England Prepares to Host the WOMEN’S EURO 2005 in Life and Violence in Israeli Football

The Football Association’s International Newsletter Issue Twelve Communiqué

Communiqué Issue Twelve

The captains of Maccabi Haifa and • FA delegation co-presents anti-racism conference in Israel Rivals in Maccabi Tel Aviv sign up to the New • Training referees in Mali Israel Fund’s charter to promote • Tribute to the late LEFA President, Thabo Makakole tolerance within Israeli society through football, • Focusing on the media in Trinidad football. The historic signing took place • The AFC addresses media relations partners at a match organised on the eve of a major conference addressing racism • England prepares to host the WOMEN’S EURO 2005 in life and violence in Israeli football. • Q&A with Brendon Batson UEFA United they stand on both sides of the line

The FA delegation of (L-R) Lucy Faulkner, Brendon Batson, Gary Mabbutt and David Davies answer questions from the floor

Eliezer Ya’ari, Executive Director of NIF Israel, Last year’s Premier League runners-up Maccabi Tel Aviv line up with close rivals Maccabi Haifa who are looking for their third consecutive league title described The FA’s visit as, “an important boost for all the organisations involved in At a time when racism had made an travel to Israel combating racism in Israeli football, which “The FA has campaigned with significant unexpected and unwanted reappearance where racist abuse, reflects attitudes throughout society”. David success against racist abuse in the English at England national team games in particularly Davies responded, “We are proud that what game and I have no doubt that sharing their Spain, an FA delegation was on its way between the we have sought to do in England has been experiences will help Israel in some measure to Israel to co-present a conference different ethnic recognised and applauded internationally.” to tackle the particular problems they face.” addressing the issues of racism and groups and most noticeably between Arabs violence in Israeli football. The event in and Jews, is prevalent. For its part, UEFA endorsed the visit. “UEFA Tel Aviv was organised by the Israel FA commends all initiatives that pro-actively and the New Israel Fund, an organisation Israel’s Minister for Education, Culture & address the serious problem of racism in dedicated to promoting tolerance within Sport, Limor Livnat, acknowledged the depth football which threatens the spirit of Fair Play Brendon Batson and Gary Mabbutt call on Israeli society and strengthening the and diversity of the problem in Israeli society Israel’s Minister for Education, Culture and and taints football’s role in society as a whole,” their collective wealth of experience in football to speak on the racism issue country's democracy. and the enormous value that football offers in Sport, Limor Livnat, understands the role said its Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson. football can play in building bridges in society tackling it beyond the parameters of its own England’s steps to tackle racism have sport. She was supported by Itzhak resulted in a significant reduction in incidents Menahem, the Israel FA President, who FA Ethics and Sports Equity Manager, of racism over the last ten years. It was this stressed that, “stamping out racism and Lucy Faulkner, outlined The FA’s Football For reputation that led The FA to be invited to violence from our game is a moral obligation.” All strategy to the 300-strong audience against The fans and coaches of Maccabi Haifa the historical backdrop of the English celebrate a goal in their 3-0 win over experience described by former players Maccabi Tel Aviv Brendon Batson and Gary Mabbutt. They were joined on stage by former Wimbledon The FA’s commitment to combating racism in player Walid Badir, now with Maccabi Haifa, English football involves a wide range of who recently activities. It supports and part-funds the Kick wore the It Out campaign which has been active in captain’s England for over ten years. The FA has also armband for established a nationwide Report Racism the Israel hotline which investigates allegations of racist national team behaviour within the game, has initiated which, as an education and training programmes to raise Arab, was awareness and is working to ensure that all highly ethnic groups are represented in the Lucy Faulkner presents The FA’s Football For All strategy to the conference Walid Badir significant. David Davies (centre) and Israel President, Itzhak Menahem (to his right), hold up the charter signed by both teams before the game structure of football. CAF CONCACAF Trinidad workshop focuses on Referee training in Mali media relations

