fact that 255 different clubs have competed in the UEFA Champions league and 583 different The report, entitled Licensed to thrill, is the clubs in total have competed in UEFA club com- first benchmarking publication to concentrate in petitions in the last decade makes me proud to detail on the clubs participating in UEFA’s com- be the UEFA President. Proud that so many dif- petitions. It is based on audited financial figures ferent people have been able to experience first- submitted by the clubs to UEFA as well as on hand the magic of football and proud of the data from UEFA’s competition and stadium data- strength of football across Europe.” bases. The PDF version of the report provides added interactivity – for example, allowing readers to Reduction in club losses and debts hover over the club logos and see pop-up boxes The UEFA General Secretary, Gianni Infantino, showing a complete record of every round in highlighted the headline figures from the report which each club has participated during the ten first in and then in Dubrovnik, in particu- years under review. lar the €600m decrease in top-division aggregate club losses – the first time on record that club revenue growth has exceeded wage cost growth – and a sig- nificant 70% reduction in clubs’ overdue payable debts. As the UEFA General Secretary said in Monaco, these figures underline the positive effect that financial fair play is already having on clubs. The 52-page report contains a wealth of information on European club finances beyond those headline figures, as well as some important non-financial information.

8 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 As well as revealing the unique depth of Euro- enues 24% and 10% respectively, gate receipts pean football, the report also spotlights the 20%, and other revenues the remaining 10%. healthy turnover of clubs in the competitions, As well as looking at the current state of club with 26 clubs (listed in the report) participating finances, the report also presents some analyses for the first time in a decade, while 21 of these looking back over the last five three-year cycles clubs are playing in Europe for the first time in of European club football and, again, the pic- their history. ture presented is a successful one, the record levels of interest in UEFA club football generat- Club rankings revealed for first time ing an average increase in competition distribu- The inclusion of a series of top 25 club rank- tions equivalent to 12% every year for the last ings in various categories, including average decade. domestic attendance, squad transfer costs, the value of club fixed assets, club revenues and net Investment and spending earnings from transfer activity, represents a sig- levels revealed nificant increase in the transparency of clubs‘ Elsewhere, the report analyses the off-pitch performance and is in line with the to be used in this year’s UEFA club competitions, stated financial fair play objective of increasing with 56 clubs initially sharing stadiums, a figure club football transparency. that is likely to rise as and if clubs progress to later stages of the competitions, where logisti- Ever increasing revenues cal and security requirements increase. Of the The report presents the financial performance stadiums in use at some stage during the com- of the most recent fully completed financial year petitions, well over half are classified as Cate- (ending 2012), which will form the basis for the gory 4 and over half have a capacity of more first year of financial figures to be examined than 20,000. under the much anticipated break-even assess- One of the aims of financial fair play is to ment of financial fair play. According to the encourage long-term investment in stadiums, report, there were 31 clubs in Europe with reve- training complexes and other facilities as future nues of €100m+ in the past financial year, of resources. The record levels of income flowing which 24 are competing in this year’s UEFA com- into the game provide an opportunity for such petitions, with Real Madrid CF topping the rev- investment, but detailed UEFA analysis of the enue table. 237 club accounts reveals that total cash invested While revenues across European top-division in such assets was around €300m during 2012. football (700+ clubs) increased by a healthy 7% This compares with a net transfer cost of appro­ compared with the previous year, the revenues ximately €800m and net wages of €4,900m. of the 25 largest clubs increased at the even These figures underline the need to continue to higher rate of 12%. This means that between encourage long-term investments at club level. 2008 and 2012, these clubs increased their rev- On average, the 237 clubs spent 60% of their enue by a remarkable 42%, buoyed by the ever revenue on wages, 79% of which went to increasing global reach of the European game. players and 21% to technical and administra- tive staff. The report also demonstrates the redistributive effect of the transfer system, with Lithuanian, Belgian, Icelandic, Polish and Serbian clubs reporting 20%+ net transfer earnings as a percentage of revenue.

Increasing understanding of European club football UEFA has been greatly encouraged by the feedback received from all stakeholders on the previous annual club licensing bench- marking reports, and hopes this new “slim- line” interim report will further increase understanding of club football in Europe. The report demonstrates that football, and European football in particular, remains strong, with many successes. At the same time, it pro- Domestic television contributed by 25% to vides some food for thought. The last word is total revenues of the 237 clubs participating in left to the UEFA President: “Let us together UEFA competitions, with UEFA prize money con- keep European football strong for generations tributing 11%, sponsorship and commercial rev- to come.” l

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 9 Stadium and Security Conference

TOGETHER IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD

On 11 and 12 September, Warsaw welcomed over 300 delegates to the annual UEFA/EU Stadium and Security Conference.

This unique event – the theme of which was “together is the only way forward” – brought together the clubs that had qualified for the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, the police authorities of their respective countries, experts from EU think tanks and UEFA’s 54 member associations. The programme featured opening addresses by Grigoriy Surkis, one of UEFA’s vice-presidents, and Elvinas Jankevičius, the vice-minister for the interior in , which currently holds the EU presidency. These were followed by an over- view of notable incidents, which spanned three seasons, and a series of integrated group work- shops on prominent issues (including welcoming away supporters to a host city, the use of pyro- technics in stadiums and overall stadium man- UEFA agement and operations). UEFA vice-president The conference room was set up in an innovative Grigoriy Surkis gives his Back to basics style to foster discussion opening address Let us first look at the theme of this year’s conference. In 2012 the event focused on “rais- ing the bar” – calling for an overarching improve- ing the importance of collective cooperation: ment and dedication above and beyond the call “UEFA has 54 member associations, but despite of duty to ensure the best possible environment this vast network it simply cannot operate in iso- for football. This year’s conference went back to lation. We need to be supported by govern- basics, emphasising the importance of working ments, public authorities and police in our efforts together to achieve the best possible results. to ensure that our competitions can take place in Working together may seem obvious, but all too a safe, secure and welcoming environment.” often we focus on our own objectives and forget He went on to explain how the current politi- about the correct flow of information – or do not cal turbulence and economic instability in Europe stop to think about the impact that our actions has had an impact on football, with protests and can have on our partners. As different stakehold- unrest becoming more visible. Surkis stressed ers have different roles and tasks, this is some- that legislators and governments’ focus on foot- times a natural consequence of working together, ball violence must be constant and relentless, but it is especially common when working under because as long as everything possible has not pressure or to a tight deadline. “Together is the been done, our duty has not been fulfilled. only way forward” is about knowing our part- ners and understanding the wide variety of ele- Not just the game ments that must come together in the event Elvinas Jankevičius also took a strong line on chain to stage a safe and secure football match. cooperation, but admitted that there are no easy The first priority is always safety, and in this stand-alone solutions: “Joint responsibility is the respect working together should not be a choice only way to ensure a safe and welcoming envi- but rather an integrated part of the daily work ronment for spectators – and this is valid not ethic. only on the football pitch, but also during travel, at airports and train stations, and in the city cen- Government support needed tre. Football is not just the game, it’s the whole Grigoriy Surkis is certainly no stranger to com- ‘day out’, and this is especially true for travelling plex event operations, having been a key player fans and families.” The vice-minister concluded in the organisation of UEFA EURO 2012 on behalf by stressing the serious nature of stadium secu- of Ukraine. He opened the conference by stress- rity, reminding everyone present that people’s

10 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 they should prove harmless and only enhance the atmosphere for football fans. The vast major- ity argued the opposite and, using case studies and some disturbing video footage, stressed the inherent risk involved. The discussion groups were all overwhelmingly against pyrotechnics in the stadium, although this is likely to remain a passionate topic for some groups of supporters.

