Hope for the Future
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No. 192 No.192 • Q4 2020 No.192 HOPE FOR THE FUTURE EDITORIAL Theodore Theodoridis UEFA general secretary LEARNING LESSONS FROM A UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENT he annals of European football history have been enriched by another momentous chapter. In less than two months, UEFA brought its 2019/20 club competitions to a successful conclusion by organising four T tournaments in four different countries and staging the 2020 UEFA Super Cup match in Budapest. It is a unique achievement for any sports organisation. While none of us is likely to forget such an unprecedented season, we should take a moment to reflect on the achievement and draw lessons for the challenges that lie ahead. The success of the August tournaments can be attributed to several key factors. First and foremost, European football’s unity, solidarity and adaptability – UEFA, clubs, leagues and national associations joined forces in a genuine spirit of cooperation and compromise to draw up the match schedules in a remarkably short space of time. Moreover, the host associations staging the tournaments brought their invaluable organisational expertise to the table; the planning and operational measures put in place were effective and efficient; and the comprehensive health-related provisions and precautions that were necessary fully proved their worth. Last, but certainly not least, the teams and players who graced the field of play gave us much to savour in a series of exciting and dramatic encounters. Fans are the lifeblood of our sport, and it is a great shame that restrictions remain in force limiting the number of spectators at football matches. People’s health and safety is of paramount importance – but we must also recognise that, without fans, football loses something of its character. Consequently, UEFA decided to use the Super Cup match in Budapest as a pilot, allowing the match to be played with a reduced number of spectators – just 25% of the Puskás Aréna’s capacity to facilitate social distancing – in order to study precisely the impact of spectators on the UEFA Return to Play Protocol. To do this safely, we worked closely with the Hungarian government to protect the health of all those attending or participating in the match. We will now evaluate the health impact of the game, before deciding how to proceed further as far as UEFA’s matches are concerned. It is also our fervent hope, following the recent hectic schedule, that a more normal competition rhythm will now carry us through the coming months – while always bearing in mind that things are evolving constantly. One thing is certain, however – our recent experiences and challenges leave us better prepared to adapt and react to any circumstances and situations that may arise. UEFA DIRECT • Q4 2020 – 03 CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE Getty Images Q4 2020 Official publication of the Union of European Football Associations Chief editor: Emmanuel Deconche Deputy chief editor: Dominique Maurer Chief writer: Mark Chaplin Subeditor: Susan Angel External contributors: Graham Turner (pages 26-31) Simon Hart (pages 32-33, 34-35) Translations: UEFA Language Services Production: Touchline Printing: Artgraphic Cavin, CH-1422 Grandson Editorial deadline: 25 September 08 Competitions Cover photo: After an enforced hiatus of nearly six months, the UEFA club competitions Getty Images were eventually able to reach their conclusion. 19 Executive Committee 34 UEFA Grow The UEFA Grow programme starts up a finance management pillar. 24 Development UEFA publishes the results of a study on training facilities and youth investment. 37 News from member associations Printed Matter myclimate.org/01-20-403670 32 Research Grant Programme Rahela Jurković has researched the links between football and refugees in the Balkans. CONTENTS Shutterstock UEFA 26 The Technician 20 Interview For 25 years now, UEFA has published technical reports on its Executive Committee member and competitions based on the conclusions of its technical observers. former footballing great Zbigniew Boniek talks to UEFA Direct. Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images 06 Social responsibility For the UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, 18 UEFA Super Cup football needs to find a different approach In Budapest, Bayern Munich lifted the UEFA Super Cup for the second time. to eliminate systemic racism from the game. UEFA DIRECT • Q4 2020 – 05 ‘A WAKE-UP CALL FOR SOCIETY AND THE WIDER EUROPEAN FOOTBALL COMMUNITY’ UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin explains why encouraging footballers to speak openly about their personal experiences of discrimination is a critical first step in rethinking UEFA’s efforts to eradicate racism from the European game. he year 2020 has seen citizens and the wider European football of local communities in their times of need. around the world mobilise in community. It is a reality that billions of Since March, national associations, T response to two seismic events: fans sometimes pay more attention to clubs and