Whatever your opinion of the media, it is Former England manager Graham Taylor leads a discussion group Thabo Makakole part of all our lives. The final FA- The FA was saddened to hear of the CONCACAF event of the year focused on death of LEFA President Thabo how to work with the media and use it to Makakole in a car accident in November. the best advantage. Fourteen countries from the CONCACAF region attended “Thabo had become a the three-day seminar which was led by good personal friend former England manager Graham Taylor, as well as a friend of the Sunday Telegraph’s football writer The FA through our Patrick Barclay, Chris Mitchell from the work in the UEFA- BBC World Service and FA Media Officer CAF Meridian Nick Barron, co-ordinated by Ben Seeley Project,” said Head of from the International Relations team. International Relations Jane Bateman. “We will remember him as a warm, generous and committed man and have no doubt that he During the visit to the SOS Children’s Village the delegation is greeted with smiles all round will be a great loss to African football.” The FA continued its work in Africa with FA Ambassador, Gary Mabbutt, added his a visit to Bamako, Mali, to train 24 condolences, “It was with great sadness that Senior International Referees from OFC I learned of Thabo’s death. Every time we around Francophone Africa in met you could see that he was a man who association with CAF and Malifoot. was passionate about the game and who was Practising interview techniques through role Vanuatu committed to the development of football, play and exercise was a key element of the FA Head of Referees John Baker, together with not only in Lesotho but throughout Africa.” workshop celebrates regional managers Ian Blanchard and Ray Olivier, ran a three-day seminar focusing on The participants discussed the role of the anniversary advanced techniques, including exercises that media in football and the various approaches help develop referees awareness and control, Youth coaching in CONCACAF Director of Technical FA Regional Manager Ray Olivier puts the to journalism in the Caribbean and in Administration, Richard Braithwaite, and focusing on the importance of fitness. course delegates through their paces, England, using an interactive format addresses the seminar placing firm emphasis on referee fitness Botswana & Lesotho including Question & Answer sessions, The delegates included Tunisian referee practising interview techniques through role paid tribute to The FA’s work, saying, “The Mourad Daami, who has an impressive Whilst the delegates were inspired by the play and exercises in creating and FA has shown it is serious about its record in international competition, and new teaching methods that have been implementing a media strategy. In the closing partnership with CONCACAF and this Mali’s Koman Coulibaly who described the developed in England, according to FA ceremony, FIFA Vice President Jack Warner seminar is vital to help us continue to grow course as, “an important learning experience, International Development Manager the game of football in our region.” These particularly in terms of training techniques Ben Seeley, the course was also, “an words impressed Patrick Barclay who wrote and positioning.” important platform to exchange ideas of the event, “World football is a family - one between top referees from Africa and in which The FA, at last, is fully integrated.” England to help to develop understanding and experience of the international game.” The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) The co-operation agreement between The FA FA Coaches Pete Sturgess and celebrated its 70th Anniversary this and CONCACAF has been in existence for The FA’s stay was rounded off with a return Ted Dale deliver Youth Coaching year. VFF President Johnny Tinsley Lulu only four years but has already received a visit to the SOS Children’s Village which FA courses in Botswana and Lesotho as is seen here receiving a commemorative special CONCACAF Award, collected earlier Chairman Geoff Thompson visited two years part of The FA’s commitment to the plaque from the Acting British High this year by FA Chairman Geoff Thompson at earlier whilst in Mali for the CAN 2002. UEFA-CAF Meridian Project. Commissioner Joel Watson on behalf the Congress in Grenada in May. of The FA. AFC FA News Football United launches to develop England to host Iraq’s grassroots football © AFC2001 WOMEN’S EURO 2005 Media relations England coach Hope Powell at the Final venue England qualify as hosts and will open the tournament on Sunday 5th June at Football For All seminar in Malaysia Manchester City FC’s City of Manchester Stadium. The Final on Sunday The FA held two major conferences in Media Relations were also on the AFC’s 19th June will be held at December, both attracting audiences of agenda earlier this year when FA Media Blackburn Rovers’ some 300 delegates. The second Football For All conference at Bradford Officer Andrin Cooper was invited to speak Ewood Park ground, City revolved around The FA’s at a seminar on this subject in Malaysia. As with Blackpool, Preston commitment to make football available part of the AFC’s Vision Asia project aimed North End and to every sector of the community at developing and improving the football Warrington irrespective of race, religion, age or infrastructure across the continent, the Wolves’ rugby gender. In particular, it promoted seminar addressed such issues as general league stadium The FA’s continuing determination to roles and responsibilities, media operations also hosting fight racism in football, and its at matches and competitions, and dealing games. commitment to provide funding and with broadcasters in an interactive and England will host the WOMEN’S EURO opportunities for all communities. Pic: Mariam Al-Fekaiki, Iraqi Sport Ltd Mariam Al-Fekaiki, Pic: discussion-based format. 2005 this summer from 5th-19th June, The draw will be made on Wednesday 19th September saw the official launch of Subsequently over 1000 the biggest event in UEFA’s football January at the City of Manchester Stadium Football United, a UK Foreign & young players between While each national association had its own calendar this year. Eight teams will and will also include Norway, Denmark, Commonwealth Office initiative aimed the ages of 12 and 17 challenges and geographical, cultural and compete over two weeks to be Finland, Italy and France. at building the foundations of the will receive coaching, financial considerations to consider, the crowned Champions of Europe, development of grassroots football culminating in a participants came away with a firm resolve to including 2003 World Cup finalists For more information, log on to: amongst young people in Iraq through tournament for these age make media relations and operations a Germany and Sweden. www.TheFA.com/Euro2005 training courses and local tournaments. groups in Iraq during the priority issue for their future activities. “The seminar was a very productive first step