Open discussion Now in its 12th year, the UEFA/EU Stadium and Security Conference has continued to develop in terms of both content and the exchange of knowledge. The design and impressive layout of the conference room facilitated open discussions based on long-term experience in the field, and to facilitate future exchanges of information the online Stadium and Security Expert Tool (SSET) developed by UEFA and the EU was launched. This innovative application is considered the most comprehensive source of information and best practices available. UEFA The subjects discussed in Warsaw and the level of debate proves that now, more than ever, communication barriers must be overcome, and UEFA, its member associations and clubs must come together with governments, public author- lives are at stake. An integrated approach is ities and the police to put a stop to football vio- needed, from prevention to reaction, one that lence. An integrated approach is indeed the only involves the active and joint participation of pub- way forward and it is up to all of us to ensure The various work- lic and private authorities, police forces, clubs that this vision becomes a reality. l shops allowed and supporters. delegates to discuss issues in greater detail Incident review The UEFA incident review was presented from the unique perspective of the travelling fan and examples were given not only of incidents in the stadium itself, but also of incidents while travel- ling to the final destination, on arrival, in the city centre and outside the stadium. It is clear from the number of reported incidents over the last three seasons that although the situation remains stable, considerable progress has to be made in the coming years to minimise problem areas. The issue of pyrotechnics was also discussed, resulting in a wide range of opinions being expressed and intense debate. The workshop explored the two opposing positions on pyro- technics: the first being that their use in the sta- dium should be banned; and the second being that they should be allowed in the stadium, but their use should be regulated. Representatives of Football Supporters Europe (FSE) argued that pyrotechnics are not necessarily dangerous, so if used in the correct way and the right location, UEFA

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 11 Research grant programme

THE FANS’ VIEW ON COMPETITIVE BALANCE IN FOOTBALL LEAGUES

Each issue of UEFA·direct features a summary of a research project funded by the UEFA research grant programme. In this issue, Tim Pawlowski presents his research.

match on TV. The data used was collected from 1,689 football Tim Pawlowski is a professor of fans in Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands by means of a sports economics at the Univer- written survey conducted in cooperation with local partners. sity of Tubingen. His research interests include the economics of league competi- The results demonstrate that there are three different tions and economic analysis of dimensions to football fans’ views regarding competitive bal- sports demand. He has conducted ance, and that their perception of the level of balance does research projects for organisa- indeed vary across these short, medium and long-term dimen- tions such as the federal ministry sions (as illustrated in the figure), as well as across leagues. of finance, the Hamburger Sport- Significantly, around 70% of fans reported that they do care

DR Verein (HSV) and (MLS). about competitive balance. Further analysis confirms that we His research has been published in journals such as might be close to the point where an increase in competitive Applied Economics and the Journal of Sports Economics. imbalance could lead to a decline in fans’ interest in some football competitions in Europe.

Regulations governing salaries (such as the salary caps in Further details can be found here: the North American major leagues) and redistribution schemes Pawlowski, T. (2013). Wettbewerbsintensität im Profifußball - (such as the redistribution of media revenues in European Eine empirische Untersuchung zur Bedeutung für die Zuschauer. football) are common practices in professional sports leagues. Wiesbaden: Springer-Gabler Research. ISBN: 978-3-658-00210-7 (http://www.springer.com/ The main reason for this is the desire to maintain a certain springer+gabler/bwl/book/978-3-658-00210-7) degree of competitive balance. This seems to be important, Pawlowski, T. (2013). Testing the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis since the “uncertainty of outcome hypothesis” suggests that in European professional football - A stated preference approach. increasingly unbalanced sports competitions have the poten- Journal of Sports Economics, doi: 10.1177/1527002513496011. l tial to negatively affect fans’ interest and, as a result, stadium attendance levels and TV audiences. Thinking back over the last few seasons, what is your However, in European professional football, studies seldom opinion of the league? prove that more tickets are sold when both teams have roughly equal chances of winning. Moreover, various studies show (1 = I do not agree... 4 = I agree completely) that football fans are even attracted by matches where the Before the game it is impossible away team is the favourite (probably motivated by the oppor- to know which team will win. tunity to see top players and/or an upset). Furthermore, over More and more Home and away the longer term, aggregate attendance levels have actually different teams teams win just are relegated. as often. risen in some football leagues (e.g. those of Germany and England), even as those leagues have increasingly become More and more dominated by a small number of teams over the last ten years. different teams qualify for the There is no clear UEFA Europa outsider in any of the games. At first glance, such findings suggest that competitive bal- League. ance is of minor importance for football fans in Europe. This would clearly challenge the relevance and necessity of intro- More and more ducing more regulations in football with the aim of achieving different teams The fight for more balanced competitions. However, so far, the only thing qualify for the the title remains UEFA exciting for a we really know is that competitive balance is of minor impor- Champions long time. League. tance for football fans at present. Significantly, the question of whether (increasingly unbalanced) football competitions might be at risk of moving into territory where fans’ interest The fight for Many different qualifying places will tail off in the future remains unanswered. Clearly, finding teams win the for the UCL championship. remains exciting an answer to this question is of great importance for the for a long time. organisers of national leagues, as well as for UEFA. To find an The fight against The fight for answer, we first need to better understand fans’ views and relegation remains qualifying places perceptions regarding competitive balance. exciting for a long time. for the UEL remains exciting for a long time.

This study therefore examines the relationship between short-term dimension of competitive balance mid-term dimension of competitive balance Sample average for all three leagues perceived competitive balance in three European football based on n = 1,689 observations leagues and fans’ intention to go to the stadium or watch a long-term dimension of competitive balance

12 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 The 54th UEFA member association

NEW KIDS ON THE ROCK

Gibraltar became UEFA's 54th and newest member at the 37th Ordinary UEFA Congress in London this May.