footballers across the continent first, to protect our families and football than to their elected political have raised funds to purchase life-saving communities from the global pandemic, leaders. In times of crisis, such enormous medical equipment, deliver food to the then, to stand up for equal rights and influence and reach bring added elderly and vulnerable, and helped public justice for everyone. responsibility, and I am proud of the way authorities spread critical health messages. It has been a wake-up call, for society European football has rallied to the sides It has been a reminder of football’s power 06 – UEFA DIRECT • Q4 2020 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY to communicate and connect with change without concerted government everyone, regardless of their colour, action through national institutions such gender or beliefs. as schools. Similarly, clubs and players have shown However, this cannot be an excuse to solidarity with society’s outpouring of pain, shirk football’s own responsibility. With 55 anger and sadness following the tragic member associations and an audience of death of George Floyd in the United States. millions, UEFA is well placed to unite and Athletes from a range of sports have coordinate fans, players, clubs, leagues, spoken eloquently of a moment of genuine administrative bodies and the media. potential for governing bodies to rethink To slay the beast of racism, we will all their anti-racism programmes. need to stand and act together. UEFA’s responsibility Understanding how racism UEFA has always recognised its really operates in sport responsibility, both to address any form of As a first step in shaping a sea change in racial bias within European football and UEFA and European football’s approach, take concrete steps to fight the sickening we need to build on footballers’ and fans’ use of racist language against players. recent vocalisation of feelings and Off the pitch, we work hand in hand frustrations long held in check for fear of with non-governmental organisations like a backlash. Not just to encourage an open Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) debate about diversity and representation, – a network that unites fan clubs, players’ but also to genuinely understand how unions, football associations and ethnic racism permeates into different levels minority groups across Europe against of football: from top to bottom, from racism and inequality. This collaboration boardrooms to training grounds for shaped UEFA’s best practice guidelines for young footballers. clubs and national associations on standing It will not be comfortable listening, up to racism, including a ten-point plan of but we will not find a different solution action that remains central to our overall without first identifying what doesn’t work mission to protect football. On the pitch, now. This means encouraging individuals UEFA’s three-step rule gives officials the to keep talking openly about racism in power to halt matches in the event of racist football even when the topic is no longer Getty Images incidents. We have also used, and will headline news. continue to do so, the global visibility of our As a sign of UEFA’s recognition of the competitions to keep delivering our need to listen and learn before building No to Racism message. a new approach, we have invited several well-known players, past and present, Need to act together to talk about their own first-hand However, in the wake of recent events, experiences of racism – both as children it is clear that raising awareness alone is and as professional footballers. not enough. Together with the rest of Personally, I was struck by how early European football, we need to lift our game racism can start to taint a young boy’s or and find a qualitatively different approach young girl’s footballing dream. Each of to eliminate systemic racism from our sport. these players overcame discrimination Even for a governing body such as to achieve their goals, but it left me UEFA, it’s a tough challenge. Racism, wondering how many other potential discrimination – these attitudes are Kalidou Koulibalys or Nadia Nadims lost UEFA rooted in wider society and nothing will their will to overcome stereotypical comments or judgements based on the colour of their skin, their nationality, their ”With 55 member associations and an audience of religion, sexual orientation or gender. millions, UEFA is well-placed to unite and coordinate It’s why many of the players come back fans, players, clubs, leagues, administrative bodies and to the same solution when sharing their personal perspective on where the media. To slay the beast of racism, we will all need our sport should direct more time and to stand and act together.” resources to make a difference: using football’s popularity as a mass participation Aleksander Čeferin sport to educate families, communities, UEFA president coaches and, above all, children. UEFA DIRECT • Q4 2020 – 07 GETTING THE GAME ON UEFA’s club competitions returned in August with more than 40 matches being played across four countries, in four competitions, all within a four-week period.