Pic: Mariam Al-Fekaiki, Iraqi Sport Ltd Mariam Al-Fekaiki, Pic: Spring of 2005. in creating a more structured and strategic Funded by the FCO Public Diplomacy FA Learning forges business links David James Challenge Fund and project-managed by “Iraqi football at national team level is outlook on media relations,” said Andrin. IraqiSport, four Iraqi coaches completed The enviably strong,” said FA Executive Director “It was also a very valuable learning FA Learning, the educational division of The partnership will deliver a complete Manchester City and England goalkeeper FA’s International Coaching Licence course David Davies. “The performance of the senior experience for me personally in gaining a The FA, has teamed-up with top-ranked portfolio of business education courses with David James, one of the speakers, was asked in England and 35 Iraqi coaches have team in the 2004 Asia Cup and the Olympic totally different perspective on media Cass Business School, London, to the aim of producing the world’s first about the emergence of Asian players, undergone training in Amman, Jordan, by FA Team’s 4th place in the Athens Games were management in this region.” provide world class business education Executive MBA for the football industry. traditionally few in the otherwise culturally coaches Chris Whalley and Colwyn Rowe. both remarkable achievements given the to the football industry. The courses diverse make-up of the English game. “I’m Graduates of the course are expected to difficulties in Iraq at the current time.” delivered by Cass will enjoy exclusive A programme of courses is already planned sure it’s only a matter of time before it return to their respective towns across Iraq FA support and endorsement. for football executives, managers and senior happens,” he said. “It has to, because of and help complete further stages of the “We are pleased to work with the British coaches from all over the world. It will focus ability and talent. I’m aware of three Asian project, including the training of more than Government to help the continued on the crucial business issues confronting lads playing now, so it is starting to happen.” 100 coaching assistants. development of Iraqi football, particularly at the industry and look at how improved youth level, which will be the platform for its business skills will enhance the profitability The other conference, in Manchester, was continued success,” he continued. of the club or association with which they the first to focus on disability. The FA has a are involved. dedicated National Development Manager Foreign Secretary Jack Straw commented, for Disability Football, Jeff Davis, who is “Football is by far the most popular sport in Core areas to be covered in the business driving forward The FA’s much lauded policy Iraq. This [project] is a wonderful education programme will include risk on this issue. “This may be the first opportunity to assist with the development management, marketing, corporate conference we’ve staged,” said Jeff, “But of youth football in Iraq and to lay the governance and business strategy. we’ve already come a long way. I believe foundation for continued and stronger ties we are the world’s leading governing body Sir Trevor Brooking launches the FA-Cass For more information visit: between the British and Iraqi sporting business education programme in this area, and I am proud of our record David Davies with Jack Straw and the Iraqi Ambassador (left) communities.” Andrin Cooper www.TheFA.com/FALearning so far.” Q&A

with Brendon Batson, FA Project Manager

What is the nature of your role at Another area I was asked to look at was The FA? the England selection policy and under what circumstances an eligible player Having left the Professional Footballers’ would not be considered for selection. Association after 18 years’ involvement, I After consultation with the players, the was asked if I would head up a disciplinary England Coach and International review at The FA. The main reason behind Committee members, a selection policy this was that English football had been was agreed upon and accepted by all governed by a rigid disciplinary system parties concerned. It is hoped that there which had literally not changed for years. would never be a situation where a player The procedures were in need of a would be excluded from selection but thorough review - essentially nevertheless it is absolutely right that there modernisation - to ensure that there was is a procedure in place to meet such an greater consistency in the process and its eventuality. How have the new proposals been application. Whilst all the disciplinary received? procedures were subject to review the What particular changes have you focus was on incidents on and around the recommended? The review involved a consultation field of play. process with all the major stakeholders in One of the main issues is the speed in the game prior to the proposals being which the disciplinary process is carried recommended to the FA Disciplinary out. In the past, a player could commit an Committee to go forward for approval by act which may have led to a charge and it the FA Council. This is a one-year pilot would take a period of several weeks for a scheme involving clubs in the FA Premier charge to be brought, several more for it to League, the Football League and the be contested and several more again for a Nationwide Conference National penalty, if any, to be applied. It was simply Division. The new procedures are being too long-winded and, in these modern monitored and there will be a full review times, impractical. Under the new at the end of the season. To date, and regulations there is a fast-track system without being complacent, the new which allows incidents occurring on and system has been well received and has around the field of play, in most cases, to bought a degree of clarity to the be dealt with within four working days. disciplinary process.

International Events Bermuda v Montserrat

DATE VENUE EVENT

January 5 Egypt Technical & Fitness Seminar

January 27-29 Ecuador FA-CONMEBOL Referees Workshop

January 28-30 Malaysia FA Learning training at AFC House Pic: Kevin West Kevin Pic:

February 9 Birmingham England v Holland, Senior Friendly International The team captains exchange gifts and show off the Mitre match ball, one of many kindly donated by Mitre through The FA March 26 Manchester England v N Ireland, WCQ

March 30 Newcastle England v Azerbaijan, WCQ Designed and produced by The Bridge Contact Rob Chappelhow Tel: 01525 288000 Email: [email protected]

The International Relations Team, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA, England. Tel. +44 (0)20 7745 4745, Fax +44 (0)20 7745 5745 For more information on The FA’s international activities, email [email protected] or visit TheFA.com/InternationalRelations