They may be the newest kids on the block, but they are no newcomers to the international The GFA in brief football family. The Gibraltar Football Associa- President: Desmond Reoch tion (GFA) was established 118 years ago in General secretary: Richard Manning 1895, making it the seventh oldest national asso- Address: PO Box 513, Gibraltar ciation in Europe, alongside Belgium and Swit- Tel.: +350 200 42 941 zerland and just behind the four British associa- Fax: +350 200 42 211 tions, Denmark and the Netherlands. Email: [email protected] The origins of Gibraltarian football have mili- Website: www.gibraltarfa.com tary roots. British soldiers and sailors based in Number of members in 2013 Gibraltar began playing the game in the 19th cen- Registered players: 1,393 tury and their enthusiasm for it soon rubbed off Referees: 41 on the civilian population. By 1892 at least one Coaches: 210 club – Prince of Wales FC – was already in exist- ence. Another club, Gibraltar FC, was founded in November 1893. The first national league compe- tition was established in October 1907. In addition to the league competition, a national cup competition – the Rock Cup – is also played. Golden ages In the 2013 final, St. Joseph’s FC beat Manchester The period between 1949 and 1955 is regarded United (Gibraltar) FC 3-1 to lift the trophy. by many as the “golden era” of football in There is incredible enthusiasm for the grass- Gibraltar. It was during this time that several roots game in Gibraltar, while the women’s game famous clubs, including Real Madrid CF, visited and futsal continue to grow. Over 600 young- to play against the Gibraltarian national team. sters were registered in GFA competitions for Fast-forward to 2013 and Gibraltar could be 2012/13 and that number is expected to increase about to embark on another golden age. The for this season. When you consider that Gibral- Gibraltarian national futsal team participated in tar’s total population is 30,000, the figures are the UEFA Futsal EURO qualifiers for the first time truly remarkable. Although there are currently in 2013. The team was drawn in Group A along- just three women’s teams participating in the side San Marino, Montenegro and hosts France. GFA’s women’s league, the game is quickly gath- The qualification tournament also saw Gibral- ering popularity among girls in Gibraltarian tar’s first ever win in an official UEFA competition schools. A new will com- – an exciting 7-5 victory over San Marino. Gibral- mence in the autumn. tar’s Under-19 and Under-17 national teams par- These are exciting times for Gibraltarian foot- ticipate in their respective qualifying tourna- ball and, as UEFA’s newest member, the GFA is ments in October 2013, and the senior national enthusiastic about the opportunities and chal- team will feature for the first time in the draw for lenges that lie ahead. l the qualifying competition for EURO 2016 in Feb- Dennis Beiso The senior national ruary 2014. team of Gibraltar

Project for a new stadium Gibraltar’s national stadium is currently the Victoria Stadium, although the GFA will shortly embark on a flagship project to develop a new national stadium overlooking the spectacular Strait of Gibraltar – the historic maritime cross- roads where the continents of Europe and Africa meet. Fittingly, the new ground will be named the Europa Stadium. Gibraltar’s national league continues to thrive. In the 2012/13 season, six clubs participated in the first division and a further ten in the second division. Lincoln FC became Gibraltarian champi- ons in 2012/13. They were undefeated all season and won the league title by an 11-point margin. The first division has been expanded for 2013/14 and will now consist of eight clubs. DM Parody

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 13 member associations

Austria www.oefb.at

Big birthday for honorary The independence of the Austrian Bundesliga, ÖFB-GEPA president Mauhart the return to a top division of ten clubs, the establishment of the Friends of the National Team Beppo Mauhart with the ÖFB’s president, Leo Windtner On 14 September, Beppo Mauhart – and the creation of development centres for (right), and general director, Alfred Ludwig who was president of the Austrian Football the next generation of players were just some of Association (ÖFB) for 17 years, 9 months and the achievements of the Mauhart era. Mauhart’s the foundations for that success with Austria 10 days and wrote sporting history in Austria period in office – the longest of any ÖFB president and Hungary’s bid to co-host UEFA EURO 2004, as one of the architects of UEFA EURO 2008 – – also coincided with the construction of a roof demonstrating his vision, considerable celebrated his 80th birthday. at what is now the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, as commitment and iron will. The ÖFB’s honorary president, who is known well as qualification for the final rounds of both Leo Windtner, the president of the ÖFB, for his elegance and eloquence, led Austria’s the 1990 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. Alfred Ludwig, the ÖFB’s general director, and largest sports association from 1984 to 2002, His greatest coup, however, was the the rest of the ÖFB board congratulated Beppo during which time he made a number of chang- successful bid to host UEFA EURO 2008, in Mauhart on his birthday and celebrated his es and was responsible for considerable reforms which he played a key role right up until his services to Austrian football. and restructuring. departure from the ÖFB. Beppo Mauhart laid l Christoph Walter

Azerbaijan www.affa.az

UEFA President visits Baku Michel Platini that UEFA had registered Baku as a candidate and Rovnag to host UEFA EURO 2020 matches, which are The UEFA President, Michel Platini, recently Abdullayev to be held in 13 cities across the continent. visited Azerbaijan, where he met the country’s take part in Baku was put forward by the AFFA and will the foundation president, Ilham Aliyev, and the president of the compete with cities from 31 other countries.

AFFA laying ceremony Association of Football Federations of Azerbai- As part of his visit to Baku, the UEFA President jan (AFFA), Rovnag Abdullayev. At the meeting also witnessed the progress made in the with Ilham Aliyev, the two men underlined the UEFA, as well as reforms being carried out construction of the city’s Olympic Stadium, which importance of the activities being carried out to in order to develop football in the country. is scheduled for completion in 2015. Later that develop various kinds of sport in Azerbaijan and On 21 September a foundation-laying day, local club Sumqayit FK unveiled their new praised the measures being implemented with ceremony was held for a new training facility stadium in the presence of Michel Platini and a view to establishing modern sports infrastruc- for Azerbaijan’s national teams near the AFFA Rovnag Abdullayev. The UEFA President then met ture in the country. They also discussed the Football Centre in Baku. That was followed by young footballers from the club. successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and a media briefing, at which it was announced l Ulviyya Najafova

Bosnia and Herzegovina www.nfsbih.ba

Dragons’ nest completed Muhamed Konjić, Elvir Bolić, Vedin Musić, Nermin Šabić and Vlatko Glavaš. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Football After the entertainment programme, Federation (NFSBiH) has completed the building in which Bosnian ball juggling cham-­ of its new training centre, which sits at Crkvičko pion Zlatko Mešić performed and brdo, on a hill above the town of Zenica. 160 boys and girls from across the It offers stunning views of the stadium below, country played football on the pitch, where Safet Sušić’s team – the Dragons – the opening ceremony began. Michel have achieved such success in recent years. Platini and Elvedin Begić unveiled a Krvavac F. The centre has been built with the help of statue erected by the NFSBiH and the A good turnout for the inauguration ceremony UEFA’s HatTrick programme and FIFA’s Goal training centre was officially declared Programme, and also with the aid of Zenica city open. Mr Platini also thanked the mayor of Zenica, council, which has leased the land for 40 years In his speech, Elvedin Begić highlighted Husejin Smajlović, for all the cooperation and and built the necessary infrastructure and the great importance of the complex for the assistance provided to the NFSBiH in recent access roads. The work, which has been development of football in the country: “This years and presented him with a UEFA award. coordinated by the NFSBiH, has all been done reminds us how much FIFA and UEFA have “It’s nice to be at a place like this. Our first by local firms, which is very important in these helped us – not only with the training centre, match in autumn 1996 in Tirana was played times of economic crisis. but also with other projects – and to say that with borrowed equipment, and now we have A large number of guests were present for we are grateful would be an understatement. our own nest, from which numerous young the centre’s inauguration. Foremost among them This construction work has given us a centre male and female players will go out into the were the UEFA President, Michel Platini, the at which all national teams can prepare, and world of football,” said Muhamed Konjić, president of the NFSBiH, Elvedin Begić, the this gives us hope that we can now perform the first captain of the Bosnian national team. general secretary of the NFSBiH, Jasmin Baković, better in games. We are just sad that we do The NFSBiH’s training centre has two football the former chairman of the NFSBiH normalisation not have an adequate stadium,” he added. pitches: one with natural grass and one with committee, Ivica Osim, Bosnian football The UEFA President expressed his satisfaction artificial turf. The grandstand complex has ambassadors Duško Bajević, Faruk Hadžibegić with the work done: “Congratulations on a accommodation blocks with 24 double rooms, and Sead Kajtaz, and members of the Executive nice training centre. I'm glad I'm now on the two suites (intended for selectors), a meeting Committee, as well as guests from neighbouring football field, because I have spent recent room, a restaurant, a kitchen, six locker rooms, countries, such as Davor Šuker, president of the years dealing with political issues in the office. space for leisure activities, a sauna and much Croatian Football Federation, and Ivan Ćurković I would like to thank Ivica Osim, who, as head more besides. The training centre will not only from Serbia. National team coach Safet Sušić, of the normalisation committee, put the Bosnia be used to prepare national teams. According his assistant Borče Sredojević, and players Emir and Herzegovina Football Federation on the to the NFSBiH, various seminars, meetings and Spahić (the team captain) and Senad Lulić were right path. I believe in Bosnia and Herzegovina other such events will also be held at the centre. also present, as were former internationals because this region loves football.” l Fuad Krvavac

