No.111 – 09/2011 UEFA Best Player in Europe 2 010/11

UEFADirect111E.indd 1 16.09.11 11:34 2 Sur In this issue

UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 4 le

The draw for the group stage of the UEFA Sportsfi Champions League was the occasion to present with the new UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for his performances last season.

FC Barcelona lift UEFA Super Cup 7 Another trophy for the Catalan club, who beat FC Porto in the UEFA Super Cup in . le Sportsfi le UEFA Europa League group stage draw results 8 Sportsfi The group stage draw in Monaco split 48 participating teams into 12 groups for the third season of the UEFA Europa League.

Nearly €70 million for youth development 10 Part of the UEFA Champions League revenue is shared among the top division clubs

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL which did not participate in the competition, le for them to invest in youth development. Offi cial publication of the Sportsfi Union des associations européennes de football

Chief editor : Elite Club Coaches Forum in 11 UEFA André Vieli Produced by : The annual get-together for elite club coaches Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland once again resulted in a valuable exchange Printing : of opinions and experiences. Artgraphic Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson Editorial deadline : 14 September 2011 News from member associations 17 The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the offi cial views of UEFA. The reproduction of articles published in UEFA·direct is authorised, provided the source is indicated. Supplements UEFA Route de Genève 46 The UEFA Champions League Technical Report CH-1260 Nyon 2010/11 analyses European club football’s fl agship competition. Tel. +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 The European Under-21 and Under-19 Championship www.UEFA.com technical reports provide technical analyses uefadirect@.ch of these two competitions’ fi nal rounds, played in Denmark and Romania respectively.

Cover

Photo: AFP

UEFADirect111E.indd 2 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES SurtitreEditorial 3

Home-grown

inspiration UEFA

s reported in the last UEFA·direct, Spain have added Overall, and contrary to popular wisdom, the highest Ato their long list of honours by winning this year’s ranking clubs are those that use the greatest proportion European U19 and U21 championships and success- of club-trained players, showing that player development fully defending their women’s U17 crown. and performance are far from incompatible. This can only be a good thing and is all the more reason for us to These results are proof, if any were needed, of the step up our efforts to safeguard the entire quality chain true strength of the Spanish player development system, that leads from training centres to top competition. which is bearing the fruit of years of concerted efforts. They also echo a UEFA policy that I hold particularly We can but hope, too, that this example encourages dear, namely the local training of players. other clubs to follow the same path, helping European football to retain its identity and extend its strong roots so According to the latest report on the European foot- that it can continue to play its socio-educational role to ball labour market, published by the Football Observa- the full. tory at the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), which looks at the continent’s fi ve big leagues (, , , Italy and Spain), Spanish clubs fi eld Gianni Infantino the greatest percentage of club-trained players, at an UEFA General Secretary average of almost one in four. Extending this analysis to all the players on their books, almost 30% are graduates of the clubs’ own academies (the second highest per- centage among the big fi ve, behind France).

It is therefore no surprise to see that Spain is the coun- try best represented in this season’s UEFA Champions League, with 81 Spanish players competing, just ahead of France’s 78.

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 3 20.09.11 13:31 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 4 UEFA Champions League 2011-12 Award for Lionel Messi

The draw ceremony for the group stage of the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League, held in the Salle des Princes at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on the evening of 25 August, was followed by another ceremony, at which the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for last season was presented.

his trophy, born out of an initiative by the UEFA presi- member associations, had already shortlisted three can- Tdent, , replaces the awards presented didates – Hernandez, Lionel Messi (both of FC Bar- by UEFA in previous years, from which it differs in terms celona) and (Real CF) – for a of both its character – as a single award – and the way second round of voting, which was held live in Monaco its winner is chosen. Whereas in recent years the panel in the form of an electronic vote. The trophy, a silver bust was composedcomposed ofof ththee coaccoacheshes ooff ththee cclubslubs ththatat hhadad engravede with the UEFA logo, was presented to Lionel qualifiqualifi ed forfor the UEFA ChamChampionspions League round ooff 16, Messi,M who won considerably more votes than his team- thisthis yearyear the season’s best playerplayer inin matem and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo. EuropeEurope was selected byby sportssports journalistsjournalists in the tradition of thethe UnitedU against fraud oldold EuropeanEuropean Footballer of thethe Although the list of group stage participants in the YearYear award. In order to high-high- 2011/122 UEFA Champions League was completed on lightlight the connection, a numbernumber thet two evenings prior to the draw, the UEFA Emergency ofof former winners of the origi-origi- Panel,P composed of the UEFA president and four mem- nalnal trophytrophy [Sir BobbyBobby bersb of the Executive Committee, had to make a change Charlton (1966),(1966), LuisLuis tot the list of automatic qualifi ers, replacing Turkish cham- FigoFigo (2000), Ruud Gul-Gul- pionsp Fenerbahçe SK with runners-up Trabzonspor AS. litlit (1987)(1987) and LotharLothar TheT Turkish Football Association had withdrawn Fener- MatthäusMatthäus (1990)](1990)] werewere bahçeb SK from its list of representatives in the UEFA com- inin attendance, lending petitionsp because the club had been implicated in a supportsupport to the UEFAUEFA match-fim xing case. “A move that shows that we are all generalgeneral secretary,secretary, unitedu in the fi ght against fraud,” in the words of the Gianni Infantino,Infantino, UEFAU general secretary, Gianni Infantino, who pointed andand thethe UEUEFAFA outo that the new season also marked the start of the ap- competitionscompetitions di-di- plicationp of UEFA’s fi nancial fair play criteria. rector, GiorgioGiorgigiio Marchetti, ddur-durduurr- EighteenE associations represented ing the drawdradraw.rawraaw.awaw.w. As in the past two seasons, 18 national associations This neweww trotrttrophytroprophroproophyophphyhyy iiss area represented in the UEFA Champions League. Eng- awardeddeddededd inin parpartnpartppapartner-partnerartnartneartnert - landl and Spain have the maximum 4 clubs, Germany, shipipp withwwitwiithithh EuropeanEuEEurr FranceF and Italy have 3 each, Portugal and have SportsSpoSpportsporportortsortstss MMediaMedMeed (ESM).(ESM). 2 representatives and 11 other national associations TheThThee 535 journalists onon eache have 1 participating club. Since all these associa- thetht panel, each repre-repre- tionst have previously entered clubs in the Champions sentinsentingg one ooff UEFA’s The award The UEFA Best Player in Europe Award is made of silver, stands on a Corian base and weighs 8kg. De- signed by the Portuguese agency Brandia Central Lionel Messi was the jury’s and made by John Nix in England, it takes the form

Empics Sport clear favourite of a player’s shirt engraved with the UEFA logo. As players nowadays sport their names on the back of their shirts, it was only logical to engrave the winner’s name on the back of the award. Clearly this would not have been possible in the short interval between the jury voting and the UEFA president pre- senting the award, so a sticker was used for the cere- mony and the engraver set to work afterwards. e l le ortsfi ortsfi p Sportsfi

UEFADirect111E.indd 4 16.09.11 10:24 UEFADirect111E.indd 5 These fi ve newcomersbringthetotalnumberofclubs club FCViktoria PlzenandTurkey’s Trabzonspor AS. They arejoinedbyRomania’s FCOtelulGalati,Czech 1970 andSSCNapoliwontheUEFA Cupin1989. ter City FC lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in these havepreviouslywonEuropeantrophies:Manches- their debutinthisseason’s ChampionsLeague.Two of Five newclubs have qualifi ed (twice). while FC BATE Borisov is the only club from Belarus to Cyprus hasbeenrepresented(bytwoclubsintotal), Greece (21/3)andTurkey (17/5). many (39/9),France(36/9),theNetherlands(23/7), tween 11clubs),England(48/8),Italy(46/8),Ger- Spain(49placesintotal,sharedbe- one participant: remains 31.Eightassociations have alwayshadatleast the groupstagewasexpandedto32clubsin1999 League, thenumberofassociationsrepresentedsince ● ● ● ● ● ● 2012 calendar As far as the clubs are concerned, fiAs far as the clubs are concerned, ve are making At theotherendofscale,thisisonlythirdtime

3/4 April (return legs) 3/4 April(return Quarter-fi Semi-fi and 24/25 April (return legs) and 24/25April(return Quarter- andsemi-fi Quarter- Round of16draw:December2011 Final: 19MayinMunich 6/7 and 13/14 March (return legs) 6/7 and13/14March(return (fi Round of16:14/15and21/22February nals: nals:27/28March(fi 17/18 April(fi nal draws: 16March nal rst legs) legs) rst rst legs); legs); rst rst legs); legs); rst A cheque forstreet football cation andsocialdevelopment. local organisationsintheeighthostcitiespromotehealth edu- andUkraine.Themainaimoftheprojectis to help Euroschools 2012”projectlinkedtoUEFA EURO2012in street people toovercometheirproblemswiththeaidoffootball. health. In2010alone,ithelpedmorethan600,000 young problems suchascrime,integration,employmentand public world, usesfootball’s popularityandpowertotackle social than 80organisationsfromover50countriesaround the Championship fi nal round. The network, which unites more EUROSCHOOLS projectattachedtotheEuropeanFootball for severalyears,working,amongotherthings,onthe streetfootballworld network, which has been a UEFA partner the traditionalUEFA charitychequewas presented tothe director ofstreetfootballworld Michel PlatinipresentsthecharitychequetoJürgenGriesbeck,managing The Between thedrawandBestPlayerinEuropeAward, footballworld todevelopits“Respectyourhealth– €1 million chequepresentedinMonacowillenable Forum aheadofthedraw des PrincesattheGrimaldi A fullhouseintheSalle UEFA • direct |09.11

Sportsfi le 16.09.11 10:24 Sportsfi le 5 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 6 UEFA Champions League 2011/12

GROUP A GROUP B FC Bayern München Trabzonspor AS Manchester City FC LOSC Lille Métropole SSC Napoli PFC CSKA Moskva Villarreal CF FC Internazionale Milano GROUP C GROUP D

