UEFAdirect-83•E 18.2.2009 9:42 Page 1 3.09 Elections at the UEFA Congress 03 Disciplinary workshop in Nyon 08 Referee courses in Spain 10 No 83 – March 2009 No 58 – Février 2007 83 March UEFAdirect-83•E 18.2.2009 9:42 Page 2 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president New blood and continuity Whatever the outcome of the election at our forthcoming Ordinary Congress in Copenhagen, it is certain that the Executive Committee will see an unprecedented injection of new blood as at least seven new members are voted in. At the same time, it will say goodbye to a number of faithful servants who have devoted many years to keeping our organisation and football in general in good health. These changes are caused by the kind of natural evolution that characterises every society, where one generation passes the baton to the next so it can continue the work that has been started. There will certainly be no shortage of work over the next few years and the Executive Committee, at its January meeting in Nyon, adhered fully to the three priorities that I put to it: financial fair play in the UEFA competitions, the restriction of international transfers of minors and the organisation of EURO 2012. The guidelines for the months ahead have therefore been set out for IN THIS ISSUE both the existing and newly elected Executive Committee members. Clearly, however, I do not want this to limit their freedom of action and thought. On the contrary, Elections at the UEFA I am expecting the new members to bring new impetus to the table, to submit ideas Congress 03 and suggestions, to join our search for appropriate solutions to the problems Technical directors workshop in Paris 07 facing European football and, in particular, to help us successfully address the three aforementioned priorities. Disciplinary workshop in Nyon 08 Dialogue, the exchange of ideas and dynamism are indispensable tools if we are to achieve our objectives, but we also need clearly defined objectives and Referee courses in Benalmadena 10 continuity in our work, which we must pursue without ever losing sight of the goal. This is how our executive body should continue to operate with its new Executive Committee meets in Nyon 12 members, whom I look forward to welcoming when the time comes, as it has done News from member with their predecessors, whom I sincerely thank once again for their contribution associations 15 and commitment in the service of European football. Fondation stone laid for new UEFA building 22 COVER Michel Platini UEFA President In February the national teams were preparing to resume their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaigns. In Seville, Spain lived up to their European title by beating England 2–0. Photo: Getty Images 02 uefadirect 3.09 UEFAdirect-83•E 18.2.2009 9:42 Page 3 Elections at the Copenhagen Congress TwelveTwelve candidatescandidates forfor ninenine seatsseats Copenhagen is the venue for the next ordinary UEFA Congress. hemis.fr/AFP ON 25 MARCH, THE DANISH FOOTBALL UNION (DBU) IS HOSTING meeting, although the most eagerly THE XXXIII ORDINARY UEFA CONGRESS. anticipated part of the proceedings is probably the elections, which will change A founding member of UEFA, the general secretary, Pierre Delaunay, the face of the Executive Committee. the DBU was one of the first associa- and the decisiveness of the president, The terms of office of seven members tions to host a UEFA general meeting. Ebbe Schwartz. are due to expire, including that of Led at the time by a Danish president, A few months after the Mathieu Sprengers, who died in spring Ebbe Schwartz, UEFA held its third resounding success of EURO 2008, last year. Furthermore, as a result of the annual conference in Copenhagen on the current leaders of the national asso- decision to increase the number of 28 June 1957. ciations must be delighted that these Executive Committee members (from The discussions at the 1957 pioneers took such an initiative. As well 14 to 16, including the president), two meeting focused particularly on the as making an enormous contribution additional seats are available, one for a possible creation of a European Nations’ to football’s popularity, the European four-year term and the other for two Cup, an idea that was not supported Championship has become an impor- years (this seat will be filled by the can- by everyone at the time. There were tant financing tool for the national didate elected with the fewest votes). fears that the calendar would become associations, particularly through the overloaded, friendly matches would be HatTrick programme, which is one of Two candidates for re-election abolished or even, in the eyes of Sir the items on the agenda at the Copen- Four current Executive Com- Stanley Rous, the competition could hagen Congress. mittee members are not standing for become too