14 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 Bulgaria www.bfunion.bg

A day in the life of a referee Assistant referees are having to adapt to changes The Bulgarian Football Union (BFS) recently to the Laws of the Game organised a two-day seminar for the country’s football journalists. Prominent journalists representing all kinds of media, both traditional forms (i.e. print media, TV and radio) and online seminar’s opening ceremony that, media, were invited to learn about refereeing from now on, a trophy would be from renowned speakers, all of whom were awarded to the journalist who reported former international referees. most fairly and respectfully on referees’ The reporters had the opportunity to test decisions in the course of the season. their knowledge of the Laws of the Game, The BFS also aims to turn this seminar including the most recent changes. They also into a regular event. took UEFA’s video-based refereeing test and In other news, the BFS’s coaching played the Make a Decision game, where each Getty Images academy recently ran a UEFA B licence participant had four cards – green, blue, yellow course for goalkeeping coaches. and red – and had to use them to evaluate topic of all, and the issue of also raised Among the lecturers on the course were Italian video clips of scenarios on the pitch, which a lot of questions. coach Massimo Cacciatori and Maarten Arts were played just once in real time. The changes Yordan Hristoskov, a member of the BFS from the Netherlands. to the offside rule were the most discussed Executive Committee, announced at the l Pavel Kolev

Croatia France www.hns-cff.hr www.fff.fr

Croatian football mourns Bučar Award (a national award for sports). Open days get new the loss of Vlatko Marković A commemorative ceremony was held for season under way him, at which the president of the HNS, Davor Croatian football recently lost one of Šuker, emphasised Marković’s close relationship As it does every year, the French Football its greats when former player, coach and with his colleagues in the federation: Federation launched the start of the new Croatian Football Federation (HNS) president “Vlatko was not only a boss; he was a father football season by organising three weekends Vlatko Marković passed away at the age of figure to many of us. You could go into any of open days. The first were for U10s and 76 after illness. battle with him; you knew he had your back. U11s on 14/15 September, followed by U8s Marković was born on 1 January 1937 in We owe it to him to continue down his path and U9s on 21/22 September and U6s and U7s Bugojno in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After an – taking care of people, taking care of the on 28/29 September. impressive playing career (one of the highlights federation, taking care of Croatian football. of which was being selected for the FIFA World He taught us how to do it.” Cup in 1962), Marković became a successful František Laurinec, a member of the UEFA coach, guiding Yugoslavia to victory in the Executive Committee, also said a few words UEFA competition for national representative about his close friend: Under-23 teams. He also managed the Croatian “Croatian and world football have lost one national team for one match in 1994. of their best administrators. He earned great In 1998 he was elected president of the HNS, respect as a friend and as an international a position that he held for the next 14 years. authority. Vlatko Marković’s name will not In 2012 he was appointed honorary president be forgotten in football.” of the HNS. He oversaw Croatia’s participation Other speakers included FIFA director at two FIFA World Cups and three UEFA EUROs, Walter Gagg, Zagreb mayor Milan Bandić, while also helping the federation to build its GNK Dinamo Zagreb president Mirko Barišić, new headquarters. He was a member of several Dinamo Zagreb star Zlatko Škorić, and FIFA and UEFA committees and served as Marković’s close associate and national team chairman of the UEFA Technical Committee. He director Zorislav Srebrić. was given several prestigious awards, including Vlatko Marković passed away on

the Matija Ljubek Award (presented by the 23 September 2013. FFF Croatian Olympic Committee) and the Franjo l Tomislav Pacak All over the country, the clubs and districts participating in the initiative opened their doors to the general public – children and parents alike – to bring them into the fold and get them playing football. Numerous workshops were held as part of the open days, including fun children’s games, juggling and friendly matches. This initiative, which is free and open to everyone, aims to promote the pleasure of playing football. For the youngest age groups, it offers an introduction to football with no pressure to win. For the older ones, it serves as an invitation to take up the game or to improve performance levels under the guidance of the The HNS president, regional coaches and the technical staff on hand. Davor Šuker, pays homage This latest series of open days attracted more to Vlatko Marković than 280,000 children (including 12,000 girls) to 3,200 different venues. HNS l Laura Goutry

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 15 Member associations

Hungary Italy www.mlsz.hu www.figc.it

Good start for women coaches Youth football project The Hungarian Football In cooperation with the magazine Guerin Association (MLSZ), led by Sándor Sportivo and Sky TV, the Italian Football Csányi, has again underlined its Federation (FIGC) has launched a new project desire to attract and involve women for the 2013/14 season. The initiative – La in football in Hungary by introduc- Giovane Italia – reflects the principles of Club ing a new coaching course tailored Italia, the department that coordinates all of specifically to women. The MLSZ Italy’s national teams (which is headed by recognises the importance of Demetrio Albertini, with acting women’s football and has a clear as a coordinator). The aim is to promote strategy to improve the current and showcase Italy’s young footballers. situation. Basic coach education is Of all the criticisms made of our youth one part of this strategy, designed football, Arrigo Sacchi – a man with extensive to lay firm foundations for future experience on the international stage – imme- mlsz.hu, Zsuzsanna Kuti development. diately pointed to the limited international The MLSZ’s coach education A hands-on exercise for the coaching students experience of our young players relative centre has started a new grassroots to other European countries and the fact C licence programme for coaches looking “This course is undoubtedly useful for that our young players find it difficult to be to work in youth football, coaching children women at the start of their coaching careers, magnanimous and patient, to understand that aged between 5 and 14. One branch of so they can build their confidence and you win just by taking part and, above all, this programme is dedicated exclusively to introduce training drills for other women and to accept the idea of losing with dignity. women who, after 16 weeks and 66 hours of girls,” Lévay said. “We have a few active education, hope to achieve the grassroots C footballers here and a good group of people coaching licence. Among the 18 students on who can all improve, even those who've the specialist branch are two members of the already studied coaching in the past. The women’s Hungarian national football team, tutors are excellent at presenting the materials Boglárka Szabó and Júlia Németh, and the and make every effort to help the students head coach of the women’s Under-17 national become better coaches.” team, Andrea Lévay. l Márton Dinnyés