Manchester United FC Olympique Lyonnais le FC 1893 GNK Dinamo Zagreb FC Otelul Galati Real Madrid CF Sportsfi SL Benfi ca AFC Ajax Match dates for these four groups: 14 September, 27 September, that have participated in the UEFA Champions League 18 October, 2 November, 22 November and 7 December. since 1992/93 to 124. The most frequent participant is Manchester United GROUP E GROUP F FC, who are competing for the 17th time and have done Valencia CF Arsenal FC so every year since the 1996/97 season. They are fol- Chelsea FC Olympiacos FC lowed by the two Spanish clubs, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, with 16 appearances apiece, the same KRC Genk Borussia Dortmund number as FC Porto, who return to the competition this GROUP G GROUP H year after a season away, during which they won the FC Zenit St Petersburg FC BATE Borisov UEFA Europa League. Next on the list are FC Bayern FC Porto FC Barcelona München and AC (15), Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC Shakhtar AC Milan FC (13), Olympique Lyonnais (12) and FC Internazionale APOEL FC FC Viktoria Plzen Milano (11). Match dates for these four groups: 13 September, 28 September, Even though these clubs appear so regularly, the face 19 October, 1 November, 23 November and 6 December. of the competition changes signifi cantly from year to The full match calendar is available at year: half of this year’s 32 participating clubs were not UEFA.com/uefachampionsleague involved in the Champions League last season. ●

Prize money unchanged for participants Among the numerous events on the programme of the summer gathering in Monaco, the meeting of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee, like the UEFA Super Cup on the pitch, serves as a link between the two seasons.

he meeting, led by the committee chairman, Michael In addition, each club will receive a share of the market Tvan Praag, included not only a review of last season, but pool, based on the commercial value of their domestic mar- also a look ahead to the new one, and beyond. ket, the number of matches played and their fi nal position in their domestic league table last season. The clubs will Since the new season is the last in a three-year commercial also keep their gate receipts. cycle, there are barely any changes in that respect. Even In addition, each of the 20 clubs that contested the play- € though last season saw a surplus in income of 31 million, offs should receive €2.1 million. which will mean extra prize money for the 2010/11 par- ticipants, the provisional bonus payments for this season ● The Club Competitions Committee also noted the fi nal are the same as those foreseen for 2010/11, i.e.: accounts of the two 2011 club competition fi nals. In the Champions League, in addition to prize money of €9 mil- € ● € 3.9 million for reaching the group stage; lion, winners FC Barcelona received about 4.3 million from the sale of tickets for the London fi nal. The same € ● 550,000 per group match played, regardless of the amount was paid to Manchester United FC on top of the € result, making a total of 3.3 million per club; €5.6 million they received as runners-up. ● € € 800,000 for a win in the group stage and 400,000 In the Europa League, winners FC Porto and runners-up for a draw; SC Braga each received a little more than €1 million from ● €3 million for each club that reaches the round of 16; ticket sales for the match in Dublin. They had already been awarded prize money of €3 million and €2 million respec- ● €3.3 million for each quarter-fi nalist; tively. ● € 4.2 million for each semi-fi nalist; For the UEFA Super Cup, all gate receipts are kept by the ● € 9 million for the winners and €5.6 million for the local organisers. Winners FC Barcelona will, however, re- runners-up. ceive prize money of €2.5 million, and FC Porto €2 million.

UEFADirect111E.indd 6 16.09.11 10:24 UEFA Super Cup 7 Barcelona remain on top

After 1992, 1993 and 2009, FC Barcelona won their fourth UEFA Super Cup at the Stade Louis II in Monaco this summer, adding yet another trophy to their already vast collection.

In the muggy heat of Monaco, the UEFA Atlético lifted the trophy as UEFA Europa League win- Champions League title holders, led by ners, however, this year was the turn of the Champions Josep Guardiola, were given a helping League victors. Since the fi rst ever Super Cup in 1974, hand on the way to their latest victory – the “champions” have run out victorious 18 times, but the albeit unwittingly. That being said, FC Porto trophy has also been lifted 12 times by winners of the started well and were quick to press high Cup Winners’ Cup, 5 times by UEFA Cup winners and in the Barcelona camp, upsetting the Spanish defensive once by Europa League winners, giving the apparent block. And Barcelona, despite occupying the full breadth underdogs an equal tally of 18. This fourth victory for of the pitch, appeared more awkward and demonstrated Barcelona takes the Spanish to nine UEFA Super Cup less fl uid passing than we have come to expect. In addi- wins, with Valencia CF having claimed two, the two tion, the Porto defenders were effective in laying the off- Madrid clubs – Real and Atlético – one apiece, and side trap and their opponents not always concentrated Sevilla FC the other one. enough to avoid it. The next challenge for Barcelona will be the FIFA Club World Cup – being held from 8 to 18 December Hapless pass Given these circumstances, it waswwaas fi ttingt tting thatthat FC Porto had the fi rst chancee of thethee match, but as the minutes wore on, balance was re- stored and doubts were raised about whether the Portuguese would at some point pay the price for invest- ing so much more energy than the Catalans as they generously offered the ball to Lionel Messi, who responded by setting the cat among the pigeons. The Argentine was calmly heading up the pitch to get onside when a hap- less Portuguese back pass left him alone in front of the Porto keeper Helton. The freshly named best player in Europe was not going to pass up this unique opportu-

nity to assert his authority. Getty Images

Accelerations With over half the match remaining, Porto could still in Japan – where the Catalans will be aiming to repeat have equalised, especially during the early stages of the the Champions League, Super Cup and World Cup second half, but Barcelona continued to present a con- triple they achieved in 2009. ● stant threat with their sudden accelerations, in particular on the part of Lionel Messi. And it was the Argentine again who, with a pinpoint chip, gave Cesc Fàbregas 26 August 2011 the opportunity to seal Barcelona’s victory. Stade Louis II, Monaco – 18,048 spectators FC Barcelona v FC Porto 2-0 (1-0) Ninth Spanish success And so the UEFA Super Cup returns to Spain, follow- Goals: Lionel Messi (39’) and Cesc Fàbregas (88’) Referee: Bjorn Kuipers () ing Club Atlético de Madrid’s success last year. While

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 7 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 8 UEFA Europa League 2011/12 Extending its reach Of last season’s fi nal four, only the runners-up, SC Braga, are embarking on this season’s UEFA Europa League campaign. The 2011 title holders, FC Porto, and the two semi-fi nalists, SL Benfi ca and Villarreal CF, have all qualifi ed for the UEFA

Champions League, which goes to show that the AFP gap between the two competitions is not a big one Top goalscorer in last season’s Europa League, Falcao helped by any stretch. the UEFA general secretary, Gianni Infantino, to conduct the draw

The list of teams entering this season’s Tottenham Hotspur FC. A mention also for last year’s fina- Europa League group stage is once list Fulham FC, who are also through after having quali- again packed with big names in Euro- fied for the competition via the fair play rankings, as did pean club football, featuring as it does ’s BK Häcken and ’s FK Aalesunds, both 12 previous UEFA club competition of whom were, however, knocked out in qualifying. winners in the form of Club Atlético de Alongside them are numerous clubs making the UEFA Madrid, RSC Anderlecht, Celtic FC, club competition debut, thereby fulfilling UEFA’s objective Dynamo , S.S. Lazio, Saint-Germain FC, PSV , FC Schalke 04, ŠK Slovan Bratislava, 2011/12 match calendar Sporting Clube de Portugal, FC Steaua Bucuresti and ● Group matches: 15 and 29 September, 20 October, 3 and 30 November and 1, 14 and 15 December ● Draws for the rounds 32 and 16: 16 December GROUPS ● Round of 32: 16 and 23 February 2012 ● Group A Group B Group C Round of 16: 8 and 15 March 2012 ● Draws for the quarter- and semi-fi nals: FC Rubin Kazan FC Vorskla Poltava Legia Warszawa 16 March 2012 PAOK FC Hannover 96 Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC ● Quarter-fi nals: 29 March and 5 April 2012 Tottenham Hotspur FC R. Standard de Liège FC Rapid Bucuresti ● Semi-fi nals: 19 and 26 April 2012 Shamrock Rovers FC FC København PSV Eindhoven ● Final: 9 May 2012, in Group D Group E Group F

FC Vaslui Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC FC Salzburg of extending the competitions’ reach as wide as possible. FC Zürich FC Dynamo Kyiv ŠK Slovan Bratislava In all, 23 national associations are represented this Sporting Clube de Portugal Stoke City FC Athletic Club Bilbao season, with England entering four clubs and Austria, S.S. Lazio Besiktas JK Paris Saint-Germain FC , Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania and Group G Group H Group I Ukraine each entering three. FC Metalist SC Braga Celtic FC On 26 August, in the Salle des Princes at the Grimaldi AZ Club Brugge KV Udinese Calcio Forum in Monaco, the teams were divided into 12 Malmö FF NK Maribor Stade Rennais FC groups of 4 in a draw led by the UEFA general secretary, FK Austria Wien Birmingham City FC Club Atlético de Madrid Gianni Infantino. He was assisted by the ambassador for the 2012 final, former Romanian international Group J Group K Group L Miodrag Belodedici, as well as former FC Porto striker FC Schalke 04 FC Twente AEK Athens FC Fernando Gomes and Colombia’s Falcao, who scored Maccabi Haifa FC Wisła Kraków SK Sturm Graz 17 goals for FC Porto in last season’s Europa League, AEK Larnaca FC Odense BK FC Lokomotiv Moskva thereby setting a new competition record. He received a FC Steaua Bucuresti Fulham FC RSC Anderlecht plaque from the UEFA president in honour of his achieve- ment.

UEFADirect111E.indd 8 16.09.11 10:24 Bonus payments for clubs 9 As in the UEFA Champions League, the clubs will receive the same bonus payments as last season: ● €640,000 as a participation bonus; Meeting the media ● €60,000 for each group match played, i.e. € Every year the club competition draws and Super Cup 360,000 for participating in the group stage; match attract a lot of media attention and the turnout € € ● 140,000 for a win and 70,000 for a draw; this year was even greater than normal, because of the ● €200,000 for qualifying for the round of 32; presentation of the Best Player in Europe Award. ● €300,000 for a making it into the round of 16; ● €400,000 for each quarter-fi nalist team; With so many media representatives travelling to Monaco, it has become customary for the UEFA presi- ● €700,000 for each of the semi-fi nalists; dent to meet them for a rundown of the hottest topics in € € ● 3 million for the winners and 2 million for the European football. runners-up. The clubs will also receive a variable amount that de- pends on the commercial value of their domestic media rights market, their ranking in last season’s domestic championship and their success in the Europa League. Finally, host clubs keep all their gate receipts.