commercial. The competi- As required by the UEFA re-election: vice-president Gerhard tion was not launched until the follow- Statutes, activity reports and financial Mayer-Vorfelder and members Franco ing year, thanks to the persistence of issues will also be covered during the Carraro, Viacheslav Koloskov and 03 UEFAdirect-83•E 18.2.2009 9:42 Page 4 Elections at the UEFA Executive C Per Ravn Omdal. Nine seats are therefore available and will be contested by 12 candi- Ten other candidates stand for election dates. The two current alongside the two current members: members standing for re- election are vice-presidents UEFA-pjwoods.ch Giancarlo Abete Marios N. Lefkaritis and (Italy), Geoffrey Thompson Geoffrey Thompson. born on 26 August 1950, (England), became president of the Italian born on 23 August 1945, Football Federation in April 2007 has been a member of the Execu- after having been vice-president tive Committee since 2000 and and held various other positions vice-president since 2002. He is since 1988, including those of chairman of the National Asso- technical director and head of ciations Committee and con- Italy’s 1998 and 2006 World Cup tributes to the work of numerous delegations. At UEFA, he is first other UEFA bodies. His first UEFA vice-chairman of the National position was on the Control and Associations Committee. UEFA-pjwoods.ch Disciplinary Body, which he joined in 1992. He has also been a FIFA Nodar Akhalkatsi vice-president since 2007 and is a member of various FIFA com- (Georgia), UEFA-pjwoods.ch mittees. born on 14 January Marios N. Lefkaritis Geoffrey Thompson was 1976, has been president of chairman of The Football Asso- the Georgian Football Federa- (Cyprus), ciation (The FA) from 1999 to tion since June 2005, having born on 28 November 1946, 2008. He is currently first vice- held various positions in the joined the UEFA Executive Com- chairman of The FA and chair- Getty Images federation since 1992. He is a mittee in 1996 and became a vice- man of The FA National Sports vice-chairman of the UEFA president in 2007. He is chairman Centre Trust, The FA Youth Trust National Team Competitions of the Finance Committee and has and The FA Benevolent Fund. Meyer/AFP/ Committee and a member of sat on many other UEFA bodies “I have always believed “I have been encouraged the FIFA organising committee since 1992. He is also a member and indeed said many times that to seek election by all the stake- for the 2010 World Cup. of the FIFA Executive Committee football is a power for good. As holders in Italian football, on the “In my opinion, the devel- and other FIFA committees. it embraces so much more than basis that a big federation has a opment of European football Having been president of the 22 players, a ball and a set of duty to share with UEFA and its is only possible by means of a Cyprus Football Association from laws, it is important to see the other member associations the frank exchange of opinions 1991 to 2001, Mr Lefkaritis was larger picture if our football is to structures, human resources, between all its stakeholders. made honorary life president and thrive and survive. Youth devel- skills and experience gathered The specific situation still sits on the association’s board opment, for example, is vastly in its day-to-day management of within western Europe and the and executive committee. important as it is the young peo- the complexities of modern EU is decisive for the whole of “I am seeking re-election ple who will become the fans, football. My entrepreneurial and European football. On the because lots of things have coaches, referees, and indeed parliamentary activities, as well other hand, the specificity of changed very quickly at UEFA over leaders of our future game. It is as the numerous positions I have our sport in the countries of the last two years and I feel that also about harmony, friendship held in the Italian Football Fed- central and eastern Europe is the experience I have gathered and shared visions, combined eration over the last 20 years, also very important. during my previous terms in office with sound commercial manage- have reinforced my philosophy During my sports manage- could be particularly valuable ment and a firm commitment to of dialogue and mediation, in ment career, I have been lucky in this context, to help us to push make those visions a reality. order to bring together the enough to become acquainted forward harmoniously. Bringing hopes, aspirations, diverse forces at work in football, with both perspectives. This is We are also entering a new achievements and problems with a view to achieving broad why I have decided to stand cycle in the HatTrick programme together for discussion through consensus on the most impor- for election to the UEFA Execu- and as chairman of the UEFA our TEP round tables throughout tant matters.