Israel www.football.org.il

IFA launch women’s football training in optimal conditions and to achieve academy creditable results in important international tournaments. FIGC The Israel Football Association (IFA) is happy One such tournament is the final round and proud to announce the establishment of the 2014/15 European Women’s Under-19 Faces of the future of the first Israeli women’s football academy, Championship, which Israel is hosting and in which 21 selected players were enrolled in for which the 21 academy players are expected The FIGC has also set up a new national September. to be on the roster. Under-15 team, with the aim of broadening This professional academy is the IFA’s first The academy’s top-notch coaching staff the monitoring of Italy’s most promising young step towards a better future for women’s include head coach Guy Azouri, who has players and improving cooperation with all the . The basic values of the previously led top men’s teams in Israel, and his other national youth teams, right up to the academy are excellence, fair play, teamwork assistant coach, Jan Talsnikov, a former player senior team, strengthening the players’ bond and achievements. who also has experience of coaching in the with the national team’s shirt and implementing The aim is to allow talented young women top-flight. a code of conduct. to maximise their potential through optimal The girls will be at the academy 24 hours a The development and promotion of the day, Sunday to Thursday, for 11 months a year. next generation of Italian footballers are key They will practice twice a day and will play in objectives of the FIGC, which has invested both both the boys’ league and the women’s first human and financial resources in increasing division. numbers of training courses, international The IFA will provide these young athletes matches and observers. Reforms have been with the best training conditions, a boarding implemented in order to adjust the age school, top sports facilities, a state-of-the-art of players competing in the Primavera gym, specialist staff for check-ups, follow-ups championship and establish UEFA training and development programmes, access to the courses for youth team coaches. In addition, sports medicine and research department on regular meetings with clubs are foreseen in campus, a constant support structure compris- order to establish a common approach as ing physicians, nutritionists, physiologists, regards technique, selections and investment. psychologists and other specialists, injury This involves the use of a specific manual, rehabilitation, and a social and educational which is now in its third edition. It includes files team that is second to none. on 300 Under-19 players – 50 who have already This is another milestone in the IFA’s efforts been selected for national youth teams and to reduce the gap in women’s football 250 future champions who are being monitored standards between Israel and the countries that by technicians at regional level. The technical first made the game so popular and successful. profiles have been developed by Paolo Ghisoni, The IFA sees this as something that will make Stefano Nava and a group of experts. a big difference to people’s perceptions of If you want to teach young people the social women’s football and should bring more girls values of our sport, you have to start at youth IFA into the game in the near future. level. Israel hopes to get more girls into football l Michal Grundland l Barbara Moschini

16 | UEFA•direct | 10.13 Liechtenstein www.lfv.li

Injury prevention in training To this end, the FIFA Medical Assessment The medical department and technical and Research Centre has developed the 11+ staff of the Liechtenstein Football Association Programme, which was presented to the LFV (LFV) attended a one-day training course on medical department and technical staff at the 13 September. The course, which focused on one-day training course. injury prevention, was devised by the FIFA The event was organised by Dr Ecki Hermann, Medical Assessment and Research Centre. head of the LFV medical team, and conducted Playing football requires a variety of qualities, by FIFA’s Mario Bizzini. It began with some such as stamina, skill, speed, and technical and theory, which was followed by a practical tactical awareness. These qualities are session including demonstrations by the course constantly nurtured and improved through leaders. The day was rounded off with more training. However, due to the risk of injury practical exercises in which LFV sports students LFV inherent in football, training should also include participated. The LFV president Matthias Voigt (white T-shirt) injury prevention exercises. l Anton Banzer with the men behind the course

Lithuania www.lff.lt

A project for the women Although the Women for Football project started three years ago, the idea of inviting all the wives and girlfriends of national team players to attend matches is a new develop- ment this year. In September the women watched their first international together. A special VIP area of the stand was prepared at the Lithuanian Football Federation’s new stadium in Vilnius, attracting the attention Enthusiastic support of photographers. Vaida Česnauskienė, wife for the national team of current Lithuanian international Deividas Česnauskis, was nominated to be an ambassa- dor for the project. LFF According to Vaida Česnauskienė, having players’ wives and girlfriends attend matches will hopefully become a tradition and be an so together we form a second national team Women in football will hopefully become example to all women – showing that stadiums in the stands,” Vaida Česnauskienė said. more visible as a result of the project and attract are open to all. She explained that it is very In September the Women for Football more and more other women to the game – important to continue with this initiative at supporters team went to their first match outside not just as players, referees and coaches, but future matches and to involve as many women Lithuania, travelling to . It was their first also as supporters, socially active members as possible. match abroad, but hopefully not their last. of clubs and members of event organising “I am sure that the wives and girlfriends of The Women for Football project includes committees. Football is not just a game and every player has followed each match separately many activities in the area of professional football events involve considerable preparation. – whether at home, in the stadium or else- football, but also extends to the amateur game. For this reason, the Women for Football where. Now we have the opportunity to come An important part of the project is social events, project is very keen for as many women as together and feel the emotion of the game which are very prominent and need the help possible to get involved. together. We are all fans of our respective men, of each individual sports association. l Vaiva Zizaite

Malta www.mfa.com.mt

Esther Azzopardi at Women’s EURO 2013

Malta’s participation in the UEFA Women’s She was also fourth official for pleased she was to be representing Malta EURO 2013 held in Sweden this summer was France v Russia (3-1), refereed by Jenny in such an important competition: “This ensured by Esther Azzopardi, who was among Palmqvist of Sweden at the Norr­köp­- wonderful experience will remain in the 24 women officiating at this top UEFA ings Idrottsparken in Norrkoping, and my memories forever. The atmosphere competition. for Norway v Netherlands (1-0), refereed at matches was electrifying. The match Azzopardi was one of the three fourth by Teodora Albon of Romania at the between rivals Sweden and Denmark on officials appointed by UEFA for the final Kalmar Arena. the opening day attracted a sell-out tournament, the others being Carina Vitulano Azzopardi’s final appoint- crowd of 16,128 spectators.” (Italy) and Monika Mularczyk (Poland). ment was for Denmark v l Alex Vella On the opening day, Azzopardi officiated Finland at Gamla alongside Bibiana Steinhaus of Germany, Stadium, which Kateryna who had been appointed to referee the derby Monzul of Ukraine refereed. between hosts Sweden and neighbouring Speaking from Kalmar Denmark at Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothen- during the tournament, the

burg, which ended in an exciting 1-1 draw. Maltese official said how Sportsfile Esther Azzopardi.