Behind the scenes Professional Football Strategy Council The club competition group stage draws and the UEFA Super Cup match form the backbone of the annual le

Monaco events, but other meetings underline the Sportsfi importance of these few days spent in the principality. Journalists This year was no exception, with the UEFA president got to meet This year, one such meeting was held by the Profes- taking questions on topics such as the implementation the UEFA president, sional Football Strategy Council, on Friday 26 August. It of the fi nancial fair play requirements, the preparations Michel was the second meeting of the year for the council, for UEFA EURO 2012 and the benefi ts of additional as- Platini, and which is formed of representatives of the national asso- sistant referees. He also expressed his concern at the UEFA’s chief ciations, the leagues, the clubs and the players. numerous “red lights” fl ashing in European football, refer- refereeing offi cer, Among the various items on the agenda, the interna- ring, among other things, to considerable fi nancial Pierluigi tional calendar attracted considerable attention from the losses and player strikes over salaries. Collina participants, who were also told about the latest devel- opments in the application of the fi nancial fair play crite- In another session, the media met UEFA’s chief referee- ria and in the fi ght against match fi xing. ing offi cer, , who gave an open and Recent progress in the social dialogue on professional honest explanation of how and by whom referees are football was also presented, and a consensus was found appointed for matches and how UEFA assigns them to on the content of the autonomous agreement aimed at fi ve different categories. He also talked about the fi ve- introducing minimum requirements in player contracts referee system, which he said can take some getting throughout Europe. This agreement must now be ap- used to for the main referee (he is still the only one who proved by the appropriate decision-making bodies on takes decisions, but sometimes on incidents reported to all sides (UEFA, the European Club Association, the As- him by the additional assistants, that he himself could not sociation of European Professional Football Leagues and see). Collina also explained why the position of the FIFPro Division Europe, the European association of na- additional assistant referees had been changed (better tional player trade unions). angle for the main referee) and insisted on the need to protect the players as well as the image of the game.

● At the end of August, the referees in UEFA’s top three categories (elite, elite development and fi rst) got together in Nyon and to prepare for the new season. They received instructions, discussed topics such as teamwork and the offside rule, and underwent fi tness tests. ●

le The meeting of the Professional Football UEFA •direct | 09.11 Sportsfi Strategy Council

UEFADirect111E.indd 9 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 10 Solidarity payments Supporting youth development The UEFA Champions League is clearly the reserve of European club football’s elite, but it maintains a link with the grassroots in the form of solidarity payments: every season part of the revenue generated by the competition is reinvested in clubs’ youth development programmes. The total amount available for redistribution after the 2010/11 season is almost €70 million, which is €2 million more than in 2009/10.

he solidarity payments are made to the clubs via the Amounts paid to leagues/associations with Tleagues (or the association in countries where there is clubs in the group stage (in euros) no national league) and a distinction is made between Play-offs Total the leagues/national associations that were represented in the competition (group stage onwards) and those that England 13 533 944 152 630 13 686 574 were not. Those that were represented each receive a Italy 8 377 827 152 630 8 530 457 Spain 7 766 944 152 630 7 919 574 minimum of €600,000; those that were not receive at Germany 7 331 471 152 630 7 484 101 least €260,000. A certain amount is also earmarked for France 4 363 452 152 630 4 516 082 associations which had one or more clubs in the play-offs. Greece 2 316 99 2 316 993 Amounts paid to leagues/associations without clubs Turkey 2 007 188 2 007 188 in the group stage (in euros) Romania 1 614 477 1 614 477 Russia 1 396 304 152 630 1 548 934 Play-offs Total Scotland 1 503 645 1 503 645 Poland 589 224 589 224 Denmark 1 329 980 152 630 1 482 610 Norway 376 603 152 630 529 233 Netherlands 1 186 859 152 630 1 339 489 Belgium 350 536 152 630 503 166 Portugal 850 873 152 630 1 003 503 Austria 315 534 152 630 468 164 Ukraine 610 883 152 630 763 513 Czech Republic 303 324 152 630 455 954 Israel 600 000 152 630 752 630 Sweden 415 025 415 025 Serbia 600 000 152 630 752 630 Moldova 260 326 152 630 412 956 Republic of 378 936 378 936 Slovakia 600 000 152 630 752 630 Bulgaria 330 910 330 910 Switzerland 600 000 152 630 752 630 Hungary 324 217 324 217 Total 56 590 840 58 727 660 Cyprus 316 076 316 076 Albania 305 223 305 223 Croatia 289 847 289 847 Malta 288 943 288 943 There are strict criteria governing this redistribution Iceland 273 621 273 621 Slovenia 272 753 272 753 to clubs: Finland 272 662 272 662 FYR Macedonia 269 225 269 225 ● The money must be shared equally among the clubcluclclubslububsubbss Belarus 269 045 269 045 in the top division that did not participate in thehee UEFAUUEFUEEFA Bosnia-Herzegovina 269 045 269 045 Champions League play-offs or group stage.e. 267 055 267 055 ● Only clubs with a youth development programmegragrramraamammammm that Azerbaijan 265 427 265 427 meets the requirements of the national clubcluclclububub licensing Georgia 265 427 265 427 Kazakhstan 265 065 265 065 manual accredited by UEFA are eligibleelielligigigigi and the Armenia 263 075 263 075 money they receive must be spentntt onon youth develop- Luxembourg 261 085 261 085 ment programmes and communitynityitytyy pprojects. Estonia 260 597 260 597 ● Payments are made by UEFAA toto thethth national associa- Latvia 260 597 260 597 tions, which are then responsiblepoponononsnsnsinsibsibibbblblelle for transferring the Lithuania 260 597 260 597 money to the leagues (wherewhwheheherereree applicable)aap for distribu- Andorra 260 000 260 000 Faroe Islands 260 000 260 000 tion among the clubs. 260 000 260 000 ● A record must be keptkepepeptptt ofof whichwwhh clubs received how Northern Ireland 260 000 260 000 much. San Marino 260 000 260 000 ● Any request to applyaappppplplyy a differentddiiif distribution system Wales 260 000 260 000 must be submitteditittttteteteedd toto thetthhhee UEFA Club Competitions Total 10 400 000 11 163 150 Committee which,hhihiciicchh, ifif nnenecessary,eeccceeess may forward it to the UEFA Executivetittivivvee CommitteeCCooommmmmmiititttttteteeee for approval. ●

UEFADirect111E.indd 10 16.09.11 10:24 Elite Club Coaches Forum 11 Top coaches meetmmeeet for fascinatingngg meetingmmeeeeeettiinngg In sports such as tennis and Formula One, which takee thtthehhee ffoformormm oof a ‘‘travellingravell ng ccircus’,rc s’ frfriendshipsen are easier to combine with sporting rivalries. But the parameterss ooff football,fofooootball bbasedbased onon meetingmmeeti g oneon oro two different opponents a week, represent a barrier to personal relationships.ss.. TThThishhiiiss iss oonenee of ththehe rereasonsasons whwhyy UUEFA’sEF Elite Club Coaches Forum has become such a popular annual event amongmoonongng tththehhee ccoachesoacches tthemselves.hem elve

his was the 13th,” UEFA’s technical director, AndyAnAndndydy qququartersarteers iinn NNyon)yon) anand iillustrated UEFA’s readiness to “TRoxburgh, said, “and once again it was a fascinat-sccincicinnanataat-t-t- lilistensteen too thehe coachescoaches andan transmit issues to the Executive ing two-day event. The UEFA Champions League finfi nannalistsaalalililisisistsstststs CCoCommitteemmittee wiwithh thehe aiaim of always striving to improve. – Sir and – weree promi-pprproroomomimi-i nent in discussions with their colleagues, which coccoveredovovevverereerererededed SiSimplyimplyy tthehe bebestest a really wide range of topics ranging from tacticsacactctcctictictictiicicscss anaandndnd DDiscDiscussionscusssioons raranged from philosophical issues about management issues to specifi c matters such ass theththee regu-rreregegguggu-u- ththee eenentertainmenttertainm v risk management equations coaches lations or substitutions. Coaching at the top levelleleveveevevevelelelcl canccaanan beb ararere reqrequiredquired to solve when competing at the very highest a lonely existence. So the forum gives theheeec coccoacoachesoaoaacchcchehehheses a lelevel,eveel, to more pragmatic (but equally important) topics chance to share experiences and exchangechachhahhananaangngngeggee idiideideasdeddeaeeass – sucsuchch aas the impact of injuries on European campaigns and, of course, UEFA benefi ts from thehee feedbackffefeeeeeedededbddbdbababacacaackcck theyththeheyy and the quality of playing surfaces. The coaches agreed provide.” Gérard Houllier added: “Th“TheseTheThTTheshehheseseesesee meemmemeetmeetingseeetieetinginingsgs areare that the UEFA Champions League is ‘simply the best’ club fantastic. They’re like an annual refresherrefrefrrefreefefrefrefrffresfreshreeshesesheshhehhereerr coursecoccourouroouourseurrsrsee wherewhwwhehere competition and deserves to be played on top-quality you can absorb different ideas.”s.”.” pitches which help to improve the spectacle offered to the supporters. But before you mention artifi cial turf as a Listen to the coaches solution, the coaches in Nyon expressed concern about Gérard Houllier andddR RRoRoyoyy HoHHodgHodgsHodHodgsonoodgodgsodgdgsgsonsoonn wwere at the forum any generalised move in that direction, considering it not on 31 August and 1 SeptemberSeSepSeptSepteepeptemptepptemptembtetemembembmmberberberri inin NyonNNyoNy as members of the really appropriate for the world’s top club competition. team of observerserersrsssw whwwho hoho proprpprovproviderovroovidvideidedee inpiniinput for UEFA’s technical The coaches also exchanged comments on the evolu- report on thehee UUEUEFUEFAEFEEFAFAA ChampionsCChaChhamampmpiomppionpio League season (which, tion of their own job descriptions over the last couple by the wawayway,ay,ayy,y waswawass offioffificia ciacciallciallyiallyally ‘launched’ during the forum of decades. The coach is now expected to infl uence rather and isssn nnonowoww enclosedeneenclencnclosnclocloseclososedseded ini this publication). The rest of the than dictate, with the result that the ability to communicate lineulinelineupineineuineupneunenneupeupeueupp wawwasass formedformforfoformermedmed by coaches from clubs competing (not only with squad members but also with media and inin theththee UEFAUEFUEUEFAFAA CChChampions League, along with former win- the board of directors) now has greater relevance and nersnerneersrss ofo ttheth competition. The presence of the UEFA presi- consumes a greater percentage of the working week. dent,dentdendedent, Michel Platini, UEFA’s general secretary, Gianni These are just a couple of samples of the many thought- IInfantino, and the competitions’ director, Giorgio Mar- provoking issues to emerge from an intensive, high-profi le chetti, underlined the importance of the event (as did the event which allows the coaches to serve a wide range massive media presence in the lobby of UEFA’s head- of discussion points directly onto UEFA’s table. ●

The Elite Club Coaches Forum UEFA

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 11 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 12 UEFA Centre of Refereeing Excellence Much appreciatedd programme

The fi rst season of the UEFA Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) ended in June.une.

the UEFA Centre of Refereeingefereeing ExcellenceExcellenc Diploma (par- ticipants who do not meet the high standardssta required for the diploma receivee a certifi cate of paparticipation). Feedback from acrossss Europe has beebeen very good, as shown by the commentsnts below.

A referee’s perspective “Before attending the CORERE we had no idea what to expect. We got the programme,e, from which we could see that the course was going to bee intense, but that’s all.a And so we set out for Nyon, full of enthusiasmnthusiasm and feel- ing honoured to be chosen. “We met Jaap Uilenberg at Geneva airportport and we shared a ride to the hotel. We had never beenn in contact with a member of the UEFA Referees Committeeee before and we were pleasantly surprised by his relaxeded and friendly attitude. We got the same positive vibes fromom the coaches throughout the course. Everyone was willingg to David help at all times. Such a good atmosphere was createdd Elleray that it was easy for us to feel safe in our discussions and leads a session even introductory and three consolidation courses our participation. at the Swere held involving referee teams (usually one refe- “The lectures and presentations were of a high level, Colovray ree and two assistant referees) from 52 of UEFA’s interesting and to the point. They concluded with a clear stadium 53 member associations, plus a referee trio and coach message but also contained a healthy level of humour. from Jordan. Organised with the help of UEFA Referees They covered every aspect of the game and presented Committee members David Elleray (England) and Jaap the UEFA guidelines for refereeing international matches. Uilenberg (Netherlands), the courses were attended by We also had superb physical training sessions. We had 158 young referees and assistants identifi ed by their na- the opportunity to practise on the fi eld what we had tional associations as having the potential to become FIFA offi cials in the next few years. They worked with 50 different refereeing, assistant refereeing and fi tness coaches from 40 different countries who also got to de- velop their own coaching skills as part of the programme. In addition, the participants on each of the seven intro- ductory courses had a visit and a presentation on match preparation and analysis from one of UEFA’s elite refe- rees. Speakers included , who refereed the 2010 World Cup fi nal, and and , who took charge of the last two UEFA Europa League fi nals. During this fi rst season, CORE participants monitored almost 100 matches in Swiss and French leagues, receiving very positive feedback from the clubs and leagues alike. By early June, 68 participants had ”graduated” from the fi rst three CORE courses. Their level of performance and willingness to learn was suffi cient to earn them all Video analysis to improve performances

UEFADirect111E.indd 12 16.09.11 10:24 13

learned in the lectures. We were fi lmed in action, which A refereeing coach’s view proved very helpful as we could see and analyse our- “I want to put on record my thanks and appreciation selves using video clips. This is something that had a for the privilege of being a coach on the recent CORE great effect on my perception of myself and my actions. course. I had an excellent time and it was truly an inspir- With every minute of our time organised, all we thought ing experience for the young referees, who really had about was football and refereeing. It would have been their eyes opened about what refereeing (and assistant exhausting if it weren’t for the numerous funny moments refereeing) is all about. that lifted the atmosphere. It was the fi rst time I had worked so intensively on ref- ereeing and it will have a huge impact on my future career as a referee. I also had the opportunity to get to know people from totally different parts of Europe, with different temperaments and different approaches to refereeing and football but with the same passion for the game. The new experi- ence, the acquaintances from all over Europe and the friendships are priceless.

I feel privileged to have Photos: UEFA been part of thisthi story and I hope the programme will continue for years to come.” CORE ”The whole concept of the CORE programme is prob- graduates An assistant referee’s perspective ably the best that UEFA has produced in terms of the “CORE gave me a lot of refereeing knknowledge with long-term future of international refereeing throughout all the group discussions about key situations,situat fi tness the 53 member associations. As someone who has training, practical exercises with football teamstea at the attended a number of UEFA courses and seminars over Colovray sports centre and – for me the most importantim the years, I can safely say this was the best. Two highly partt – analysing situations on video. We can learnlea most skilful course leaders and presenters created a high qual- from our own experience and seeing myself on the video ity team.” in different decision-makingn-making situations defi nitely helpedhelp me, after some group discussions,sions, make a better deci- A nationalna association’s view sion the next time or at least make it in a different way. “You will beb interested to hear that the referee we sent CORE gave me the greatest possible motivation to work to CORE fi nished the 2010/11 season with the highest hard in the future. We had meetings and discussions at average marks of alla our top division referees. His suc- UEFA headquarters with experiencedced course leaders cess is in large part thet result of his CORE participation: and coaches and we were thrilled to be UEFA ambas- not only has he becomebeco a better referee in terms of skill, sadors as match offi cials in the Swiss and French what’s even more importantim is that he is now able to leagues, I have to admit, it felt veryery good. That is why analyse his performancesperform much more thoroughly. He has my next goal is to be on the FIFA list soon. I realise I have progressed in termste of man management, body lan- plenty of work to do, but I am prepared for it! guage, positioning,position protecting the players and the game CORE gave me an opportunityunity to meet referees from and all the other aspects you taught him during the other countries. It was veryy interesting to listen to their CORE course.co We are thrilled to see his rapid progress opinions and learn aboutut their styles of life and theirir and maturitym – you wouldn’t usually expect this from such cultures. We really becamecame friends and I hope to seese aay young referee and on behalf of our FA I voice our full every one of them again.gain. support of the CORE initiative and hope this project will If I should chooseoose only one refereeing word which continue. CORE brings benefi ts to all parties: UEFA, the CORE focussedd on and is consequently in my mind daily national associations and the referees themselves.” it would be ‘concentration’. I’m absolutelyabsoluteolutely certaince that The second CORE season started in August with almost CORE gaveave me the tools to be a betterb assistant now all UEFA member associations sending a new trio of young comparedpared with how I was lastst NNovember.Nove For that I’ll be offi cials to the next round of courses. There are also likely gratefulrateful for my entire life.” to be participants from other confederations. ●

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 13 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 14 UEFA EURO 2012 Four fi nalists confi rmed The EURO 2012 qualifying competition is nearing completion and the matches played at the beginning of September clarifi ed the situation in several groups, confi rming in some cases who would fi nish top and in others who was already out of the running. For those in between, the play-off draw will be held in Krakow on 13 October.

Germany, in Group A, were the fi rst to The following week, world and European champi- secure their place in the fi nal round next ons Spain got their ticket to the fi nals by beating Liech- summer, alongside hosts Poland and tenstein, while Italy did likewise with a win against Ukraine. The match against Austria in the Slovenia. With the likes of Germany, Spain and fi rst weekend of September was their Italy, all of which have lifted the World Cup, the line- eighth win in as many games and guaranteed them top up for Poland and Ukraine is looking very promising spot in the group. indeed. The Netherlands should, in all likelihood, fi nish top of their group, having won all of their fi rst eight matches, Mesut Oezil, and in any case they are guaranteed a place in the fi nal round, if not as group winners then as the best run- and Toni ners-up. And erstwhile world champions England, like- Kroos have wise unbeaten in qualifying, are also in a comfortable good reason position. to celebrate after Germany The fi nal qualifying matches will be played from 7 to beat Austria 11 October. The nine group winners and best runners- to secure their up will qualify directly, while the other eight runners-up place at EURO contest play-offs on 11/12 November (fi rst legs) and 2012 15 November (return legs) to fi nalise the lineup for the

Getty Images fi nal round. ●

FIFA U-20 World Cup

England, Austria and Croatia also represented Europe Silver medals at the U-20 World Cup, held in Columbia from 30 July for Portugal’s U20s to 20 August. England made it to the round of 16, where they lost to Nigeria (1-0), and although the Austrians and Despite taking the lead twice in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Croatians fell in the group stage, their foray onto the ● fi nal in Bogota, in the end Portugal had to settle for silver world stage was an invaluable experience. after extra time against Brazil, who won 3-2 to lift the World Cup for the fi fth time in this age group. European Championship Before the fi nal, Portugal’s defence had been impene- Draw for the fi nal trable. They kept a clean sheet not only in the group stage but also the three knockout matches leading up round to the fi nal, against Guatemala, Argentina and France. On 9 September, in Zagreb, the draw Knocked out in the semi-fi nals and beaten by Mexico was made to divide the 12 teams that in the bronze-medal match, France nevertheless put in have qualifi ed for the next European their best performance yet in the Under-20 competition, Futsal Championship fi nal round into and this despite an unfortunate start against Columbia. four groups, as follows: After fi nishing second in their group, they beat Ecuador Group A: Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania and Nigeria to earn a place in the semi-fi nals, where Group B: Spain, Ukraine, Slovenia they lost to Portugal (2-0). Spain also had their eyes on Group C: Italy, Russia, Turkey a podium place after three straight wins in the group Group D: Portugal, Serbia, Azerbaijan stage. They maintained the momentum in the round of 16, beating South Korea on penalties, but their The tournament will take place from 31 January to 11 hopes were dashed in the quarter-fi nals, where they February 2012 at the Zagreb Arena, where the fi nal will lost a penalty shoot-out, this time against eventual be played, and the Spaladium Arena in Split. The group winners Brazil. winners and runners-up go through to the quarter-fi nals. ●

UEFADirect111E.indd 14 16.09.11 10:24 15

Futsal World Cup UEFA Women’s Champions League Draw for the preliminary round Round of 32 next up At the same time as Europe’s best national futsal teams The 2011/12 UEFA Women’s Champions are preparing for the European Futsal Championship League got under way in August with fi nal round early next year, the continent’s futsal teams the qualifying round, from which eight already have their sights set on another fi nal round: the teams have made it through to the round FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand in November 2012. of 32. Seven places at the world cup have been reserved A draw made in Nyon on 23 August produced the for Europe, for which 41 UEFA member associations following ties, which will be played on 28/29 Septem- are in the running, 20 of them starting their qualifying ber and 5/6 October: campaign in the preliminary round, for which the fi ve following groups have been formed: • CFF Olimpia Cluj v Olympique Lyonnais • Peamount United v Paris Saint-Germain FC Group A: Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Malta • CSHVSM v SV Neulengbach Group B: Finland, Andorra, Bulgaria, Norway • Apollon Limassol LFC v AC Sparta Praha Group C: Latvia, Cyprus, England, San Marino • PK-35 Vantaa v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid Group D: Greece, Turkey, Albania, Estonia • UPC Tavagnacco v WFC Malmö Group E: FYR Macedonia, France, Montenegro, • WFC Osijek v Göteborg FC Switzerland • City FC v Valur Reykjavík The matches will be played in the form of mini- • BSC Young Boys v Fortuna Hjørring tournaments hosted by the countries highlighted in • Thór/KA v 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam bold from 19 to 23 October. The group winners and • ASA Tel-Aviv FC v ASD Torres CF two best runners-up will go through to the main round, • FC Twente v FC Rossiyanka which will take place from 14 to 18 December. • Bristol Academy WFC v FC Energiya Voronezh • FC Bobruchanka v Arsenal LFC UEFA Futsal Cup • Standard Fémina de Liège v Brøndby IF • Stabæk Football v 1. FFC Frankfurt ● Main round next on the agenda In the UEFA Futsal Cup, the preliminary round fi nished with the seven following Special award for 100-cap internationals teams going through to the main round: Club Futsal Eindhoven, ETO FC Györ, At its meeting in June, the UEFA Executive Committee FC Geneva, FS Ilves Tampere, KMF Leotar decided to commemorate players from UEFA’s 53 Trebinje, AC Omonia and Vegakameratene. member associations who have made 100 or more appearances for their national team. The following six groups have been formed by the draw for the main round, which will take place from 24 September to 2 October: Group 1: MFK Dinamo Moskva, Athina ‘90, FC Litija, Club Futsal Eindhoven Group 2: FC Barcelona, FK Nikars Riga, ETO FC Györ, KMF Leotar Trebinje Group 3: Iberia Tbilisi, Slov-Matic Bratislava, FC Mapid Minsk, FC Geneva Group 4: FK Era-Pack Chrudim, Akademia FC Pniewy, Châtelineau Futsal, Vegakameratene

Group 5: Futsal, City’US Târgu Mures, MNK IFA Split, FS Ilves Tampere Group 6: KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac, Uragan The fi rst awards were made in September at Ivano-Frankovsk, Asa Ben Gurion, AC Omonia EURO 2012 qualifi ers played in the centurions’ Mini-tournament hosts in bold home countries. The list runs to more than 109 The top two from each group go through to the elite names (➔UEFA.com). Pat Jennings, Northern Ire- round from 12 to 20 November, where they will be joined land’s legendary goalkeeper, was among the fi rst by the holders, ASD Città di Montesilvano C/5; 2011 to receive his award, which consists of a commem- ● runners-up Sporting Clube de Portugal; and the last two orative cap and medal. bronze medallists, Kairat Almaty and Araz Naxçivan. ●

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 15 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 16 Girls’ football

football as a means of giving homeless people an op- Azerbaijan’s girls portunity for a new start in life. This year’s tournament was organised in the Champ in Nyon de Mars in Paris and contested by 64 national teams, Azerbaijan’s preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s 48 of them men’s and 16 women’s. The women’s cham- World Cup their country is hosting in 2012 gathered pions were Kenya, who also beat Mexico in their fi nal, pace during a week-long training camp in Switzerland with the same 4-3 scoreline as the men. as guests of UEFA. Matches in the Homeless World Cup are four-a-side he team, coached by former Germany international and each half lasts seven minutes. All games combined, ● TSissy Raith, was based at the UEFA Centre of Football a total of 3,984 goals were scored in Paris. Excellence at the Colovray stadium in Nyon, where they took part in training sessions as well as two matches in which they were edged out 2-1 by Team Vaud before Unite against racism going down 2-0 to a Switzerland side also invited to share the resources available during the week. Anti-racism action week The next action week against racism and all forms of di scri- mination, organised annually by UEFA partner organisation FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe), is being held from 12 to 25 October.

These action weeks are an opportunity to draw atten- tion throughout Europe to the need to stand up against discrimination. Supporter groups, minorities, clubs and other organisations are invited to join in by organising discussion groups, supporter forums, exhibitions and anything else that could help to spread the anti-racism message. ● D. Favre Azerbaijan’s women’s U17s enjoyed their time in Switzerland Fair play

“We enjoyed a fantastic welcome and a great atmos- FIFA and UEFA join forces phere in Nyon,” said Elkhan Mammadov, general secre- tary of the Association of Football Federations of Azer- to promote fair play baijan (AFFA). “We are proud of our women’s football FIFA launched its 15th annual Fair Play Days campaign and have such a specialist coach because we want to in September. show that football can be a long-term career and that you can not only be a good player but then a coach, UEFA helped to promote the campaign, which runs referee and so on. These sessions open their eyes to along the same lines as its own Respect campaign, those opportunities.” which was set up in 2008. As a result, fair play and “I think that these girls and the federation have started respect were the underlying themes at the UEFA EURO to pave the way for all European associations in the de- 2012 and Under-21 championship qualifi ers played velopment of women’s football,” said UEFA’s general last month. ● secretary, Gianni Infantino. “When you see the smiles on the faces of the players, you know that you are on the right track.” ● Safety and security Security conference in Vienna Homeless World Cup The tenth joint UEFA-EU security conference was held in Scotland win Homeless Vienna on 8 September. World Cup The aim of the event is to share experience and best practice with the aim of maximising safety and security at The ninth Homeless World Cup was held in Paris from 21 to football matches. It is attended by representatives of police 28 August and won by Scotland, who were crowned cham- forces and government agencies from across Europe, pions after beating Mexico 4-3 in the fi nal. UEFA security officers, the security officers of national First organised in 1993 and supported by UEFA, the associations and clubs involved in UEFA competitions, and aim of the competition is to combat exclusion by using representatives of national football information points. ●

UEFADirect111E.indd 16 16.09.11 10:24 Azerbaijan 17 www.affa.az

New sponsor valuable contribution to the development for Azeri football of football in Azerbaijan. Our cooperation AFFA will cover the U13 league and the school The AFFA general secretary, Elkhan Mammadov A fi ve-year cooperation contract worth kids cup projects. These projects are ideal (left), shakes hands with Lisani Atasayan, $1,075,000 for the development of chil- opportunities for boys and girls to learn new general manager of the AFFA’s new sponsor dren’s football was signed by the Associa- football skills and develop as players.” tion of Football Federations of Azerbaijan After the signing of the contract, those I would like to thank everyone involved in (AFFA) and Coca-Cola Bottlers Ltd on 22 June present watched a video of the U13 league making this wonderful partnership happen.” at the AFFA’s headquarters. and school kids cup. After the contract had been signed, Elkhan The AFFA’s general secretary, Elkhan This was followed by a few words from Mammadov presented a national team shirt Mammadov, said: “The AFFA’s activities aimed Lisani Atasayan, general manager of Coca- to the representative of Coca-Cola Bottlers at developing football and, in particular, Cola Bottlers Ltd, who said: “I am very hon- Ltd. In return, Lisani Atasayan presented the children’s football in Azerbaijan, as well oured and privileged to sign this important AFFA general secretary with a special gift as at developing infrastructure, have yielded contract in support of the Under-13 league from his company. good results. We are pleased that our ac- and school kids cup. We are very happy to In 2009/10 and 2010/11, the AFFA cre- tivities have attracted the attention of pres- be part of Azerbaijan football and to be help- ated U13, U14, U15, U17 and girls‘ U16 tigious companies, and that they are co- ing develop future football stars in Azerbai- leagues, and plans to introduce boys’ U11 operating with us in these activities. I hope jan. Supporting a healthy lifestyle has always and U16 leagues next season. that this new contract signed will make a been one of the priorities of our company. ● Ulviyya Najafova

Belarus www.bff.by www.nfsbih.ba

Belarusian football celebrates its centenary Futsal success for KMF Leotar On 20 August, Belarusian football cel- Futsal team KMF Leotar Trebinje made a expense of FC Sheriff from Moldova (1-0, ebrated its 100th anniversary. A number successful debut appearance in the prelimi- 0-0), and FK , at the expense of events took place in Gomel, the city where nary round of the UEFA Futsal Cup, emerg- of Örebro SK from Sweden (0-0, 2-0). Unfor- the fi rst match and the fi rst organised tourna- ing as winners of Group C from the tourna- tunately, neither club made it past the third ment in the territory of Belarus were played. ment staged on home ground at the Mitar qualifying round, with FK Sarajevo being Member associations The leaders of the Football Federation Mrdic’ hall in Trebinje. Having won all three knocked out by SK Slavia Praha (0-5, 0-2) of Belarus (BFF) and of the regional federa- of their matches, fi rst against Falcao FC and Željeznicˇar by Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC tion took part in the celebrations together Stockholm (10-0), then against FC Encamp (0-2, 6-0). with local dignitaries. from Andorra (8-4) and, fi nally, against In preparation for the qualifi ers for the SC Tornado Chisinau from Moldova (6-3). 2011/12 European Under-17 and Under-19 In main round, Leotar will play in Group 2 Championships, our teams travelled to Skopje in Latvia against the Latvian domestic cham- for two friendly matches each against The pions, FK Nikars Riga; FC Barcelona; and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. the Hungary champions, ETO FC Györ. Our Under-21 team have also been in action, Leotar is only Bosnian club to boast cham- in a friendly against Montenegro in Niksic, pions in two categories, FK Leotar having which they lost 3-1. won the fi rst championship Our women’s national team played two including the whole territory of Bosnia and friendly matches against Croatia, who won Herzegovina in 2002/03. the match in Gracanica 4-1 but were held BFF Meanwhile, in women’s football, WFC to a 1-1 draw by our team in Zupanja in The winners of the rural schools tournament SFK 2000 Sarajevo did well in the quali- Croatia. fying round for the 2011/12 UEFA Wom- Finally, the senior men’s national team, The celebrations began with an award en’s Champions League, but not quite well under coach Safet Sušic’, prepared for their ceremony for the winners of the tournament enough to continue into the next round. As last EURO 2012 qualifi ers with a goalless for schools in rural areas. The teams that fi n- hosts of Group 4, they fi nished in second friendly against Greece at the Asim Ferha- ished fi rst, second and third received balls, place, behind CFF Olimpia Cluj of Romania. tovic’ Hase stadium in Kosevo. certifi cates and other presents. SFK 2000 Sarajevo’s match at the ● Fuad Krvavac After that, there was a ceremony for the stadium against the eventual group winners veterans of Gomel football. Warm words was, in fact, the decisive match, from which in praise of those who created the history of Olimpia Cluj ran out as 3-1 winners. In their Belarusian football were spoken by the fi rst other two matches, SFK 2000 Sarajevo vice-president of the BFF, Serfey Safaryan; faired better, beating Atasehir Belediyespor the BFF honorary president, Gennady Nevy- from Turkey 4-1 and FK Gintra Universitetas glas; and the president of the Minsk football from Lithuania 2-1. federation, Mikhail Vergeenko. In the UEFA Champions League qualify- Then a football festival for children aged ing round, our clubs did not have much suc- from 6 to 10 took place, in which two del- cess. Champions FK Borac Banja Luka lost egations from Russia also participated. the fi rst leg of their second qualifying round The festivities were crowned by a football match 5-1 away to Maccabi Haifa FC but match between the veterans of Gomel foot- managed to win the return leg in Banja ball and grassroots football ambassadors. Luka 3-2. It was an exciting match, which ended on Some of our representatives in the UEFA a 5-4 scoreline in favour of the hosts. The Europa League have done better, however, match commentator was a famous Belaru- despite NK Široki Brijeg losing both legs sian journalist, Vladimir Novitsky. of their tie in the fi rst qualifying round The festivities continue in September with against Olimpija Ljubljana (0-0 at home at a week of grassroots football and offi cial the Pecari stadium and 3-0 in Ljubljana). Krvavac F. celebrations with guests from UEFA, FIFA Two clubs from Sarajevo made it into the sec- SFK 2000 Sarajevo regain possession and other associations. ● Yulia Zenkovich ond qualifying round, FK Željeznicˇar, at the in spectacular fashion

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 17 16.09.11 11:03 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 18 England www.thefa.com

Japanese FA visit Wembley of football development; Japanese ambassador Keiichi Hayashi; and and receive trophy England legend Sir Bobby Charlton. to mark their 90th year Football has become increasingly popular in recent years in Japan. The On 23 August, The FA’s chairman, David country co-hosted the FIFA World Bernstein, presented his Japanese counterpart, Cup with South Korea in 2002, has Junji Ogura, with a replica of a trophy originally a fl ourishing professional league given to the Japan Football Association (JFA) by (the J-League) and its senior women’s The FA in 1919. The event, which took place at team lifted the FIFA Women’s World the national stadium in Wembley, is part of a Cup in Germany last month. year-long celebration organised by the JFA to “The Japanese are very serious mark their 90th year. competition in every tournament these The Japanese FA silver cup was originally The FA days. They love football,” said Sir given to the association as a token of friend- Sir Bobby Charlton presents the cup to the president of the Bobby Charlton, member of the 1966 ship and led to the formal founding of the as- Japan FA, Junji Ogura, alongside ambassador Keiichi Hayashi World Cup winning England team sociation in 1921. The trophy was taken by the §and the chairman of The FA, David Bernstein and one of Manchester United’s most Japanese government during World War II and famous players. disappeared. it also began the KIZUNA – a long-standing and Thanking Mr Bernstein for the trophy, Junji David Bernstein said: “It is a great honour for rewarding relationship and bond – between our Ogura said: “I believe this cup represents a me to welcome my friend Junji Ogura, president two associations. We look forward to contin- strong tie and friendship between our two as- of the Japan Football Association, and his col- ued friendship with the JFA both on and off the sociations and will play an important role in the leagues to to present him pitch.” development of football in Japan, and I would with a replica trophy of the cup originally given The small ceremony at Wembley Stadium was like to express my deepest appreciation to to the JFA in 1919. also attended by the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP, Mr Bernstein and all the people in The FA.” “Not only did the original trophy trigger the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media establishment of the Japan Football Association, and Sport; Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA’s director ● Deryn Wright

Estonia www.jalgpall.ee

New bank card to assist clubs important step, including as a way of activat- Like the EJL in sport, LHV aims to be the fi rst ing supporters of clubs and communities,” said and best new generation bank in Estonia. Both The Estonian Football Association (EJL) and Aivar Pohlak, president of the EJL. “I thank LHV organisations share important values such as a LHV bank have launched a unique new initiative bank for sharing our vision and I believe that, personal approach and direct communication. which allows supporters of all Estonian clubs to together, we can develop both the football and raise funds for their favourite team. banking culture of Estonia.” ● Mihkel Uiboleht From every payment made with the new LHV football card, a certain percentage of the trans- action will be donated to the club of the card- Germany holder’s choice or in favour of the Estonian na- tional team. LHV bank will automatically match www.dfb.de each donation as its own contribution. At the end of the year, the bank will transfer hangs up her boots the donations to each club to spend on different projects. Consequently, the club with the most An impressive sporting career is over. Ger- supporters and most card payments will receive many’s most capped women’s player, Birgit the most money. Prinz, has retired from active duty. “Playing Cardholders can choose to support any club football has always been my great passion. But playing in any Estonian championship, mean- now I’d like to concentrate on my personal and ing that amateur, lower division and youth sides professional development,” said the qualifi ed can also receive donations. psychologist, who is also a trained physiothera- In addition, the cardholder gets a discount pist. when buying tickets for Estonian national team With her retirement, an impressive career matches, as well as free admission to all na- comes to an end. The president of the German Football Association (DFB), Theo Zwanziger, paid tribute to the exceptional sportswoman: “Birgit Prinz is an excellent, exceptional sports personality who has given incredible service to women’s football in Germany.” The women’s national team coach, , also praised Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images the woman who has pulled on a Germany shirt Birgit Prinz in action against Nigeria during the 2011 more times than any other: “Birgit Prinz has Women’s World Cup played at the highest level for years on end and done so much for women’s football. She has

EJL played a crucial role in all the national team’s She was the youngest female player ever to The new supporter’s bank card successes. Birgit has had a huge impact on pull on a Germany shirt and the fi rst to make women’s football for many years.” 200 appearances for the women’s national tional youth team matches, discounts from EJL In the course of her long career, the Frankfurt- team, she holds the most titles and scored the partners, and other benefi ts. The card has no born player has won more than 30 international most goals – although these records were never issuing, renewal, closing or safekeeping costs and domestic titles. Her 214 national team ap- the most important thing in her eyes. For her, while all internet banking services are also free pearances resulted, among others, in two World what mattered was the team. To be successful of any service charge. Cup and fi ve European Championship titles, not together was always the goal of this committed “We are always looking for new ways to to mention three Women’s World Player of the team player. help the clubs in Estonia. I see this as a very Year awards. ● Annette Seitz

UEFADirect111E.indd 18 16.09.11 10:24 Hungary 19 www.mlsz.hu

Flórián Albert He delivered an excellent performance at receives national award the 1966 World Cup, where Hungary beat Brazil 3-1. He won a bronze medal at the 1960 The only Hungarian football player to have Olympic Games and 1964 European Football won the France Football Ballon d’Or, back in Championship. 1967, received a top state honour on Hungarian Albert played 537 matches for his club, national day on 20 August. The honour (Magyar Ferencváros, for whom he scored 383 goals Köztársasági Érdemrend Középkeresztje) was and was league’s top scorer three times. He presented to him in front of the parliament by the was also the top scorer in the 1962 World Cup. Hungarian president, Pál Schmitt, with the prime With Ferencváros, he also won the Inter Cities MLSZ minister, Viktor Orbán, also present. Fairs Cup (predecessor of the UEFA Cup) in Flórián Albert honoured by the Hungarian president Flórián Albert, who is celebrating his 70th 1965. The Ferencváros stadium has since been birthday in mid-September, was one of the best named after him. also received awards from the state. The three players Hungary has ever produced. He made After he retired as a player, Albert worked as great players are all respected and valued his debut for the Magyars at the age of 17 and a successful club leader and coach. by the Hungarian Football Federation, who held followed in Ferenc Puskás’ footsteps to become Kálmán Mészöly, another former great, who worthy celebrations for them on the occasion one of the most respected Hungarian players later sat 61 times on the national team bench of their round-number birthdays. of all times. as head coach, and 90-year-old Ferenc Rudas ● Márton Dinnyes

Iceland Liechtenstein www.ksi.is www.lfv.li

Stjarnan crowned new have to say goodbye to the title, being seven women‘s football champions points adrift from Stjarnan with only two games left to play. Stjarnan is the seventh club to win Stjarnan from Gardabaer are Iceland‘s new the Icelandic women’s championship in its 40 women‘s football champions, having secured seasons of existence. On the men’s side, ten the title with two games still left to be played. It is clubs have won the title so far, with the 100th Stjarnan’s fi rst ever title, men’s or women’s, and season still under way. therefore a real breakthrough for this 51-year-old This has been a memorable year for coach club. Gardabaer, where Stjarnan come from, is Thorlakur Arnason. In his fi rst year as a head in the suburbs of Reykjavik with a population coach of Stjarnan women´s team, he landed the of around 10,500. domestic championship title as well as reach- Stjarnan’s men’s team were in the spotlight ing the fi nal four in European Women´s Under last season for their famous and unique goal cel- 17 Championship in his other role, as coach of LFV ebrations, which were something of a hit and, the women’s national Under-17 team. Although ahead of his 100th international with the help of Youtube and other media, gave Iceland fi nished fourth in the fi nal round played the team quite a bit of exposure in the world in Nyon, Switzerland, the competition was 100 caps for Mario Frick of football. Now it is the turn of the women´s highly enjoyable and the experience will help team to step into the spotlight. the players and coaches reach higher goals in One footballer has marked the history of the Valur, women’s champions for the last fi ve the future. Liechtenstein national team like no other: Mario years, are certain to fi nish in second place, but ● Thorvaldur Ingimundarson Frick. The 37-year-old striker, who plays his club football with FC Balzers, made his 100th ap- pearance for the Liechtenstein national team on Israel 10 August in a friendly match against Switzer- land, which the visiting team won 2-1. To date, www.israel-football.org.il since his national team debut on 26 October 1993 – before which Liechtenstein had only First referee training of refereeing the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifi er played four offi cial matches – Frick has only camp abroad between the Netherlands and San Marino. missed 20 internationals. Yariv Teper, head of the Israeli referees as- For his debut in 1993, when he was just For the fi rst time, the Israeli referees associa- sociation, said: “We are proud of the constant 19, Frick pulled on a national team shirt for a

mages tion has sent its top referees abroad for their progress of Israeli referees and will continue to friendly against Estonia, playing the full 90 min- I y

tt pre-season training camp. give them top-notch support so our goal of see- utes and already being hailed in the press the e As part of its drive for consummate profession- ing an Israeli referee in the later stages of the next day as one of the national team’s strongest /G s t alism, the association sent its top 19 referees to Champions League and in the big tournaments assets. There followed a 17-year professional a top-quality facility in Kapfenberg, Austria. – World Cups and EUROs – will materialise.” career, which included spells in Switzerland ongar The camp included lectures on the different ● Michal Grundland and Italy and ended when Frick announced his l/B aspects of refereeing: physiological and men- retirement this summer. He has returned to his

oepse tal, correct nutrition, how to avoid injuries and fi rst club, FC Balzers in Liechtenstein, who play K the right way to prepare for games. Past games in the top Swiss amateur division. were dissected and studied, and the referees Not only does Mario Frick hold the record for were, of course, put through two daily taxing national team appearances, but with 16 goals physical training sessions, supervised by the or- to his name, he is also the undisputed leading ganisation’s trainers, Dr Itzhak Ben Meleh and goalscorer. His fi rst goal for the national team Roni Gotlieb. was the consolation goal in Liechtenstein’s 8-1 Another part of the camp included actual defeat against Romania in 1997. He has also refereeing of pre-season games, some of which scored some important clinchers though, in- involved leading German clubs cluding a goal in Liechtenstein’s very fi rst win, FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC Berlin. against Azerbaijan in 1998, and the decisive Israeli referees have recently been in demand le goal in the 1-0 win in their EURO 2008 qualifi er by UEFA, with Alon Yefet, Menashe Masiah, Liran against Latvia in 2007. Liany, Eli Hacmon and Meir Levy being put in Sportsfi In the current EURO 2012 qualifying compe- charge of games in the different club competitions. Liran Liany refereed matches in this year’s European U17 tition, Mario Frick can still increase his goalscor- Liran Liany was given the prestigious appointment fi nal round in Serbia ing record even further. ● Anton Banzer

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 19 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 20 FYR Macedonia www.ffm.com.mk

John Toshack appointed The president of the FFM, new head coach Haralampie Hadzi-Risteski, presents of the national team John Toshack with a No10 shirt

The Football Federation of The former Yugo- slav Republic of Macedonia held an offi cial has already watched and analysed the press conference to present its new national team’s matches in their EURO 2012 coach, John Toshack, who will lead the na- qualifying campaign. tional team to the end of the UEFA EURO 2012 “Toshack’s arrival here is great

cycle and the qualifi ers for the 2014 World Cup FFM recognition for Macedonian football”, in Brazil. said the president of the football federa- Toshack’s fi rst assignment with the Macedo- tion, Haralampie Hadzi-Risteski, who nian national team was a match against Russia. bition is to get to the World Cup in Brazil, so marked the moment by presenting John Toshack The well-known new coach told reporters I accepted this challenge,” he said. with a No10 national team shirt, Toshack’s old that Balkan football is renowned for great play- During the next 12 months, John Toshack will number. ers and highly technical performances. “My am- review the potential of the national team. He ● Zoran Nikolovski

Malta www.mfa.com.mt

Modernisation of national New installations stadium complex continues to modernise the national stadium Since its inauguration 30 years ago, the Ta’ Qali national stadium, has undergone con- stant modernisation work to keep it in good shape and improve its facilities. Among other improvements, the Millennium Stand has been refurbished, new seats installed throughout the 18,000-capacity stadium, the dressing rooms given a facelift, the facade of the main stand resurfaced, new fencing put up, a moat built in front of the main stand, a synthetic surface laid around the pitch, a doping control centre installed and, recently, a new LED system and bigger electronic scoreboard fi tted. All this has been possible thanks to UEFA’s assistance programmes, which will continue D. Aquilina to benefi t Maltese football, improving facilities not only at the Ta’ Qali complex, at the clubs ments; plus the extension of media conference The adjacent Centenary Stadium has also too. areas, as well as of the stadium’s lounge, bar, undergone modernisation work, while the in- At the main Ta’ Qali stadium, better entry and restaurant and reception area. stallation of fl oodlighting at the nearby training security systems have been installed, including A closed circuit television system is already grounds and the building of a national grass- a new electronic ticketing system; easier access in place, and the bridge giving top offi cials and roots training centre are nearing completion. to all sectors, with new turnstiles at each entry journalists access to the VIP area has been com- point; new media boxes and ancillary improve- pleted. ● Alex Vella

Moldova www.fmf.md

Comrat, Ceadir-Lunga, Dubasari and Bender. all the coaches participated. The practical ses- Open Fun Football School The opening ceremony was attended by Nicolae sions were held at the technical centre in Vadul leaders and coaches seminar Cebotari, general secretary of the FA of Moldova, Iui Voda. in Moldova who addressed the participants. On 5 and 12 August, a demonstration Open The seminar was divided into theoretical and Fun Football School was held in Ratus, where all From 1 to 12 August, the Dacia hotel in Vadul practical parts. The coaches seminar included the coaches involved in the seminar were able to lui Voda was the venue for a seminar for 20 sessions on the role and importance of the observe the organisation of a school at fi rst hand. leaders and 120 coaches from ten Open Fun coach and how to organise football schools. The seminar was organised by the central of- Football Schools (OFFS) in Moldova: Magdaces- The seminar instructors organised a number of fi ce of the CCPA (Cross Cultures Project Asso- ti, Stefan Voda, Cahul, Ocnita, Balti, Vulcanesti, practical training exercises and games in which ciation)/OFFS in Moldova: Scurtul Ghenadie, CCPA/OFFS project coordinator for Moldova; Conusevici Iurie and Svetlana Ceban, coordi- nation assistants; and OFFS instructors George Copusciulu, Vladislav Pocatilo, Iana Pogarevici, Igor Popov, Oleg Molceanov, Natalia Ceban, Vitalie Onica, Viblov Alexandr, Ina and Irina Jeleascova. The OFFS programme is an initia- Leaders tive of the CCPA. of the Open Between 22 and 31 August, Open Fun Foot- Fun Football ball Schools took place in ten cities throughout Schools Moldova. ● Press offi ce FMF

UEFADirect111E.indd 20 16.09.11 10:24 Netherlands 21 www.knvb.nl

New women’s premiership was the disappearance of its most appealing season kicks off competition. The steady growth of women’s football in the Netherlands has now brought The fi fth consecutive season of the total female membership to nearly 125,000, a Vrouwen, the Dutch women’s premiership, got growth of more than 3% over last season. In under way on 2 September in spectacular fash- comparison, male membership of the Dutch FA ion. The three opening matches were kicked off (KNVB) stands at nearly 1.1 million. ADO Den simultaneously by local club icons. Haag, SC , SC Telstar, FC Twente, The logo of the women’s premiership After the regrettable withdrawal of AZ Alkmaar FC , VVV Venlo and FC Zwolle now and Willem II from the league late last season, make up the Eredivisie Vrouwen. FC Twente, 4-1. Paradoxically, two of the Bel- the future of the Eredivisie Vrouwen, which was Only three days prior to the offi cial start gian team’s goals were scored by 18-year-old warmly embraced by six professional clubs in of the season, the women’s national champions Dutch international Lieke Martens, who was the 2007, seemed doubtful. Fortunately however, of Belgium and the Netherlands met in Venlo to leading scorer at the European Women’s Un- the remaining clubs realised that the last thing that contest the BeNe women’s super cup. Standard der-19 Championship fi nal round in 2010. fast-growing girls’ and women’s football needed Femina de Liege beat the Dutch champions, ● Rob de Leede

Northern Ireland Scotland www.irishfa.com www.scottishfa.co.uk

New title sponsor ChrisChris Jackson,Jackso CEO for the Scottish Cup ofof Shared Access,Ac and AlanAlan Snoddy,Snoddy referee William Hill, the UK’s No.1 bookmaker, has developmentdevelopment offi cer signed a seven-fi gure deal with the Scottish FA (SFA) to become the title sponsor of the Scot- tish Cup. The three-year partnership means the famous cup competition will be renamed the William Hill Scottish Cup. Scott Brown, captain of last year’s winning side, Celtic; the SFA president, Campbell Ogilvie; and Kristoph Fahy, William Hill’s group brand and marketing director, conducted the first round draw at the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow, where fans were also able to have their photo taken with the trophy. William Hill, which operates over 300 bet- ting shops in Scotland and a total of 2,364 across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, is already the offi cial betting partner of the Scot- tish Premier League. The Scottish Cup sponsor- ship deal reaffi rms its strong association with Scottish football. The agreement will also allow IFA the bookmaker to showcase its online, mobile and retail products to Scottish football fans the A sponsor for the referees broadband penetration and mobile phone cov- length and breadth of the country. erage through state-of-the-art wireless antennas Stewart Regan, Scottish FA chief executive, The Irish Football Association recently un- housed in the fl oodlights. said: “We are proud to have a leading brand veiled Shared Access as the new sponsor of its ● In other news, Sunday 28 August was the fi rst like William Hill as sponsor of the Scottish Cup referees programme. A leading telecoms infra- day of the On The Ball respect tournament. The for the next three seasons. The new 2011/12 structure provider company, Shared Access will inaugural tournament took place in Lurgan on Scottish Cup begins in just a few weeks’ time sponsor all Irish FA referees throughout our local the Gordon playing fi elds. Organised by com- and with the competition now securing a new game, including all referee education and train- munity member Karol Gallagher with funding sponsor, we can now look forward to another ing courses. support from UnLtd and referees from the Irish exciting season ahead.” The Irish FA’s referee development offi cer, Football Association’s EU Peace III funded Foot- Gareth Davis, chairman of William Hill PLC, , said: “I am delighted to welcome ball For All programme, six teams competed said: “It seems fi tting for the most established Shared Access on board as the new sponsors in short seven-a-side matches. The teams came and biggest bookmaker in Scotland to be at- of the association’s referee programme. This is from Lurgan and surrounding areas and com- tached to the oldest association trophy in world a major boost for refereeing in Northern Ireland prised players aged 14 and over from diverse football and we at William Hill consider it an and it is very pleasing to know that we have a ethnic backgrounds. Using football as a tool for honour to be able to put our name to the Scot- company of this size and stature backing what cultural interaction, 80 players from East Timor, tish Cup.” ● Clare Bodel is a key element of our game.” Poland, Portugal, Brazil, England, Ireland, Chris Jackman, CEO of Shared Access, Northern Ireland, Indonesia, Samoa, and West added: “We are delighted to sponsor the Irish Africa took part. FA’s referee programme at the same time as we On The Ball aims to sustain positive social deepen our links with soccer clubs in Northern integration through sport by providing a safe Ireland. Shared Access will be working with lo- place for intercultural interaction and cultural cal football clubs throughout Northern Ireland exchange as well as good sporting practice. in a mutually benefi cial initiative, providing Through the medium of football, different com- fl oodlight facilities as well as world-class shared munities can come together to appreciate the telecommunications infrastructure.” game and the things they have in common with This sponsorship builds on the association’s each other. The competition is open to men’s existing partnership with Shared Access. By pro- and women’s teams, with the remaining tourna- viding local football clubs throughout Northern ments taking place on 11 September and 25 Ireland with new fl oodlight facilities, Shared Ac- and 9 October. cess will close the telecommunications gap in ● Sueann Harrison/Michael Boyd SFA

Celtic’s captain, Scott Brown, and Kristoph Fahy, representing the Scottish Cup’s new sponsor

UEFADirect111E.indd 21 16.09.11 10:24 EDITORIAL I MEETINGS I COURSES I COMPETITIONS I NEWS I ASSOCIATIONS I NOTICES 22 Sweden www.svenskfotboll.se

Bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup Next year, the Swedish FA will elect a new president to succeed Lars-Åke Lagrell, who is set to retire after 21 successful years. By then, Swedish football will also have set out a new direction for the future. Fotboll 2020 is the col- lective name for 13 project groups, each with The women’s national the responsibility of analysing their own fi eld team get a warm of expertise and proposing means and goals welcome home in for the long-term future of football in Sweden. Gothenburg after The focal points include improving pitch qual- winning bronze at ity, attendance fi gures, internal democracy the Women’s World and grassroots football. Establishing national Cup in Germany futsal and teams is also on the agenda. SvFF The Swedish women’s national team claimed bronze medal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup the highest viewing fi gures of all during the sum- the celebration live on national television. This in Germany and, in the process, a place at the mer months. More than 5,000 fans turned out in is undeniably another major step forward for 2012 Olympic Games. Their semi-fi nal was Gothenburg to welcome the players back home women’s football in Sweden. watched live by 1.8 million TV viewers, one of after the tournament, and TV4 also showed ● Andreas Nilsson

Switzerland www.football.ch

FC Freienbach win Swiss fair play award FC Freienbach from the Zurich region of Swit- zerland have won the national club fair play trophy. The award was created by the accident insur- ance company Suva to promote and reward fair play and reduce injuries. FC Freienbach received the trophy and prize money of CHF 10,000 at a ceremony at the Stade de Suisse on 21 October attended by all the teams that fi nished in the top ten of the fair play rankings, including the runners-up and third-placed club, FC Adligenswil and FC Stans With 16 teams, respectively. FC Freienbach With 24 teams, FC Freienbach, founded in are very active 1965, are one of the biggest football clubs in at youth level Switzerland. In addition to three main teams and a veterans’ side, the club has four women’s and girls’ teams and 16 youth teams. FC Freienbach For many years, the Swiss national team have also trained at FC Freienbach’s Chrummen In its entirety, the top ten in the fair play rank- Etoile Sporting ANF; 8. FC Kirchberg SG; 9. FC ground when preparing for internationals and ings reads as follows: 1. FC Freienbach; 2. Niederweningen; 10. SC Nebikon. staying at the nearby Panorama Resort & Spa FC Adligenswil; 3. FC Stans; 4. FC Obersig- in Feusisberg. genthal; 5. FC Therwil; 6. FC Attiswil; 7. FC ● Pierre Benoit

Turkey www.tff.org

Football villages project and chess, which help their personal develop- celebrates its fi fth year ment. The main aim of the project is to teach the The football villages project run by the Turkish importance of respect and fair play. The project Football Federation (TFF) reached 300,000 chil- is also a great supplier of the Under-15 na- dren in its fi fth year. Sponsored by Ülker, it has tional team and has become a primary source become a key element of the TFF’s grassroots for girls’ national teams. More than 20 play- programme. ers have been selected for the national teams Football villages are special ten-day football through this project. Girls’ camps are also an camps that bring together boys and girls aged important part of the women’s football develop- 12–13 from different parts of the country. This ment strategy. Approximately 14,000 girls start- year, 40 instructors gave 200 hours of coach- ed playing football this year in the TFF’s girls’ ing in fi ve villages. The children who take part football schools, and talented girls from these in these camps not only receive football coach- schools will have the chance to participate in TFF ing but also have special lessons in subjects like future camps. A lot of girls benefi t from the football camps creative drama, nutrition, environment, fair play ● Ceyla Kütükogˇlu

UEFADirect111E.indd 22 16.09.11 10:24 Birthdays, calendar, notices 23 Birthdays Match agents Six match agents have received licences from UEFA to organise matches: wo match delegates are celebra- Antonin Herzog (Czech Republic, 24.10) Benoît Gasser Tting their birthdays in October: Pekka Hämäläinen (Finland, 25.10) GAEM Sarl Roy Cathcart (Northern Ireland is Markku Lehtola (Finland, 26.10) Rue des Aubépines 15, 1950 Sion Switzerland turning 60 on 26 October, after (Scotland, 26.10) +41 (0)79 903 29 60 Silvo Borosak (Slovenia) turns 50 on Perry Gautier (Belgium, 26.10) [email protected] 4 October. UEFA also wishes many Gerard Perry (Republic of Ireland, 27.10) Kolawole Akinlade happy returns to: Levan Paniashvili (Georgia, 28.10) Parkview Sport & Media Ltd 9 Wimpole Street, London W1G 9SR, England Rui Cacador (Portugal, 29.10) +44 (0)7956 439 160 [email protected] Sir Trevor Brooking (England, 2.10) George Fantaros (Cyprus, 29.10) Maria Persson (Sweden, 29.10) Nick Loughran Levent Bicakci (Turkey, 2.10) Sports Management International Andrzej Wach (Poland, 2.10) Gijsbert van Oostveen 19 Barberry, Coulby Newham (Netherlands, 30.10) Middlesbrough TS8 0XG, England Lutz Michael Fröhlich (Germany, 2.10) +44 (0)779 3000 291 Sir David Richards (England, 3.10) Alan McRae (Scotland, 31.10) [email protected] Léon Schelings (Belgium, 3.10) Kurt Zuppinger (Switzerland, 31.10) Thierry Coppi Julius Kvedaras (Lithuania, 3.10) ITALFREIGHT Bât. 3450 Module A Wilfried Heitmann (Germany, 4.10) 4 rue du Tè, BP 16179, Tremblay en France Khennet Tallinger (Sweden, 4.10) 95702 Roissy CDG, France +33 (0)6 59 56 84 55 Frank Coulston (Scotland, 5.10) [email protected] Terje Hauge (Norway, 5.10) Jimmy Nubery Jerzy Engel (Poland, 6.10) JNF Management 18 rue des Huissiers, Jérôme Valcke (France, 6.10) Forthcoming 92200 Neuilly sur Seine, France Faruk Hadzibegik (France, 7.10) +33 (0)6 29 45 85 70 [email protected] Armand Duka (Albania, 7.10) events Paul Shenton Jari Maisonlahti (Finland, 7.10) Beeston Shenton Solicitors Pierre Delaunay (France, 9.10) Meetings 64 King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme Sergey Zuev (Russia, 9.10) ST5 1JB Staffordshire, England 11.10.2011, Nyon +44 (0)781 388 96 73 Ellert B. Schram (Iceland, 10.10) UEFA Futsal Cup: Milovan Nikolic (Slovenia, 10.10) New publications elite round draw Joan Gaspart (Spain, 11.10) The European Football Bo Karlsson (Sweden, 12.10) 13.10.2011, Krakow Yearbook 2011–12 Adrian D. Casha (Malta, 12.10) UEFA EURO 2012: Running to over 1,100 pages, this is an Siegfried Kirschen (Germany, 13.10) play-off draw exhaustive source of information on European Pedro Tomás Marques (Spain, 13.10) football, its international and domestic competitions, George Brian Smith (Scotland, 14.10) 27.10.2011, Nyon its top players and their Dušan Krchnak (Slovakia, 14.10) Youth and Amateur Football Committee achievements. Edited by Mike Hammond, it remains Tom van der Hulst (Netherlands, 15.10) the ultimate reference for Michel Piraux (Belgium, 15.10) Competitions those who wish to know all Wendy Toms (England, 16.10) there is to know about football in Europe (£25 , Konrad Plautz (Austria, 16.10) 5/6.10.2011 www.carltonbooks.co.uk). John Delaney (Republic of Ireland, 16.10) UEFA Women’s Champions League: round of 32 (return legs) Arthur Kinnaird (Netherlands, 17.10) First Lord of Football Mark Arthur (England, 17.10) 18/19.10.2011 In this book, published by CreateSpace, Adonis Procopiou (Cyprus, 17.10) sports historian Andy Mitchell relives the UEFA Champions League: Aivar Pohlak (Estonia, 19.10) extraordinary life of Arthur group matches (matchday 3) Kinnaird (1847–1923), Paul Philipp (Luxembourg, 21.10) football’s fi rst real superstar, Philip Pritchard (Wales, 22.10) who played nine FA Cup 20.10.2011 fi nals before turning to Mircea Sandu (Romania, 22.10) UEFA Europa League: coaching and then football Arie Kenneth Scheiman (Israel, 22.10) administration, serving as group matches (matchday 3) president of The FA for Jan C. Huijbregts (Netherlands, 23.10) 33 years. Well documented, (France, 23.10) 24.09–2.10.2011 this is an invaluable Dragutin Karlo Poljak (Croatia, 23.10) account not only of the early years of football UEFA Futsal Cup: but also of British society at that time Christian Teinturier (France, 24.10) main round (£9.99, www.lordkinnaird.com).

UEFA •direct | 09.11

UEFADirect111E.indd 23 16.09.11 10:24 UEFADirect111E.indd 24 16.09.11 10:24