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 17 Member associations

Moldova Poland www.fmf.md www.pzpn.pl

2013 peace project in Moldova Nicolai Cebotari, general secretary of the A unique edition FMF, and Scott Lee, founder and director of the Tymbark Cup From 5 to 7 September, the British embassy of Spirit of Soccer. in Chisinau, of The project will help to develop child The 14th Tymbark Cup tournament, in Moldova (FMF) and the Spirit of Soccer NGO protection policies and practices, as well as which almost 185,000 children aged ten and organised the 2013 Football Ambassadors fostering the improvement of coaching under have taken part since early spring, has of Peace project. methods for women’s football in Moldova. now come to an end. The girls’ competition The project involved a workshop for coaches The British embassy in Chisinau, the FMF was won by representatives of Małopolska, held at the FMF’s national training centre in and Spirit of Soccer (a partner in FIFA’s while the boys’ champions were from the Vadul-lui-Voda, followed by a football festival Football For Hope programme) have already Łódzki region. The whole tournament, which for 100 girls from ten Under-14 teams from all designed and implemented four previous mirrored the European format, was a huge over Moldova (including Transnistria and the projects addressing issues relating to conflict success. autonomous territorial unit of Gagauziya). resolution, children’s rights and child Maciej Sawicki, general secretary of The festival was attended by Phil Batson, protection in Moldova. the Polish Football Association (PZPN), had British Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, l Press office the following to say about the competition: “This was a unique edition of the Tymbark Cup tournament. As many as 185,000 kids applied, which is phenomenal, and numerous fans filled the stands of the Arka stadium to cheer the teams on and have fun themselves. I must admit, I envy those kids a little. They have the opportunity to compete in such great conditions. The best teams were named unofficial U-10 champions of Poland and as a reward they will get a chance to cheer on our senior national team in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley. Congratulations and see you all next year!” PZPN vice-president Roman Kosecki added: “It is really important for the kids to see former players who can teach them a trick or show them a useful skill to help them develop. I am glad that the final took place at the Arka Gdynia stadium. Youngsters need FMF to be spoilt. They need to play in the best Some of the girls involved in the football festival conditions possible. I consider tournaments such as this a great way of training young players and bringing kids closer to football. Our national team players Piotr Zieliński and Northern Ireland Bartosz Salamon were also part of the www.irishfa.com Tymbark Cup few years back. I think that during last weekend’s finals we again Trophy for Street League team marginalised groups to participate in football witnessed several future national team stars.” and educational programmes. Selection was The Northern Ireland Street League team based not only on football skills, but also on recently returned from their very successful commitment and positive attitudes. debut at the 11th Homeless World Cup, Once the tournament started, the team which was held in Poznan in Poland. A total found their winning form quickly. After a first of 68 teams from 45 countries competed defeat, they rose to the occasion to beat in the fast and furious four-a-side competition. England 8-0. During the group stages, the team The players were selected from the Belfast won seven of their ten games, defeating teams and North West Street Leagues, which take such as Switzerland, , Finland, South place weekly to provide opportunities for those Korea, the Philippines and Germany. The team made it to the quarter-finals of the Ministry of Labour Cup, where they were knocked out by Slovenia. Their final ranking was 30th out of a total of 45, but the real victory was the acknowledgement of the positive spirit in the team. Northern Ireland were awarded the trophy for the best new team, recognising not only the great display PZPN on the pitch but also their contribution off Poland’s young footballers, raving to go the pitch. The whole team embraced the tournament ethos of fair play and respect by supporting The two final days of the competition other teams with coaching, making new friends comprised 96 games. The finals were an and experiencing new cultures. They also unforgettable experience not only for the kids showed sportsmanship on the pitch as they but also for the spectators, who watched the helped injured opponents off the field and dealt greatest young talents in Poland from the with pressure and defeats in a positive way stands of Arka Gdynia stadium. And with while at the tournament. This was all encom- that, another successful, some may say IFA passed in the team’s mantra – “have fun and historic, edition of the Tymbark Cup came The Street League team that did Northern Ireland you have won”. to a close. proud in the Homeless World Cup l Maria Wilson l Jakub Kwiatkowski

18 | UEFA•direct | 10.13 Portugal www.fpf.pt

Portugal and showed the national association’s

Women’s football gains FPF firm footing firm commitment to the further development of the game. These talks took place at the Rio The FPF president, Fernando Gomes, The president of the Portuguese Football Maior sports centre, a complex that provides addressing the women’s national team Federation, Fernando Gomes, paid a visit to the world-class facilities to help girls and women women’s national team in September before reach the top level in football. and youth levels) and by 2013 that number had they flew off to Greece, where they successfully The women’s Under-19 and Under-17 risen to 5,746. Developing women’s football began their qualifying campaign for the 2015 national teams have been making unprecedent- has been a key target for the Portuguese FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. ed strides in Portugal and the number of female Football Federation since Fernando Gomes was Gomes held talks with the players on current players has risen by 170% in two years – in elected president in December 2011. and future trends in women’s football in 2011 there were 2,057 (including both senior l Matilde Dias

Republic of Ireland www.fai.ie

Departure of Giovanni tion for the 2010 World Cup in Trapattoni after the play-off in France. This particular World Cup campaign has been The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), disappointing, but Giovanni leaves us with a and Marco Tardelli group of good young players, which should announced on 11 September that, following an FAI form the basis of the squad that the new amicable meeting that day, they had parted Minister Joan Burton at FAI headquarters manager will use for UEFA EURO 2016 in company by mutual consent. France, when 24 teams will qualify.” One of the greatest managers world football Trapattoni said: “I want to thank everyone in Meanwhile, the FAI’s activities continue as has known, Trapattoni’s tenure as manager of Ireland who has given us their support during our normal and the FAI was very pleased to the Republic of Ireland national team was an time here, which has always meant a lot to us. welcome Joan Burton, minister for social emotional journey, with the highlight being “We leave this country with emotion because protection, to FAI headquarters at the National qualification for UEFA EURO 2012. we understand the Irish supporters, who have a Sports Campus in Abbotstown. The legendary coach, who counts Juventus, well-deserved international reputation, and they The minister met management and staff, FC Internazionale Milano, AC Milan, FC Bayern have our utmost respect. I would like to thank including interns who are currently participating München, SL Benfica and the Italian national John Delaney, Paddy McCaul, Michael Cody and in the JobBridge national internship scheme. The team among the many sides he has led, will the FAI board for their support and friendship scheme has seen several out-of-work individuals always be very warmly regarded in Ireland. over the last five and a half years.” progress from intern roles to full-time employ- While the heartbreak of the FIFA World Cup Making the announcement, the FAI’s chief ment with the FAI in recent months. qualification play-off defeat by France in executive, John Delaney, said: “We thank Minister Burton was accompanied by Martin in 2009 will always be a sore memory for the Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli and Fausto Murphy, managing director of HP Ireland and Irish fans, there is no doubt that Trapattoni and Rossi for the last five and a half years, during chairperson of the steering group that oversees the Tardelli helped restore the standing of the which we qualified for our first major tourna- implementation of the national internship scheme. national team overall. ment in ten years and were close to qualifica- l Stephen Finn

Scotland www.scottishfa.co.uk

New national performance "We feel that and Heriot-Watt centre in Edinburgh came up with the best plan to help us achieve our vision. We believe the centre will be The Scottish government has announced leading-edge; it will be world-class. We have that its £30m sporting school of excellence will tried to build in a ‘wow’ factor and absolutely be built at Heriot-Watt University in the capital it will be a facility to match the likes of Images city by 2016. This announcement came after a St George’s Park. We believe we have a very recommendation by its working party – chaired exciting project and we’re looking forward Getty by the chief executive of the Scottish Football to making it happen.” Scotland’s national teams will have Association (SFA) – which reviewed bids from The national performance centre will feature everything they need the shortlisted candidate cities of Edinburgh, a replica of the Hampden pitch, a 500-seater Dundee and Stirling. indoor football stadium, two rugby pitches, science requirements, and a full-size indoor The centre will host all Scotland national three tennis courts and a nine-court sports hall, third-generation surface, which means we will teams and the performance department and on top of sport science and medical facilities. be able to train and coach all year round. It will incorporate a large number of sports, including As well as Gordon Strachan’s squad, the be a one-stop shop to provide all our needs rugby, , athletics, , basket­ centre – which has been backed by Sir Chris Hoy prior to a major match, both home and away. ball, cricket, fencing, handball, hockey, netball, and Gavin Hastings – will also host the Scottish “It will be used from the men’s A squad right shinty and squash. rugby team as they prepare for big test matches. down to our Under-16 Victory Shield side, and “This is the jewel in the crown for the The SFA’s chief executive is most hopeful from the women’s full international team down Scottish FA’s performance strategy,” said the that this will have a tangible effect on the to their Under-15s and Under-17s. It is the SFA’s chief executive, Stewart Regan. “We prospects of the nation’s football team and be perfect opportunity to bring together our players visited a number of leading centres across the both aspirational and inspirational to the young in an inspirational environment with inspirational world, including St George’s Park in England footballers who are part of the SFA’s seven people to try and build performance for the and the centres in Barcelona, and Papendal in regional performance schools. “Whenever we future. It is also, then, the link between our the Netherlands. We also looked at some of the have a camp, we would want the teams to use performance schools and the national teams. It is newer academies in the Premier League down the facilities,” Regan explained. “Accommoda- a place that every young player in our perfor- south, where innovation has been introduced tion was one of the key components of the mance school system should aspire to be part of.” to try and make a difference. vision, alongside other medical and sport l Darryl Broadfoot

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 19 Member associations

Sweden www.svenskfotboll.se

Award for veteran referee “I want to give something back to football Jenny Palmqvist and refereeing. I’ve had so many great experiences in my career. I’ve travelled the Swedish referee Jenny Palmqvist has been world and seen the incredible development of named the world’s best referee of 2012 for women’s football. That is not something I could women’s football, an honour bestowed have foreseen when I started out 15 years by the International Federation of Football ago,” said Palmqvist. History & Statistics (IFFHS). Palmqvist has been In other news, the Swedish government has a FIFA referee for 11 years and has well over finally decided to scrap a law that forced limited

100 international games under her belt. companies to pay for police presence at public SvFF “I’m very flattered. 2012 was a great year events. The law, which was adopted in late Jenny Palmqvist with the medal she received after for me and my team, with the 2011, meant that AIK Solna, Djurgårdens IF, having refereed the 2011/12 UEFA Women’s Champions in London and the UEFA Women’s Champions Hammarby IF and Örebro SK (clubs that are run League final in Munich League final being the standout moments,” as limited companies) were each forced to pay said Palmqvist. up to €110,000 a game to have the police by clubs and the Swedish Football Association, Jenny Palmqvist is on the verge of retiring present in the vicinity of the stadium and on and their work has now finally borne fruit as a referee but will continue to coach and public transport on matchdays. The system had ahead of the Swedish elections in 2014. mentor aspiring youngsters. been criticised and subjected to legal challenges l Andreas Nilsson

Switzerland www.football.ch

High spirits despite bad weather organised Jass tournament in the historic Restaurant zum Bären in Trubschachen Switzerland’s former internationals recently (the oldest inn of this name in the whole of met for their annual get-together at the Switzerland), former international defender invitation of Peter Gilliéron, president of the André “Andy” Egli (78 caps) was head and Swiss Football Association (SFV-ASF), and Alex shoulders above the rest, earning plaudits from Miescher, general secretary of the SFV-ASF. the other ex-players and Peter Gilliéron (who SFV The atmosphere was great, as it always is also did admirably, finishing fourth overall). when the former players get together. They Former Swiss internationals at breakfast In addition to savouring traditional restaurant spent the entire day regaling each other with dishes, the former players also visited a local tales from the past. Even the miserable weather, of cowbell golf at 1,100m above sea level, the biscuit factory, where they enjoyed the delicious which forced a change to the programme, former footballers competed at Switzerland’s produce on offer. could do nothing to dampen the mood. Instead national sport: the card game Jass. In a hastily l Pierre Benoit

Ukraine Wales www.ffu.org.ua www.faw.org.uk

Historic win for Ukraine’s Wales host futsal Futsal is still in its infancy in Wales, but Under-15 girls internationals the first UEFA club competition matches were recently held there and a national club Ukraine’s Under-15 girls – the country’s The Welsh national team are hosting their competition has been running for a few youngest women’s national team – recently first ever international futsal matches at the seasons now. In March, Wales played England defeated local rivals Belarus in a friendly match end of October, when Andorra come to visit. in a friendly fixture and only lost by a single to record their first ever win. There will be two games at the Newport goal. They also made their debut in the Ukraine put pressure on their Velodrome on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 European Futsal Championship in January with opponents and went 1-0 up October, organised as the unofficial return legs three preliminary round games in Bulgaria. early on, with Olena Katerynina of matches played in Andorra in September opening the scoring with a last year. l Ceri Stennett header. Belarus were close to equalising on a few occasions, but Ukraine’s goalkeeper Olha Ryabovil showed she had a safe pair of hands. FFU Two accurate strikes by Iryna First taste of victory Rybalkina and Nataliya Gryb for Ukraine (in yellow), then put Ukraine 3-0 ahead against Belarus before half-time, taking the pressure off. Belarus created several opportunities in the second half, threatening the Ukrainian goal, and eventually Miranovych scored in the 65th minute. However, Khrystyna Ogarkova, Ukraine’s captain, then hit the target with a long-range shot to make the final score 4-1. After the final whistle, representatives of Ternopil city council presented the coaches of both national teams with gifts and souvenirs. FAW l Yuriy Maznychenko Wales’ national futsal team

20 | UEFA •direct | 10.13 Birthdays, calendar, notices

Borislav Popov (Bulgaria, 26 November) Birthdays Styrbjörn Oskarsson (Finland, 26 November) James McCluskey (Scotland, 1 November) Marcos Del Cuadro (Switzerland, NOTICES Marc Batta (France, 1 November) 26 November) ✰✰✰ 60th Miroslav Pelta (Czech Republic, 27 November) l Marco Casagrande became György Szilágyi (Hungary, 2 November) Marios N. Lefkaritis (Cyprus, 28 November) general secretary of the Football Francesco Bianchi (Switzerland, 2 November) Ante Vucemilovic-Simunovic (Croatia, Association of Finland on Gero Bisanz (Germany, 3 November) 28 November) 15 August. Georgios Vourvachis (Greece, 3 November) Andrey Medintsev (Bulgaria, 28 November) Micky Zager (Israel, 4 November) Tomaz Ranc (Slovenia, 28 November) l The UEFA Executive Committee Prof. Andrea Ferretti (Italy, 4 November) Marko Ilešič (Slovenia, 29 November) Luis Figo (Portugal, 4 November) James Finnegan (Republic of Ireland, made the following appointments Lennart Johansson (Sweden, 5 November) 29 November) to its standing committees in Fernand Meese (Belgium, 5 November) Alojzije Supraha (Croatia, 29 November) Dubrovnik: Gregory Dyke (England) Georgi Popov (Bulgaria, 5 November) Charles Flint (England, 30 November) was appointed to the National Mircea Pascu (Romania, 6 November) Adam Giersz (Poland, 30 November) Associations Committee, Jonathan Dragan Djordjevic (Serbia, 6 November) Christiaan Timmermans (Belgium, Hall (England) to the Fair Play and Nadezhda Ulyanovskaya (Russia, 6 November) 30 November) Peter Gardiner (Scotland, 7 November) Wolfgang Niersbach (Germany, 30 November) Social Responsibility Committee Vladimir Badura (Slovakia, 7 November) and Dan Ashworth (England) to the Sergio Di Cesare (Italy, 8 November) Football Committee. Haris Loizides (Cyprus, 8 November) ✰✰✰ 50th l The European Club Association Gjergji Bitri (Malta, 8 November) Forthcoming (ECA) appointed Andrea Agnelli Michele Uva (Italy, 8 November) (Italy), Ian Ayre (England) and Pedro Rudolf Zavrl (Slovenia, 9 November) events Lopez Jimenez (Spain) as its new Jorge Perez Arias (Spain, 9 November) representatives on the UEFA Club Willi Hink (Germany, 9 November) Meetings Theodore Giannikos (Greece, 9 November) Competitions Committee, in place Thomas Hollerer (Austria, 9 November) 1 November, in Nyon of Umberto Gandini, Ivan Gazidis Isabel Hochstöger (Austria, 9 November) Marketing Advisory Committee and Sandro Rosell. In addition, Karl Marc Van Geersom (Belgium, 10 November) 13 November, in Nyon Hopfner (Germany) became the Muharrem Zihni Aksoy (Turkey, 11 November) National Team Competitions Committee committee’s first vice-chairman. Mehmet Murat Ilgaz (Turkey, 11 November) Uno Tutk (, 11 November) 14 November, in Nyon Milan Spirkoski (FYR Macedonia, Media Committee 12 November) ✰✰✰ 50th OBITUARY Howard Wilkinson (England, 13 November) 20 November, in Nyon 2014/15 European Women’s U19 and U17 ✰✰✰ 70th Vlatko Marković, honorary Stefan Hans (Germany, 14 November) Championships: first qualifying round Maciej Stanczuk (Poland, 14 November) draws president of the Croatian Football Peter Fröjdfeldt (Sweden, 14 November) 2013/14 European Women’s U19 Association, passed away on ✰✰✰ 50th Championship: second qualifying 23 September at the age of 76. Samira Huren (Bosnia and Herzegovina, round draw He was a member of the circle of 14 November) 21 November, in Nyon former UEFA committee members Jean Lemmer (Luxembourg, 15 November) UEFA Women’s Champions League: having served as member (1996- Otto Demuth (Austria, 16 November) 2004) then chairman (2004-07) Wolf-Günter Wiesel (Germany, 16 November) quarter and semi-final draws Susan Ann Hough (England, 16 November) Stadium and Security Committee of the Technical Development Radenko Mijatovic (Slovenia, 16 November) 27 November, in Nyon Committee, first vice-chairman of ✰✰✰ 50th Football Committee the Football Committee (2007-09), Jan Fasung (Slovakia, 17 November) Youth and Amateur Football Committee and first vice-chairman (2009-11) Brian Quinn (Scotland, 18 November) then co-opted member (2011-13) 28 November, in Nyon Dumitru Mihalache (Romania, 18 November) of the Development and Technical Per Svärd (Sweden, 18 November) 2013/14 European U19 and U17 Claudio Circhetta (Switzerland, 18 November) Championships: elite round draws Assistance Committee. Stanislaw Michal Pilkowski (Poland, 2014/15 European U19 and U17 18 November) Championships: qualifying round draws Knarik Abelyan (Armenia, 18 November) 2014/15 UEFA Regions’ Cup: preliminary Dr Jacques Liénard (France, 19 November) and intermediate round draws Horst R. Schmidt (Germany, 19 November) 13/14 November Petr Fousek (Czech Republic, 19 November) UEFA Women’s Champions League: Jean-Louis Piette (France, 20 November) Competitions round of 16 (return legs) Paul-Heinz Lenhart (Germany, 22 November) ✰✰✰ 70th 5/6 November 26/27 November Jyrki Filppu (Finlande, 22 November) UEFA Champions League: UEFA Champions League: Mamuka Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, group stage (matchday 4) group stage (matchday 5) 22 November) 7 November 26 November – 8 December, in England Izabella Lukomska-Pyrzalska (Poland, UEFA Europa League: European Women’s U17 Championship: 22 November) group stage (matchday 4) final tournament Nikolai Pisarev (Russia, 23 November) George Koumas (Cyprus, 24 November) 9/10 November 28 November Jonas Braga (Lithuania, 25 November) UEFA Women’s Champions League: UEFA Europa League: Zbigniew Przesmycki (Poland, 26 November) round of 16 (first legs) group stage (matchday 5)

UEFA •direct | 10.13 | 21 22 With theUEFA clubcompetitions attracting widespreadinterestfrom football FARE ActionWeeks racism anddiscriminationhavenoplaceinthegame. fans around theglobe,theyprovide theperfectplatformto that spreadthemessage |UEFA • direct |10.13 F adopted attheUEFA Congress lastMay, when paign forever fresh inpeople’s minds. during theknockoutstage,keepingcam- match thisseason,andonLEDperimeterboards nently displayedonthepitchatstartofevery T-shirts. NotoRacismbanners are beingpromi- and ballboysgirlswillwearNotoRacism between theplayersinpre-match lineups, show athalf-timeofeverymatch. available tobroadcasters around theworldto paign will be shown in each stadium and made containing playertestimonialsbackingthecam- over clubs’publicaddress systemsandavideo armbands, anti-racismmessageswillbeplayed bat them.Team captainswillwearNotoRacism developing ideasandstrategiesonhowtocom- erance anddiscriminationinfootball,aswell which aimtoincrease publicawareness ofintol- of activitiesduringtheFARE Action Weeks, a unitedfront againstracismanddiscrimination. standing socialresponsibility partner, topresent Against RacisminEurope) network,itslong- is againteamingupwiththeFARE (Football League, as part of the FARE Action Weeks. UEFA the UEFA ChampionsLeagueandUEFA Europa 40 matches across Europe on matchday three of sage willbedelivered loudandclearatall UEFA resolution Public awareness ootball s FARE ActionWeeks highlighttheresolution A NotoRacismpennantwillalsobepassed The NotoRacismmessagewillbethefocus As part of UEFA’s Respect campaign, this mes- a ys NOto racism

revised itsdisciplinary each gameonmatchdaythree. UEFA hasalso make uptheresolution willbebroadcast before iour. Avideoshowcasingthe11pointsthat and imposestrictersanctionsonracistbehav- their efforts toeradicateracismfrom football UEFA’s memberassociationspledgedtostep up low #notoracism. awareness.” important intermsof this campaign.Thisisvery have encouragedusandactivelyparticipatedin sive howmanystars,bothplayersandofficials, ning Secretary GianniInfantinosaid.“Sincethebegin- racism, ofsayingNotoRacism,”UEFA General that enoughisenough,ofzerotoleranceagainst European game. message thatracismwillnotbetoleratedinthe porters participatedinracistacts,reinforcing the Europa Leaguequalifyingmatcheswhosesup- clubs inUEFA Champions LeagueandUEFA plinary Bodyhasannouncedsanctionsagainst behaviour. tial stadiumclosures iffansengageinsuch official foundguiltyofracistconduct;andpoten- a ten-matchsuspensiononanyplayerorteam games ifracistincidentsoccur;theimpositionof to referees tostop,suspendorevenabandon united againstracism–includesencouragement tougher penaltiesagainstracism. For more informationvisitUEFA.org andfol- “It wasimportanttosendoutaclearmessage Already thisseason,UEFA’s Control andDisci- The resolution –entitledEuropean football of ourfight againstracism,itwasimpres- l

regulations to

include

Getty Images

UEFA Route de Genève 46 CH-1260 Nyon 2 Switzerland Tel. +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 UEFA.com [email protected]

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL