UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.200812:53Page1 No 5871 – FévrierMarch 20082007 In Cyprus Referees for KISS A milestone Association European Club of the Creation in Zagreb Congress UEFA In Cyprus Referees for KISS A milestone Association European Club of the Creation in Zagreb Congress UEFA 3.08 12 11 08 03 12 11 08 03 UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 2

Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president Refound confidence Nothing can be built on false pretences. Half truths and ambiguous words are too shaky a basis on which to construct anything that is supposed to last. For many years, relations between the professional clubs and football’s governing bodies were stagnating in murky water in Europe. On the one hand, the clubs had a role – sometimes an important one – in UEFA bodies. At the same time, those same clubs, which belonged to an exclusive grouping, were quick not only to criticise the international football bodies, but even to take them to court. On the other hand, on the side of the game’s authorities, the principles of the statutes and respect for them, coupled with a vague legal environment, meant denying the obvious and not seizing the problem head on. On the positive side, however, the doors to dialogue always remained open. Gradually, thanks in particular to bodies like the European Club Forum and the Professional Football Strategy Council, intransigence gave way to a desire and deter- IN THIS ISSUE mination to find a compromise. Since certain aspects of the problem went beyond UEFA’s scope, FIFA joined forces with the advocates of dialogue and reconciliation. XXXII UEFA Congress January saw a historic turning point, as well as a logical development, in in Zagreb 03 relations between the football authorities and the clubs – no more wranglings in the Creation of the European civil courts and no more exclusive groupings, but a new European Club Association Club Association 08 which is open and transparent, and, above all, renewed confidence between football’s leaders and one of the game’s principal stakeholders, the clubs. A milestone for the KISS programme 11 And when the confidence is there, all sides know when doubts arise or when opinions differ that they can count on the understanding of the other to remove European referees in Cyprus 12 those doubts and to find mutually acceptable solutions – no more need for controversy via the media, and no more need for lawsuits. Support for EURO 2012 14 Confidence is a major and indispensable part of the unity of the European News from member football family. associations 16

COVER Michel Platini UEFA President The EURO 2008 finalists started preparing in February with a series of friendly matches, including Turkey v Sweden. Photo: Ozer/AFP/Getty Images

02 uefadirect 3.08 UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 3 XXXII UEFA Congress in Zagreb Keeping the associations informed UEFA-pjwoods.ch

ZAGREB, THE CAPITAL OF CROATIA, WAS THE VENUE FOR THE XXXII UEFA And he has a clear goal on the hori- zon: “My vision in this respect is clear. CONGRESS ON 31 JANUARY. AS A LOT HAD HAPPENED SINCE HE WAS ELECTED It envisages, in the medium term, UEFA PRESIDENT A YEAR AGO, MICHEL PLATINI DECIDED THAT THE CONGRESS the signature of a European football charter which defines the rights and WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT ON SOME IMPORTANT TOPICS. duties of everyone, while respecting the statutes in force, of course.” In his own address, Michel randum of understanding with the Platini gave a wide overview of the European Club Association – to men- Emphasis on respect events and achievements that had tion only the most significant moments Throughout his address, the marked his first year in office: amend- of the past year, which also saw an UEFA president stressed the notion of ments to the UEFA Statutes adopted intensification of relations with the respect: “Respect is the new message at an Extraordinary Congress in Zurich European Union authorities. “European that we will try to convey in future in order to strengthen the powers of football is united. It speaks with one through our different competitions, the Executive Committee; an increase single voice. And for the first time, the starting with EURO 2008.” in the number of committees, which European Union is hearing it and, Sharing knowledge and were now chaired by members of the more importantly, listening to it,” the information is another form of respect. Executive Committee; greater repre- president said, highlighting also the “Football is a team game, a passing sentation of the national associations close links between UEFA and FIFA. game. So let’s share,” the president in the committees; creation of the The key to many of these urged. “Don’t be afraid to share, to Professional Football Strategy Council; achievements had been the UEFA pres- learn.” memorandum of understanding with ident’s preferred approach of dialogue Putting his own words into FIFPro Europe; revision of the UEFA and communication: “It is through deeds, a mass of information was Champions League access list and re- dialogue and communication that you shared with the congress delegates. form of the UEFA Cup; and a memo- can make progress, build and grow.” In addition to the information pro-

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Messages After words of welcome from Vlatko Markovic, president of the Croatian Football Federation,

the country’s prime minister, Ivo Vlatko Ivo Sanader, addressed the congress Markovic Sanader on behalf of the new Croatian government, formed last January, one of whose priorities was to join the European Union. “Croatia is a country with a great sporting tradi- vided by the UEFA president himself, from the chairmen themselves. tion,” he said, before expressing how the delegates had received the Although some of the 19 UEFA com- impatient he was for EURO 2008 to detailed written reports of the UEFA mittees have not met yet, most are kick off and for Croatia’s president and Executive Committee, already down to work, and Friedrich first match in the tournament, and of the UEFA administration. The Stickler (Club Competitions), Per Ravn against Austria in Vienna. He also chairman of the Finance Committee, Omdal (Development and Technical highlighted “the usefulness of the UEFA vice-president Marios N. Assistance), Senes Erzik (Fair Play and HatTrick programme, which gives Lefkaritis, commented on the financial Social Responsibility, and Stadium and Croatia the hope of producing report, which presented a satisfactory Security), Grigoriy Surkis (Futsal and more great footballers.” situation. The accounts and the Beach Soccer), Giangiorgio Spiess budget were approved, and a strate- (Legal), Michel D’Hooghe (Medical), gic financial outlook for 2007/08 to Geoffrey Thompson (National Associa- 2012/13 was presented. The dele- tions), Gilberto Madaíl (National Team gates’ attention was drawn to the fact Competitions) and Angel María Villar that the euro will be UEFA’s reporting Llona (Referees) presented brief reports currency in future, instead of the on the tasks and activities of their Swiss franc, a change that has already respective committees. been partially in effect for the current The UEFA first vice-president, season. Senes Erzik, also described the role of the Professional Football Strategy Work of the committees Council and reported on the first Joseph S. Blatter Since the committees now meeting of this body, which brings have a new role in UEFA’s operations, together representatives of the na- Referring to the memorandum it was felt that the congress should tional associations, leagues, clubs and of understanding between UEFA and hear about the committees’ activities players. the European Club Association, the FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter, said: “2008 is a year of consolidation for UEFA and the start of a new era”. He was very happy about the excel- lent cooperation between FIFA and UEFA: “By working together, we have found solutions to facilitate better understanding in the world of inter- national football.” Regarding the relationship be- tween football and society, the FIFA president also revealed that, directly or indirectly, a quarter of the world’s population was involved in football in one way or another. He also looked forward to seeing the representatives of UEFA’s member associations in Sydney for the next FIFA Congress, which, among other matters, would discuss items dealt with by the FIFA Strategic Committee, such as the protection of national identities and the strengthening of the national teams. Before listing the main interna- tional football events this year, he made an appeal, saying: “We don’t talk enough about protecting play- ers’ health!”

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HatTrick – a welcome programme Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, Certificate for the chairman of the HatTrick Committee, presented a positive report on the honorary president HatTrick programme to date. Its Immediately after he was elected UEFA president at the 2007 UEFA investment programme, in particular, Congress in Düsseldorf, Michel Platini proposed that his predecessor, Lennart had initiated projects which would Johansson, be made honorary presi- probably have otherwise remained on dent of UEFA, a proposal which the the drawing board. It had had a mul - congress accepted with a standing tiplier effect on other funding – from ovation. the local authorities primarily, but also In Zagreb, at the start of the from private sponsors. Thanks to the congress, Michel Platini presented programme, training centres, playing Lennart Johansson with his honorary fields and stadiums have been built in president’s certificate. The only the territories of many UEFA member other former UEFA president to hold associations. The HatTrick education this title was Jacques Georges. programme has also proved to be a ■ Three honorary members Lovrovic/AFP highly appreciated initiative, while the of UEFA attended the congress in Zagreb: Hans Bangerter, UEFA General mini-pitch programme – launched to Secretary from 1960 to 1988, his successor Gerhard Aigner, whose position coincide with UEFA’s golden jubilee – changed to that of chief executive of UEFA in 2000, before he retired at the was so popular that grants amounting end of 2003, and Jean Fournet-Fayard, former member of the UEFA Execu- to CHF 49 million of the CHF 52 million tive Committee and a pillar of the Club Competitions Committee. reserved for this project have already been approved. The first cycle of the HatTrick comprise a single investment pro- programme finishes this year, when a gramme (in the first cycle, a distinction Through fine-tuned second cycle begins. It will was made between physical and intel- Croatian eyes It was a great challenge for our federation to host the XXXII UEFA Congress. We wanted to justify in the best possible way the great recognition given to us by the UEFA Executive Commit- tee. We are extremely pleased to have received praise and con- gratulations from the highest ranked UEFA officials and all the congress participants in acknowl- edgment of our complete suc- cess. This congress held in Zagreb contributed even more to the general enthusiasm of the sports community and the public to- wards Croatian football, after the great success of our national team in qualifying for EURO 2008. Our national team has started its preparations with friendly matches in an atmosphere of optimism for successful perfor - mances at this greatest of Euro- pean competitions. Ante Pavlovic Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

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The congress participants in good humour!

On the occasion of the congress, Michel Platini paid tribute to three national association gen- eral secretaries who recently retired after many years of service: from the Scottish Football Association, left to right: seconded by the football associations Teuvo Holopainen of the Republic of Ireland, Latvia and (Finland), Horst Sweden. For the purpose of the study, R. Schmidt (Germany), the Executive Committee had appointed Michel Platini a working group composed of three and Haim Zimmer (Israel). of its members – Gilberto Madaíl, Mathieu Sprengers and Geoffrey Thompson. With the assistance of the lectual investments) into which the mini- the creation of a new, exchange-based, UEFA administration, Euro 2008 SA pitch component will be incorporated technical development programme and an external company, the group (it was treated separately before). The edu - (see page 15). had examined the matter from the cation programme will be expanded, as angles of sporting quality, marketing will the financial assistance programme, Format of European Championship impact and tournament organisation. which is divided into solidarity payments, final rounds At the congress, Gilberto contributions towards the proper imple- Another item on the agenda Madaíl presented the findings so far, mentation of the club licensing system of this congress – which lasted over pointing out, in the first place, that and for taking part in the non-top UEFA four hours – was a status report on the no change in format could be contem- competitions, as well incentives for improv - feasibility study requested by the 2007 plated before EURO 2016. Four options ing technical and management skills. UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf into a had been envisaged, two of which In the technical field, the dele- 24-team European Championship final had been selected for further exam- gates heard from Per Ravn Omdal about round. The proposal had come from ination – a final round involving 24 teams divided into six groups of four, and a final round involving 20 teams Visit to the president divided into four groups of five. The format of the qualifying competition of Croatia had also been taken into consideration by the working group, given that the The UEFA president and the five vice-presidents, accompanied qualifiers also had a major economic by the president and general secretary of FIFA, Joseph S. Blatter and impact on most of the participants. Jérôme Valcke, and by the president and general secretary of the Croatian The pros and cons of these two formats will now be analysed against the Football Federation, Vlatko Markovic and Zorislav Srebric, were benchmark of the current 16-team received in Zagreb by the president of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic. format, and the Executive Committee is due to take a decision at the end of this year. With just over 120 days to go until UEFA EURO 2008 kicks off, the delegates’ appetite was whetted with images of the host cities and a presentation by Friedrich Stickler, presi- dent of the Austrian Football Associa- tion, who, on behalf of the two host nations – Austria and Switzerland – assured everyone that they were ready for the tournament. He also gave an illustration of the massive enthusiasm generated by the competition, saying that the first 300,000 tickets put on sale had attracted tens of millions of applications. He announced that a new website would be launched on 28 February, and that a workshop with the finalists would be taking place on

Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch 12 and 13 March.

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The Congress in pictures Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch 07 UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 19.2.2008 12:15 Page 8

The European Club Forum at its last-ever meeting.

nature. It cannot be claimed that The European Club Forum there was no dialogue between these two bodies, since some clubs belonged gives way to to both. However, the situation appeared to be frustrated to the point of deadlock by sustained complaints the European against FIFA and UEFA taken to the civil courts by the exclusive Brussels- based group of big clubs. The creation of the Profes- sional Football Strategy Council pro- Club vided a valuable tool for breaking the deadlock, and last September, the UEFA president, Michel Platini, was entrusted by the Executive Committee Association with the task of initiating dialogue with the clubs, via the member clubs THE EUROPEAN CLUB FORUM, WHICH WAS CREATED IN AUGUST 2002 AND of the ECF. At its meeting in Lucerne COMPOSED OF MORE THAN 100 OF THE CLUBS INVOLVED IN THE UEFA COMPETITIONS, in December, the Executive Commit- HAS GIVEN WAY TO A NEW BODY, THE EUROPEAN CLUB ASSOCIATION (ECA), tee decided, in view of the positive course of the discussions, to ask the WHICH CAME INTO BEING AT UEFA’S HEADQUARTERS IN NYON ON 21 JANUARY. UEFA president to reach an agreement Before this change came about, and small clubs from different countries; with the clubs. two groupings had existed: the European and, on the other hand, an exclusive, Club Forum (ECF), on the one hand, closed group of big clubs – in principle Declaration of intent created and managed by UEFA and com- members of the ECF – which UEFA With the assistance of FIFA, prising a mix of clubs, including big could not recognise because of its very an important step was taken on 15

A bird’s eye view of the auditorium in the House of European Football.

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All the clubs from the European Club Forum were invited to join the new association.

January in Zurich, when FIFA, UEFA Association Number Board and representatives of a dozen Euro- subdivision of clubs members pean clubs (1) signed a declaration of 1-6 27 5 intent, which reached its logical con- 7-15 27 3 clusion in Nyon a week later, at a ple- 16-26 22 2 nary meeting of the ECF, when 16 27-53 27 1 clubs (2) founded the European Club Association. Compared with the ECF, Each subdivision elects its which came under UEFA’s auspices, representatives at a general meeting. the ECA is an independent association In addition to the 11 elected members, recognised by UEFA as the only body Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, former ECF the board also comprises the four ECA chairman, will take on the role of acting with the authority to defend the chairman of the ECA. representatives elected to the Profes- clubs’ interests at European level. A sional Football Strategy Council by time everyone is a winner,” Karl-Heinz memorandum of understanding was the ECA Board. Until the next general Rummenigge said. signed by UEFA and the ECA in Nyon meeting, due to take place at the end At the UEFA Congress in on 21 January. The ECA will have its of this season, the ECA will be repre- Zagreb, the UEFA president presented own secretariat, headed by a general sented by a transitional board com- the broad lines of the memorandum of secretary. It will comprise 103 clubs posed of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge understanding: “The member clubs of from UEFA’s 53 member associations (FC Bayern München, chairman), Joan this association have promised to call and will hold plenary meetings twice Laporta ( FC Barcelona, vice-chairman), an end to the legal proceedings they a year in principle. Umberto Gandini (AC Milan), Peter have instigated against our bodies and Kenyon (Chelsea FC), Marteen Fontein not to start any more. They have prom- ECA membership (AFC Ajax) and Jean-Michel Aulas ised not to belong to any other asso - As was the practice of the (Olympique Lyonnais). ciation of clubs from more than one ECF, the statutes of the ECA define country. And they have promised to that the number of clubs per associa- Football the winner recognise the value of the national tion represented in the ECA is deter- This return to a state of har- teams and not to organise or take part mined by the national association mony in European football has been in any competition that is not recog- rankings, according to their clubs’ per- greeted on all sides as a victory for nised by either UEFA or FIFA. formance in UEFA competitions, on football. “Normally with agreements “Recognition of the national the following basis: there are winners and losers but this teams, but also of UEFA and FIFA as ➜

Association Number ➜ ranking of clubs 1-3 5 4-6 4 7-15 3 16-26 2 27-53 1

The composition of the ECA will be revised every two years. The clubs themselves are selected accord- ing to the club coefficients, which are calculated on the basis of their results in the UEFA competitions. These coefficients also deter- mine how many representatives each group (subdivision) has on the ECA Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch Signatories to the memorandum of understanding, from left to right: Senes Erzik, Michel Platini, Board, as follows: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Joan Laporta.

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The European Club Forum was a discussion platform valued by all participants. Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

➜the governing bodies of football in Europe and in the world, an end to Discussions the court cases, an end to the threats of closed leagues…” and suggestions As for the clubs: “It works in their favour because FIFA has agreed At its meeting in Nyon on 21 and 22 January, the members of to make certain changes to the inter- the European Club Forum were invited to join the ECA. Although this national match calendar, because the was the key item on the agenda, the ECF also dealt with other matters, clubs who release players for Euro- mainly linked to the UEFA club competitions. pean Championship and World Cup They noted the amendments made to the UEFA club competition finals will share in the profits of these regulations for the 2008/09 season, particularly the increase in the number competitions, and because they can of locally trained players on List A to eight, up to four of whom could be finally feel that they too are a respected association-trained players. This is the last step in the process that began part of the family.” The president made it clear in 2006/07, when the clubs had to list four locally trained players, up to that this share in the profits was in no two of whom could be association-trained. way a form of compensation and that The ECF also received a detailed explanation on the new formats it did not call into question the princi- adopted for the UEFA club competitions for the 2009-12 period (UEFA ple of releasing players for national Champions League access list, groups of four in the UEFA Cup) as well as team duty. “Quite the opposite,” he on the marketing strategy for the same three-year cycle. stressed. “It reinforces and safeguards Faithful to the system it, because the clubs finally recognise used since the ECF was cre- the value of the national teams.” ated, the participants also In figures, this share in the profits amounts to a total of EUR discussed certain items in 43.5 million for EURO 2008 and EUR groups, before comparing 55 million for EURO 2012 (if revenue ideas back in plenary ses- is as high as for EURO 2008). Pay- sion. On the question of the ments to the clubs will be calculated calculation of individual on a per player/per day basis and be Joan Laporta club coefficients, a majority made via the national associations, were in favour of no more who will transfer the relevant amounts than 20% (instead of 33%) to the clubs concerned. In the case of of the national association coefficient coming into the calculation. The EURO 2004, 150 clubs would have benefited. clubs from the smaller associations also asked for the results of qualifying FIFA will put a similar system matches to be taken into account in the club coefficients, as opposed in place for the 2010 and 2014 World to just in the national association rankings, as is presently the case. Cups. The idea of playing first qualifying round matches at the weekend did The memorandum of under- not meet with great enthusiasm, while that of playing first qualifying standing between UEFA and the ECA round matches twice in the same week (Wednesday/Thursday and the is valid until 31 July 2014. weekend) was rejected outright. In the absence of the chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, on (1) Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus, Olympique Lyonnais, Rangers FC, the second day, on account of other commitments, it fell to the first Manchester United FC, Chelsea FC, vice-president, Joan Laporta, to conclude this final meeting of the ECF. FC Bayern München, AFC Ajax, FC Porto, Olympiacos CFP. In his words, “Without the European Club Forum, the European Club (2) Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Association could never have come about.” He also expressed satisfac- Juventus, Olympique Lyonnais, Rangers FC, tion at the atmosphere of mutual trust which would now reign between Manchester United FC, Chelsea FC, FC Bayern München, AFC Ajax, FC Porto, the clubs and UEFA, and called for unity: “Every club has to feel sup- Olympiacos CFP, RSC Anderlecht, Birkirkara FC, ported,” he said. NK Dinamo Zagreb, FC København.

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The e-learning The virtual meeting platform platform helps enables members of working the national communities to sit in front associations to of their computer at home and use the tools and share a presentation, for example. suggestions in their daily work. A friendly atmosphere at the Tel Aviv workshop. Tel Aviv workshop

A critical milestone Oded Karny

in UEFA’s KISS to establish working methods and bonds. In this respect, Tel Aviv is a AS DESCRIBED IN LAST JUNE’S UEFADIRECT (NO 62), THE KISS typical example of how networking (KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION SHARING SCENARIO) PROJECT STRIVES between associations should be shaped. Associations came to the workshop TO ASSIST NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS INCREASE THEIR SKILLS IN with specific case studies demonstrat- VARIOUS MANAGEMENT AREAS INCLUDING EVENT MANAGEMENT, ing where they are now and what they MARKETING, COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA. want to achieve in the future. Experts stemming from the football family In the development of profes- us with tools which make distance (from the associations themselves as sionalism in these areas, the workshop learning or collaborative work at a dis- well as outside specialists and UEFA in Tel Aviv at the beginning of February tance child’s play. KISS has customised experts) were given the task of estab- sets a critical milestone. The idea was two of these tools. First, a tailor-made lishing links between the various asso- for 27 associations to identify a num- online e-learning platform makes it ciations’ challenges and showing how ber of key issues and undertake collec- possible for anyone in any national solutions developed for one could be tive action in response. Associations association to review all seminars and helpful in another. The experts’ analy- that share common tasks will regroup workshops interactively and to access sis helped form a number of working into small working communities over many video sequences shot in these communities around specific tasks the next six to nine months and kill workshops. Second, a virtual meeting and projects. two birds with one stone, if you like, platform allows the members of work- Getting people to work to- by setting up new projects within their ing communities to sit in front of their gether is also a social and cultural chal- associations and at the same time computers at home and work together lenge. The success encountered in Tel developing best practices with other exactly as if they were gathered physi- Aviv resulted, in great part, from the associations in the domain concerned. cally in a meeting room. way the Israel Football Federation put As a result of the workshop, all the pieces together – including ex- eight communities were established to Blended learning, cellent venue, various visits around the develop best practices in the field of not just technology! country and social events – to make in-house versus outsourced delivery of The technology may be state of the workshop a very special occasion rights for sponsors, sponsor partner- the art, but that is not enough. Human and help those involved create unfor- ship strategies, sponsorship rights beings need to get together physically gettable bonds. packaging and more. Each community is composed of so-called drivers, who are the most proactive people in the community, and members. Each com- munity established in Tel Aviv is com- posed of between five and ten repre- sentatives of different national asso - ciations.

Two revolutionary tools Getting people to work collec- tively when they are thousands of kilo- metres apart is quite a challenge. For-

tunately, the 21st century has provided Oded Karny The Tel Aviv workshop participants.

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Fitness training under the expert eye of Werner Helsen (in white).

the microscope. While there is a feel- ing inside UEFA that progress has been Referees courses made, the referees were told to keep up the good work. Indeed the directive was clear: book players who ignore a first warning and, when applicable, in Cyprus award a free kick or penalty. Protect the players Similarly tough action was prescribed to counter the increased “GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THE PLAYERS.” occurrence of mass confrontations or THE WORDS OF UEFA REFEREE INSTRUCTOR HUGH DALLAS REFLECTED ‘mob scenes’ between players. Referees THE DOMINANT THEME OF THE ANNUAL MID-TERM MEETING OF should not hesitate to issue yellow EUROPE’S LEADING MATCH OFFICIALS IN CYPRUS FROM 4 TO 8 FEBRUARY. cards – particularly to players who race across the pitch to get involved – and UEFA’s Referees Committee left was organised in cooperation with the red cards if there is aggressive physical the match officials present in no doubt of Cyprus Football Association. contact. “We expect the referee to their responsibility to protect players from For the two groups the message be on the spot quickly in order to avoid unfair play and also to protect the image was the same, starting with the instruc- mass confrontation,” added Cornu. of the game, notably by taking strong tion to take strong action against tackles action against dangerous tackles and mass where a player uses excessive force and Respect player confrontations. The importance is deemed to give no consideration to To maintain respect, the of respect was underlined too, with the the safety of his opponent. “According Referees’ Committee instructed match referees instructed to punish behaviour to the Laws of the Game, the only officials to caution players for repeated which undermines their authority. sanction possible is a red card if it’s an misbehaviour in the defensive wall, Limassol was the location for aggressive action which can injure the and for dissent too. “You have to make this gathering of 88 of the continent’s top opponent,” said UEFA’s head of referee- sure the players are aware dissent is referees – the senior contingent on the ing, Yvan Cornu. not acceptable and this does not just 16th UEFA Advanced Course for Elite and refer to words, but gestures too,“ Premier Referees, and their junior col- Tough action said Dallas. leagues on the 17th UEFA Introductory The problem of pushing and It is not just on the pitch Course for International Referees – which holding in the penalty box was also under that UEFA wants players to maintain acceptable standards and from Febru- ary, one of the assistant referees – Some of the new international who will be encouraged to take more referees in action. responsibility generally – will head straight to the tunnel on the half-time and full-time whistles in an effort to safeguard against possible trouble between players on their walk back to the dressing rooms. While the referees were reminded of their responsibilities ahead of the resumption of the UEFA Cham- pions League and UEFA Cup, they were also given a platform to air their opinions. UEFA Technical Director Andy Roxburgh – whose Football Develop- ment division took charge of the refer- eeing unit last year – chaired an inau - gural Referee Forum in Limassol where the opposition to both ‘video referees’

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The referees were also able to express their points of view.

and TV monitors in the technical area was and EURO games,” said Roxburgh in only too evident. support of the referees’ views. However, “We have to make sure we don’t the men in the middle did give their have TV monitors by the bench in the unanimous backing to one oft-debated UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup innovation: goal-line technology. From day to day

ENGLISH REFEREE STEVE TANNER WAS ONE OF 34 MATCH OFFICIALS FROM 26 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WHO ATTENDED THE 17TH UEFA INTRODUCTORY COURSE FOR INTERNATIONAL REFEREES IN LIMASSOL. HERE HE DESCRIBES HIS INTRODUCTION TO LIFE AS A UEFA REFEREE.

Day 1 – Monday, 4 February The two main points were coopera- We started with the FIFA fitness tion with our assistants and consistency test and there was definitely some in our decision-making. tension on our bus ride to the stadium It was interesting to hear the Steve Tanner passed his fitness in Larnaca. If you speak to any refe- opinions of the other referees – in test in spite ree, they get nervous on the day of some other countries they don’t expect of the heat! Photos: Sportsfile the test, no matter how good their the assistant referee to help out with fitness is. penalty decisions – but it was made The test comprises 6 x 40m sprints very clear that the assistants are there There was a presentation about followed by 20 x 150m tempo runs, and to support us. preparing for a UEFA match from the conditions were not easy – the sun There was also a thought-provok- Mike Riley, my colleague from the was shining and although I passed the ing presentation by Mattia Piffaretti, Premier League. He gave an insight test I have to say that, coming from a sports psychologist, who mentioned into everything he does to ensure he the English winter, I found it tough as a few things that I’d not really consid- is fully prepared – including carrying there was no breeze at all. ered. On a match day I have some super- his kit in his hand luggage just in Rather than a tour of Limassol in stitions, but his point of view was case his suitcase goes missing. the afternoon, I opted for a massage – that instead of thinking about them For our final evening, we had we’re told you can’t underestimate the you should already be concentrating a farewell dinner with the referees importance of rest and recovery. Before on the game. from the advanced course. I have dinner the referees had an informal to confess I did not stop talking English test with our instructors. English Day 3 – Wednesday, 6 February about refereeing – there were so is the international language and We had morning training at the many different people to speak UEFA referees need to speak at least a stadium in Nicosia. We did four differ- to and learn from. little – fortunately, this is something ent sessions and wore heart-rate moni- I don’t have to worry about. tors to help Werner Helsen assess our Day 4 – Thursday, 7 February I should say it is a great honour fitness levels. Werner will send out a Before flying home, I took the just to be on this course - someone weekly training programme to all the opportunity to reflect on the course told me there are 350,000 referees in new referees. As a professional referee, and I have to say, it’s been absolutely Europe so to be a UEFA referee puts I get this already but for some of the phenomenal. The advice I have you in the top 0.1 per cent! others it will be really beneficial to have received here will definitely make a properly structured programme. me a stronger referee. Everyone was Day 2 – Tuesday, 5 February We were back in the classroom so helpful and even the elite referees We were in the classroom for in the afternoon and the main message made time to talk and give me much of the day – our instructors, from Hugh Dallas was that we have their telephone numbers in case I Hugh Dallas and Vlado Sajn, showed a responsibility to protect players from ever need advice. It’s good to know us incidents from recent Champions foul play. Holding and pulling is an that I can now call on colleagues all League games and we had to go away increasing problem and UEFA wants over Europe to find out about teams and discuss them in groups. this stamped out very quickly. should I be sent to their countries.

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Alongside the UEFA In Zagreb, UEFA and the Alliance Congress, the FIFA general of European Football Coaches’ secretary, Jérôme Valcke, Associations (AEFCA) signed a conducted the draw to memorandum of understanding. determine the order of the Left to right: Karlheinz Raviol, matches in World Cup UEFA-pjwoods.ch AEFCA General Secretary, David qualifying groups 2 and 5, Taylor and Michel Platini, UEFA the teams concerned not General Secretary and President having been able to agree respectively, and Jozef Venglos, on a fixture list. AEFCA President. UEFA-pjwoods.ch UEFA-pjwoods.ch

Technical development programme Executive The committee also gave the green light to a new technical devel- opment programme, the Study Group Scheme. The aim is to facilitate the Committee exchange of knowledge in coach edu- cation, particularly in youth and grass- roots football, and multiply the num- ber of development activities. The meeting project, run by UEFA with the help of EURO 2012 – the national associations, envisages small visiting groups of 5 to 11 people, report and prospects in principle hosted by a club, bene - THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR ON 29/30 JANUARY fiting from four-day tailor-made tech- nical programmes. Each national asso- IN ZAGREB, JUST BEFORE THE UEFA CONGRESS. ciation will be allowed to organise In his introductory address, the successful discussions with clubs three visits per year (or visits for a the president, Michel Platini, gave an and the signature of a memorandum of maximum of 33 participants). UEFA overview of the numerous things that understanding in January between UEFA plans to allocate some EUR 14 million had happened since their last meeting and the new European Club Association to the programme over four years. in Lucerne, the most notable being (cf. pages 8-10). The Executive Commit- The first stage will be to organise pilot tee members applauded the president, exchanges. who has completed in full the mandate Michel Platini at the they had given him. New members of the The meeting was also an Grassroots Charter Council of Europe opportunity to take stock of preparations Also in the field of technical for the final round of the 2010-12 Euro- development, the Executive Committee In Strasbourg on 24 January, approved nine new one-star members the UEFA president, Michel Platini, pean Championship. In a report that of the UEFA Grassroots Charter – addressed the winter Parliamentary was as clear-cut as it was precise, EURO Assembly of the Council of Europe. 2012 commissioner Jacques Lambert Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Faroe Islands, He made a plea for safeguarding reviewed the project’s progress and made Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Moldova the essential values and specificity suggestions regarding the organisational and Sweden – plus the five-star of sport, emphasising the importance structure. A certain degree of political membership of Finland and Ukraine. of sport as a means of social and instability in 2007 meant neither govern- It also approved the addition cultural integration. ment could embark on the project with of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Moldova’s enough dynamism to tackle major issues football associations to the UEFA Con- (stadiums, transport, accommodation) vention on the Mutual Recognition that are vital to the hosting of a compe- of Coaching Qualifications (level A). tition of this magnitude. The Executive Committee The situation does seem to further adopted the Regulations of have improved, however, and the next the UEFA Regions’ Cup 2008/09. One months will be critical according to the additional rest day has been incorpo- Executive Committee, which plans to rated into the final-round calendar and do everything in its power to support the player eligibility criteria have been the two host associations. In exchange, adjusted to support associations who it expects the host associations and have only a limited number of players. governments to demonstrate the same

Keystone determination to rise to the challenge ■ The Executive Committee of this eastward expansion. has modified the dates of some of its The assembly, concerned about the risk of escalating commercialism in In other business, the Executive meetings this year. The new calendar sport, was unanimous in adopting a Committee approved the directives on is as follows: 28 March, Vaduz; 19/20 resolution aimed at preserving the Euro- the use of giant screens in EURO 2008 May, Moscow; 25/26 September, pean model of sport and protecting stadiums. Scenes that are considered to Bordeaux; 11/12 November, Belgrade; the autonomy of sports associations. be controversial will not be shown. and 11/12 December, Nyon.

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The UEFA Grassroots Charter welcomed several new members in Zagreb. UEFA-pjwoods.ch News from LOOKING AHEAD Brussels From 1 July to 31 December, TO EURO2008 France will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union. UEFA is already busy making prepara- tions behind the scenes in anticipation All 53 UEFA members represented! of a sizable French sports portfolio. Presided over by Slovenia since Numerous schools in Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have 1 January 2008, the European Union been acting as ambassadors to the 53 UEFA members for almost a year. will enter an important era when the With EUROSCHOOLS 2008, the official EURO 2008 schools project, the children French take the helm. The programme have enjoyed exciting moments on and off the football pitch. currently being drawn up regarding the general orientation of EU action For months now, school children conjunction with FairPlay-vidc and the already looks ambitious. Sports activi- have been playing their own, mixed-team Swiss Academy for Development. Project ties will not be neglected; quite the tournaments, according to special fair-play sponsors include UEFA, of course, plus opposite in fact. Aside from laying the rules and in the strips of the 53 nations. the governments of Austria and Switzer- groundwork for the entry into force Off the pitch, the young boys land and the Austrian and Liechtenstein of Article 149 of the Lisbon Treaty and girls have found many inventive ways football associations. (cf. uefadirect No 70) – scheduled for to fulfil their roles as ambassadors: filming In September, youth delega- early 2009 – three other main axes video blogs and film clips, cooking tradi- tions from all 53 UEFA members will come are under development. tional national dishes, entertaining ambas- together in Austria and Switzerland to First and foremost, there is health sadors and envoys, conducting interviews take part in an intercultural youth camp, through sport, a topic that receives and creating exhibitions on the countries using football as an educational tool special attention from UEFA, as demon- strated by the recent Get Active adver- they represent. for dialogue and fair play. Within the tising campaign aired during half-time The project has got thousands of EUROSCHOOLS 2008 programme, the in UEFA Champions League matches. school children involved in lively cultural youth camp is aimed at strengthening We could also see guidelines on sport exchanges that will lead right up to EURO the idea of sustainability – young people and exercise. 2008 and beyond. Members of many who get to know neighbouring countries The second main axis centres on national governments are so enthusiastic and new cultures will have the chance ethics in sport. The emphasis here will about EUROSCHOOLS 2008 that they to make, and nurture, lasting contacts be placed on anti-doping measures have invited the young “ambassadors” to throughout the whole of Europe. and the creation of a European anti- visit them. At the end of the youth camp, a doping network with the dual aim of The official schools project is fair-play tournament involving 530 young facilitating the exchange of best prac- coordinated by streetfootballworld in people will be held in Liechtenstein. tices between EU member states and enabling them to speak out with one voice when policy issues are at stake, for example, when collaborating with other anti-doping institutions or pro- posing improvements to the World Anti-Doping Code. Protection of education will be the crux of the third section in the French presidency portfolio. France hopes to promote the “twin project”, which guarantees an academic or vocational education to young athletes. France aims to encourage other member states to follow it down this path. An informal meeting of sports ministers from the EU member states has already been scheduled for 27/28 November in Biarritz, to coincide with the European Sports Forum on 26/27

Euroschools 2008 Euroschools November.

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During his carrier, Haan has coached many clubs in Europe. He achieved his ALBANIA greatest success in Germany when he AZERBAIJAN took Stuttgart FC to the UEFA Cup final Arie Haan signs contract in 1989. Albania is Haan’s third national Developing and popularising team, having already had coaching spells to coach Albania with China and Cameroon. futsal Arie Haan is the new coach of the Press Office The first Baku Inter- Albanian national team. A former Dutch national Futsal Tourna- international (runner-up in the 1978 FIFA ment organised by the World Cup), Haan entered a two-year Association of Football contract with the Albanians on 4 January. Federations of Azerbai- The agreement between the Dutchman jan (AFFA) kicked off in and the Albanian FA was publicly an- the Baku Sports Palace nounced at a press conference held by the on 15 January. Four president of the Albanian FA, Armand teams participated – Azerbaijan, Kaza- Duka, and Arie Haan. Haan has also khstan, Georgia and a Baku selection. picked his technical staff, all of whom are The AFFA decided to launch the Baku Dutch names. Haan is the fourth foreign International Futsal Tournament, and coach to direct the Albanian national team make it an annual fixture, due to the long- since the fall of communism in 1990. standing, heavy interest in futsal within After the press conference in Tirana, society. Next year there are plans to invite Arie Haan and Armand Duka travelled to more teams and enlarge the competition. Copenhagen to negotiate the Group 1 FSHF The main aim of the tournament is to match schedule for the 2010 FIFA World Armand Duka, president of the Albanian FA develop and popularise futsal in Azer - Cup qualifiers. (right), and coach, Arie Haan, sign the deal. baijan. The tournament attracted a great deal of interest and was reported on in the media. All of Azerbaijan’s matches were broadcast live on the state TV channel. also held a top coaching position in the The Azerbaijanis won the tournament, Jordanian Under-20s team that qualified beating Kazakhstan in the final. After the ARMENIA for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. final whistle, the AFFA presented awards ■ The FFA, Coca Cola and SOS Chil- to all the teams involved in the tour - dren’s Village organised a match between nament. Jan Poulsen appointed national an SOS Village team and the 2007 Coca Asim Khudiev team coach Cola Cup winners within the framework Jan Borge Poulsen was introduced as of the Global Peace Games programme. the new head coach of Armenia’s national The main aim of the programme is to help team by the president of the Football socially vulnerable children make friends BELARUS Federation of Armenia (FFA), Ruben and to give currency to healthy lifestyles, Hayrapetyan, at a press conference on 24 sport and football. The match took place January. The two-year contract lasts until on a mini-pitch which was built thanks to Fourth international youth May 2010. UEFA’s HatTrick programme. tournament goes to Russia Jan Poulsen, from Denmark, has been It is important to note that SOS Chil- involved in football for many years. He dren’s Village cooperate with the FFA and The fourth international youth football coached many Danish football clubs in the Coca Cola in other areas too. The FFA and tournament took place in Minsk from 80s and was assistant coach for his home Coca Cola have organised two grassroots 8 to 13 January. It was organised by the country from 1990 to 1992, helping the tournaments in the past two years, which Belarus Football Association (BFF) with the team achieve the title of European Cham- included boys and girls from around 40 help of city’s administration. The tourna- pions in 1992. From then until 1999, he schools. In 2006 only 16 schools partici- ment attracted an impressive number of was head coach of Denmark’s Under-21s, pated, but by 2007 this number had participants, thanks to the good arrange- at the same as working in the coaching increased to 40. ments and increasing recognition of the staff for Denmark’s national team in EURO ■ Partial reconstruction of the Vazgen BFF among Europe’s football associations. 96 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Poulsen Sargsyan (Republican) stadium began on Besides two teams from Belarus (whose 20 January. The FFA has signed a contract players were born in 1991/92), there with an Israeli company, which will man- were U17 participants from Azerbaijan, age the reconstruction of the pitch Belgium, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova and according to international standards. There Russia. are also plans to start reconstructing the The tournament was held in an indoor stadium’s VIP areas and security system. football arena with an artificial pitch. In The fans’ entrance and exit will likewise the traditional format, the teams were be modernised. Alongside all of this, divided into two groups for the round- the FFA is currently still in negotiations robin preliminary stage, after which the with various international organisations final positions were determined on the last regarding the installation of a new day in matches between the pairs of lighting system. The reconstruction of teams who finished the group matches in FFA the Vazgen Sargsyan stadium is due the same position. Jan Poulsen displays the Armenia national to be complete by the end of August Group A was won by Belarus, follow- team shirt just given to him by the president, this year. ing wins against Belgium (1-0) and Lithua- Ruben Hayrapetyan. Tigran Israelyan nia (1-0) and a draw against Azerbaijan.

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BFF new communication plan that has met govina will move forward and that we will The Russians take the youth title. with the approval of René Vandereycken. have a recognised school of football,” said This move is part of a drive to introduce Munir Talovic. In Group B, Russia finished top of greater professionalism into Belgian foot- “It is a great pleasure to have finished the table, having won all their matches ball and will be most noticeable in press this course with my colleagues, enabling 1-0. Having finished their groups in the contact with the national team and the us to do our job more easily,” said Sener runners-up spot, Belgium and Italy played FA’s relationship with sponsors. Bajramovic, who based his final paper on for bronze, which the Italians secured The entire country now awaits that the the example of Real Madrid, where he with a 1-0 win. Red Devils justify the hopes placed in them was a guest. Despite the support of their fans, and qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Their Emir Hadzihafizbegovic, the minister of Belarus lost the final 2-0 against Russia. first challenge will be to survive the pre- sport and culture in the government of However, the tournament was not a liminaries, where they will meet Spain, Sarajevo, contributed to this project with question of winning or losing, but an Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia and a scholarship for the coaches from his can- excellent opportunity for youth footballers Estonia. Qualifying will not be easy, but it ton, Dzelaludin Muharemovic, Haris Ali- to test their strength in a high quality is far from impossible. hodzic, Husref Musemic, Kemal Alispahic, international tournament before the new Pierre Cornez Almir Memic and Edin Hadzialagic. season officially starts. In other news, the Bosnia-Herzegovina At the closing ceremony, the president national team played Japan in Tokyo at of the BFF, Gennady Nevyglas, thanked all the end of January, losing to the home the teams for beautiful fair play and side 3-0. Ivica Osim, legendary ex-inter- invited them to Minsk next January. He national and ex-coach of the Japanese na- also expressed the hope that the tourna- tional team, attended the game. He is re- ment would improve its level and attract covering well from a stroke suffered at the a wider geographical range of partici- end of last year and the Bosnia-Herze- pants. So if your association would like to govina FA delegation visited him in the take part, please contact our organising hospital where he is being treated. committee ([email protected]). During the XXXII UEFA Congress in Sergey Novysh Zagreb, a draw was held to determine the Photo News match schedule for Bosnia-Herzegovina’s René Vandereycken. World Cup qualifiers, after the Group 5 teams – Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia- BELGIUM Herzegovina, Estonia and Armenia – failed BOSNIA- to reach agreement at a meeting on 8 Jan- uary. The Spanish-based Bosnia-Herze- René Vandereycken sticks HERZEGOVINA govina coach, Meho Kodro, wanted to with Red Devils meet Spain at the start of the qualifying round, in Sarajevo. His wish was partially The Belgian Football Association signed Europe’s doors open granted – Bosnia-Herzegovina will play its a new contract with René Vandereycken to Bosnia-Herzegovina coaches first and last qualifying matches against on Friday 18 January. Belgium coach since In a formal ceremony held in Vogosca, Spain, but will start away. 1 January 2006, Vandereycken will now coaches that have successfully completed Fuad Krvavac take the Red Devils into their 2010 World courses through the Football Federation Cup qualifying campaign. The Belgian FA of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s education centre has also put in place a new communica- were awarded their UEFA diplomas tion plan for its national A side, while and licences. A second generation of a decision has yet been taken on the 14 coaches completed the UEFA Pro appointment of a new assistant coach. programme and 91 received A and B Vandereycken, 54, took over from licences. Aimé Anthuenis when the team failed to Among the newly qualified technicians reach either EURO 2004 or the 2006 are former internationals Muhamed World Cup. Vandereycken’s top priority Konjic, Dzelaludin Muharemovic, Nermin when taking the helm was to get the Sabic, Faruk Hujdurovic, Elvedin Bega - F.Krvavac Belgian A side into EURO 2008 – an aim novic, Senad Brkic and Spomenko Bosn- Diploma award ceremony for Bosnian coaches. that he was unfortunately unable to jak. Pro licences were awarded to Vlatko fulfil. Nevertheless, René Vandereycken Glavas (assistant to the former Bosnia- has injected much young talent into the Herzegovina head coach, Blaz Sliskovic), team and the Belgian FA is convinced that Sener Bajramovic and Nikola Nikic (two his continuity-based policy will bear fruit. former youth coaches), Borce Sredojevic CROATIA “We are very happy to have reached (assistant to current head coach, Meho a swift agreement with René Vande - Kodro) and ten other experts. A successful start to the new year reycken,” said the president of the Belgian The diplomas and licences were pre- FA. “Now, we are in the perfect position sented by Sulejman Colakovic and Bog- We are very proud that the Croatian to prepare for the qualifying stages of dan Ceko, vice-presidents of the Football football team has received the greatest the 2010 World Cup and for the 2008 Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Munib recognition of being “the most success- Olympics.” René Vandereycken is to travel Usanovic, the general secretary, and Mu- ful promoter of Croatia in the world”, an to China alongside Under-21 coach Jean- nir Talovic, the manager of the education award presented by the Croatian Olympic François de Sart. centre. “With this completed programme, Committee at its traditional annual event, In other news, the Belgian FA has our coaches can work in any country that “A great day of Croatian sport”. endeavoured to enhance the media is a member of UEFA. I hope that, with This is the fifth time that the Croatian image of its national A side by creating a these experts, football in Bosnia-Herze- football team has been recognised in this ➜

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➜ way, and we are especially pleased to have received this recognition for a year which was marked by great successes by Croat- ENGLAND ian athletes, including the national water polo team, who won the water polo Disability football on the agenda world championship. in Asia Winter is a time when indoor football is played intensively at all levels. The third The Football Association shared its Action Images / Keith Willimas indoor championship of Croatian first di- expertise in disability football with the Jeff Davis. vision clubs has taken place. It was a great Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when stream coaches that coaching disabled success in terms of quality and atten- it delivered a workshop in Kuala Lumpur in January. players is no different from those in main- dance, both in the hall and in front of It was the first time that a seminar on stream football, but it has seen an influx the TV viewers. This year’s winners were disability football had been held in the of good coaches into the disability game. FC Hajduk Split. The winners of the two AFC as part of the cooperation agreement “The AFC is embarking on a number of previous editions were FC Zagreb. with The FA, which delivered a total of exciting initiatives to enable disabled play- Croatia is hosting an elite round mini- eight courses to over 240 participants. ers across the region to become involved tournament in the 2007/08 European The FA’s National Disability Develop- in football. Key to the success is the iden- Under-17 Championship and will be wel- ment Manager, Jeff Davis, said: “One of tification of quality football coaches and coming Belgium, Denmark and Switzer- the objectives of The FA is to allow every- the CDF Tutor Training course will give the land to the Makarska Riviera region and body who wishes to play the game the confederation a network of tutors who neighbouring centres. Preparations are opportunity to reach their potential. will be able to run workshops throughout well under way and we are sure that this “In England, the development of dis- Asia and promote disability football tournament will meet the organisational ability football has seen a dramatic in- opportunities for all.” standards for which we are appreciated, crease in the number of disabled players Workshops targeting referee assessors, which is why UEFA entrusts us with the playing the game. In 2004 we had only instructors, recruiters, elite men and organisation of such youth tournaments. around 10,000 people taking part while, women referees, as well as a generic We are continuing our cooperation in 2007 we had 38,000 participating. tutor training and goalkeeping course, with clubs founded by Croats elsewhere “A key element in progressing devel- were part of the busy FA-AFC programme, in the world. The meeting of the European opment forward has been the introduc- which will see follow-up sessions take council of these clubs was held in Zagreb tion of the Coaching Disabled Footballers place later in the year. and it was decided to stage the second (CDF) course. Not only does it show main- Nada Grkinic European championship in Sweden on 10 and 11 May. The hosts will be FC Velebit in Gothenburg. Eight teams will qualify for the final round: three from the quali- German FA’s head instructor, Erich fying competition in Germany, one each Rutemöller, travelled to UEFA headquarters from Switzerland, France, Austria and GERMANY for preliminary talks. At the same point in Sweden, and the selection of the Croat- time, the DFB Executive Committee agreed ian minority in Austria, the first winners unanimously that there would be no more Special coach education special arrangements made in future. This of the European championship for the for Lothar Matthäus Croatian national minorities. summer sees the entry into force of the We are also preparing the general This year, Lothar Matthäus is to under- new admission requirements and general meeting of the Croatian Football Federa- go the German Football Association’s foot- conditions for football coach education, for tion. One of the main items on the agenda ball coach education programme. A record- which DFB Sporting Director Matthias Sam- will be the promotion of youth work. breaking German international, Matthäus mer is responsible. The new football coach education programme – the German FA’s Ante Pavlovic played in 150 international ties between 1980 and 2000 and in 1990 captained the 55th – begins in June. Content-wise it will world champions in Italy. From February to be much more comprehensive than in pre- May, he will take part in a unique pro- vious years and will run for an extra ten gramme, designed especially for him and months, with DFB technical instructor Frank led by Erich Rutemöller. The Executive Com- Wormuth at the helm. mittee of the German Football Association Maximilian Geis (DFB) was unanimous in its support of this initiative. DFB General Secretary Wolfgang Niers- bach explains: “After a thorough analysis, HUNGARY in consultation with UEFA, it can be con- firmed that all criteria are met. By offer- ing him his own private programme, the UEFA tournaments in Hungary DFB is honouring Lothar Matthäus’s Hungary is a country that is proud of extraordinary services to German football. its hospitality. Situated in central Europe, Another key factor, however, was the fact it has always been a crossroads of Europe, that he was already active as a coach in and now it is looking forward to organ- 2001, as the national coach in Hungary ising several UEFA events this year and

HNS among other things.” next. Thanks to good lobbying by the The content of Matthäus’ private pro- president of the Hungarian Football Fed- Ante Pavlovic (facing the camera), consultant to the Croatian Football Federation, accepts the gramme is being defined in close collabo- eration (MLSZ), István Kisteleki, and Croatian Olympic Committee award on behalf ration with UEFA, which sanctions and International Director Bienerth Gusztáv, of federation president, Vlatko Markovic. accredits the education. To this end, the most of the Hungarian teams will have a

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chance to qualify at home for the subse- “I was enticed by the challenging task new strips were presented by the best quent rounds. set before the department, which it has players of 2007 – Vitalijs Astafjevs (Skon- In spring this year, the futsal team plays to fulfil in accordance with the FIFA and to FC), best male player, and Guna Aboli- host to England, FYR Macedonia and UEFA requirements, and also corresponds na (Saldus FK Lutrini), best female player. Poland in the town of Gyöngyös. The U19 with my vision of refereeing. Therefore, I For the next four years, the LFF will elite round tournament will bring Cyprus, accepted the offer of the FFK enthusias- drive 12 new Toyota vehicles with the Lithuania and Portugal to Hungary in May, tically. We have a long way to go along financial support of its general sponsor, while in the autumn, Hungary will host the European refereeing path,” Levnikov Nordea Bank, as defined in the deal with both U17 and U19 first round mini-tour- commented. WESS Motors. naments, hopefully of a high standard. From 3 to 16 February, about 70 Kazakh- “Latvian football has established a These four-team events are all just ap- stan referees and assistant referees strong partnership with the Nordea Bank, petizers for the really big event in 2009, willing to take charge of Superleague Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, adidas, WESS when two new sports halls in Budapest and matches gathered in Turkey for a training Motors and others. This proves that we Debrecen will be the venues for the Eu- session under the stewardship of key are on the right track for making football ropean Futsal Championship final round, Kazakh and Russian instructors. Classes as popular here as it is in western Europe,” featuring 12 participants for the first time. on the Laws of the Game, fitness tests and said Janis Mezeckis, LFF General Secretary. Márton Dinnyés visiting many friendly matches helped in Martins Hartmanis the selection of those who will be involved in refereeing top-flight matches. “Another important component of the referees’ work is to ensure that they are not left to themselves. Every month, MALTA they will be invited to mini-seminars where we will check their fitness and analyse matches that have taken place,” Levnikov Football scoops national awards added. Late last January, football came out at The new head of refereeing also has the very top in Malta’s national sporting many other plans, including, in the near contests, where the best athletes and future, a school for young referees in the administrators chosen from all sports dis- region of the Almaty Football Association, ciplines were rewarded for their achieve- where Levnikov himself will give classes. ments during 2007. Later on, similar schools will be opened in other regional associations too. Alexandr Keplin Mathias Imre Vladimir Koman, Hungary’s Under-19 captain, during the match against Wales. LATVIA

KAZAKHSTAN New strip and new cars At a press conference held at the be- New case for Nikolai Levnikov ginning of February, the Latvian Football

Federation (LFF) announced the signature D.Aquilina The Football Federa- of a deal with WESS Motors/Toyota and Award-winners: the Malta national side, tion of Kazakhstan presented the new adidas national team with Michael Mifsud (No 9), and the (FFK) has been reor- strip. New LFF Toyota cars were taken onto president of the Malta Football Association, ganising its referee the artificial football pitch at the Olympic Joseph Mifsud, trophy in hand. education activities, sports centre in Riga and the national which have prompted team players mingled with the fans. The The event is held annually by the a lot of criticism in re- Maltese Sportswriters Association and is cent years. Raising the widely attended by representatives of the standard of the body country’s sports bodies and high-profile of referees is one of personalities. Nikolai the top priorities of The most prestigious honour, that of Levnikov. the new president ‘Sportsman of the Year’, went to Michael of the FFK, Adilbek Mifsud, the Malta international forward, KFF Dzhaksybekov. whose scoring stints for championship In a first step, the FFK executive com- team Coventry City have hit the headlines mittee, on the proposal of the chairman in several countries, apart from those in of the referees’ committee, discharged four Malta. He is currently his team’s top scorer. referees from their official duties for life. The Malta national team, under Czech The next step was the appointment of coach Dusan Fitzel, took the honours in Nikolai Levnikov – an outstanding profes- the teams’ category for their perform- sional from Russia and a former member ances and some good results in the EURO of UEFA’s Referees Committee, who pre- 2008 qualifying campaign, which helped viously headed the Russian Football them earn a record number of points in

Union’s football referee panel – as head AFI the group matches as well as the highest of the combined referees’ and referee A four-year partnership for the Latvia total of goals Malta has ever scored in observers’ department. Football Federation. such a competition. ➜

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➜ The other award, that of ‘Sports Ad- to receive gifts from the FAM president, In training, players simply help each ministrator of the Year’, went to Joseph Pavel Cebanu, accompanied by members other to improve all the time. Mifsud, the Malta FA president, whose of the Moldovan national teams, namely Frank de Boer, introduced by a short contribution to football in Malta and Eu- Victor Golovatenco (FC Himki, Russia), Vic- clip showing only a few of the numerous rope needs no introduction. Mifsud, again tor Comlionoc (SKA Rostov, Russia), Ilie highlights of his career, explained how re-elected as UEFA Executive Committee Cebanu (FC Wisla Krakow, Poland) and much he had learnt from the colleague member early in 2007 – at the end of this Anatol Doros (FC Standard, Azerbaijan). who later on became his national team term he will have been on this committee The children enjoyed such gifts as sledges, manager, Frank Rijkaard. The current for a remarkable 17 years – is now a books and football balls. FC Barcelona coach always stressed the veteran of the European body and very In other news, in cooperation with importance of keeping an eye on your much respected as one of the doyens in Infront Sports and Media AG, a Swiss opponent rather than on the ball. From UEFA circles. In Malta he was retained as company, the FAM is going to install an Italian defenders, Rijkaard coined the the top man of the association, a re-elec- artificial mini-pitch this summer. trade of touching your opponent and tion that will keep him in the post for a Victor Daghi always feeling where he is, in order not record 18 consecutive years. to lose him. Alex Vella MONTENEGRO MOLDOVA School for football coaches begins its work Promotion of charity activities The football coaches’ school, one of To keep up its charity mission, the the most important projects of the Foot- FA of Moldova (FAM) has recently made ball Association of Montenegro, realised donations to an orphanage, to learning- with the support of UEFA, started its work disabled children, as well as to people of on 15 February. The school’s first intake the city of Soroca who suffered the comprises 25 candidates for the B licence. explosion of their apartment block. “Our main goal is the education of our coaches, which, unfortunately, is not at a good level. Our plan is to successfully

educate two generations of coaches in the KNVB Jan de Koning / next two years, before we start thinking Coaches observe the young players. about an education programme for the A licence,” said Niko Raickovic, the school’s director. Frank de Boer said that he was never Lessons will be taught by professors either the tallest or the quickest of de- and Pro licence coaches from Montenegro fenders and that he managed to survive and abroad. by making sure that his jumping ability Ivan Radovic was perfect and that he was always in the right position. “During my first week at Ajax,” Frank told his audience to make his point, “I watched a 12-year-old who was on the ground make a sliding tackle at Boris Harcenco NETHERLANDS least 20 times during a short match. Af- Gate receipts donated to charity. terwards I told him that he had been on the ground more in ten minutes than I The members of the FAM Executive Frank de Boer’s lectures had been in my whole career. Since then Committee unanimously decided that the on defending the boy has worked hard on being in the revenue from the sale of tickets for the The theme of the 12th national coach- right position and improved amazingly, EURO 2008 qualifier between Moldova ing day held in Zeist on 30 January was much to my satisfaction.” and Hungary, valued at MDL 40,000, defending, set against a background of Frank de Boer was a fair player who should be shared between the affected how to become a better team player. Who was always looking for clean solutions people of Soroca (MDL 25,000) and the could be a more appropriate speaker on rather than kicking the ball into the stand. Moldova Special Olympics (MDL 15,000). this topic than former international cap- “Whenever I did that, I always felt bad, In a festive atmosphere, an FAM dele- tain Frank de Boer, who currently works until I realised that it sometimes helped gation composed of General Secretary with Ajax Amsterdam as coach of the my team to reposition. So it was for the Nicolai Cebotari, Mircea Cojocari, Head of Under-13s? The official opening speech benefit of my team rather than for the the Administrative-Protocol Department, was given by Foppe de Haan, the suc- beauty of the game. I tell my players and and Victor Daghi, Head of the Media cessful coach of the national Under-21 colleagues now that defending is no Department, donated fitness equipment team that won the European title for two longer a dirty word in Dutch football and relevant accessories worth MDL consecutive years. De Haan stressed that, vocabulary.” 15,000 to disadvantaged children through most of the time, a coach concentrates With this message in mind, 300 youth the Moldova Special Olympics. on scoring goals rather than preventing coaches spent a useful day together The FAM continued to produce sur- them. He added, however, that by having watching boys in different age groups play prises by lifting the spirits of children at exceptional strikers in your team you in various settings, while the participating the Pirita orphanage in the Dubasari re- automatically improve the skills of your coaches had to work on several exercises gion, where 264 children ranging in age defenders as well. Of course, it also works they had been set. from 1 to 16 gathered in the sports hall the other way around, De Haan said. Rob de Leede

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Conor Devlin, Spike Hill (coach), Kenny Shiels (manager) and Conor McLaughlin in black tie. IFA

rewarded for their efforts when they quali - NORTHERN fied for the elite stage of the European IRELAND Under-17 Championships. Qualification was secured by the team’s successful per- Under-17 national team formance in a mini-tournament in Belgium last October. nominated for ‘Youth Team The mini-tournament saw Northern of the Year’ Ireland’s Under-17s triumph without con- Manager Kenny Shiels, who attended ceding a single goal in any of its three FAI the function along with players Conor games. The Northern Irish successfully From left to right: Packie Bonner, Ricardo McLaughlin and Conor Devlin, was secured victories over Moldova (3-0), Moniz, Nigel Worthington and Roy Millar. delighted that the squad’s efforts were Montenegro (1-0), and hosts Belgium recognised. “Although we failed to pick (1-0) to top their group and secure a Association (IFA), involved presentations up the award on the night, we lost out to place in the elite stage. on a variety of topics aimed at coaches very well-deserved winners at the Royal Northern Ireland will now play working with male and female players up School Armagh (Hockey 1st XI). To be host to Wales, Scotland and Slovenia to the age of 16. In addition, there were nominated was and is a great boost to the in Group 5 of the European Under-17 practical demonstrations at the nearby JJB backroom staff and the players involved, Championships elite round, which Soccer Dome. particularly as we are preparing to host a will be played between 17 and 22 Among the guest speakers at the con- mini-tournament in March. The boys have March. ference were IFA director of coaching, Roy all worked extremely hard and I am thank- Conor Devlin of Glengormley will be Millar, and FAI technical director, Packie ful for their dedication and commitment. joining Manchester United next season Bonner, who outlined to delegates how We are grateful for the nomination, and Conor McLaughlin, from Belfast, will their respective associations develop the brought about by the squad’s recent suc- be signing for Preston. game, while former Scotland manager cess, and it will be a welcome bout of con- As preparation for the elite stage, the Craig Brown spoke about the importance fidence as we prepare to face the bigger squad has played a number of friendly of coach education and his experiences at footballing nations in the next stage of matches, beginning with Everton Youth both club and country. the UEFA championships.” on 5 February and Liverpool Youth on 7 The manager of the Switzerland senior During the last year the young squad February. women’s team, Béatrice von Siebenthal, have worked remarkably hard and were Caroline Menary spoke about the development of women’s football in her country, the creation of an academy for women players and the deci- task, which is to develop football skills,” sion to allow male and female players to said the NFF president. play together to the age of 20. NORWAY The project does not just include eco- Tosh Farrell, head of international nomic support; the NFF will also create development at Everton FC, and Ricardo new administrative posts to help the clubs Moniz, skills coach at Tottenham Hotspur, New project to strengthen in areas such as marketing, infrastructure made presentations and followed them top women’s division and travel. A major part of the project is up at the JJB Sports Dome with practical Sondre Kåfjord, president of the Nor- to build up a specific profile for the sessions attended by players from the FAI’s wegian FA (NFF), and General Secretary women’s game. Emerging Talent Programme and women’s Karen Espelund, have presented a project The leader of the interest organisation winter training camps. addressed at the top clubs in women’s for the women’s top clubs in Norway, Ulla The conference finished with a panel football with a view to strengthening the Britt Wiig Kristensen, says the project rep- discussion about issues facing coaches and women’s game. Altogether, the NFF and resents a huge step for the women’s the two associations in relation to the de- its partners will spend about EUR 25 mil- game. velopment of young players. It featured lion over the next five years on develop- “The economic support is just a small Roy Miller, Chris Hughton, Northern Ire- ing the top women’s division in Norway. part. It’s the profile building that will be land manager Nigel Worthington, and FAI “Our aim is to contribute to the further most important for us in the future. We senior tutor Noel O’Reilly. Delegates were development of the women’s game, by are now standing at a crossroads where given the opportunity to pose questions giving the top clubs a better and more the comparison between the men’s and to some of the speakers. predictable economy. In that way, they can the women’s games will end. Now the Fran Whearty concentrate more on the most important clubs must stand together to develop their own product.” Yngve Haavik SCOTLAND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND A new coaching team It has been a time of change for foot- ball in Scotland. Following the narrow fail- FAI and IFA host Watering the ure to reach EURO 2008, a new coaching Grassroots coaching conference team has been brought in to work at both Over 420 delegates attended the senior and youth level. George Burley, Watering the Grassroots coaching con- the former Ipswich, Heart of Midlothian

NFF ference in Dundalk in January. The three- and Southampton manager, comes in The president of the Norwegian FA, day coaching conference, which was to replace Alex McLeish as national Sondre Kåfjord, and the general secretary, organised jointly by the Football Associa- team coach, while Billy Stark has been Karen Espelund, present the project. tion of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Football appointed national youth team coach. ➜

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➜ Speaking about the appointment of SvFF George Burley, the chief executive of the A scale model of the new national stadium. Scottish FA, Gordon Smith, said: “George SWEDEN is an outstanding manager who knows Råsunda stadium currently stands. The old football inside and out. He has a passion Swedbank Arena to be national stadium will eventually be de- for the game and a clear vision of how to inaugurated in 2012 molished, the site of the building being deliver success for the national team. I am part of the financing package. absolutely convinced that George is the The Swedish FA has announced that The Swedbank Arena will seat 50,000 right man to lead us through the quali- construction of the national stadium will spectators for football and 60,000 for con- fiers and into the World Cup in South start in 2008. After agreeing a deal worth certs. The stadium will be the centrepiece Africa.” approximately EUR 1 million a year for the of a new part of Solna, where apartments The new man’s first game in charge is next 16 years, the stadium will be named and commercial buildings will also be against Croatia at Hampden on 26 March. the Swedbank Arena. built. Construction will start later this year, Rob Shorthouse “Swedbank is an ideal partner. This long- and the stadium itself will be ready for term deal for the naming rights will be a kick-off in 2012. big part of giving the Swedish people the 51,984 Swedish fans have applied to best possible successor to our old Råsunda the FA for tickets for EURO 2008. In all, stadium,” said Sune Reinhold, chairman of the association received applications for SLOVAKIA the stadium project group. 169,625 tickets and vouchers, correspon- Ownership of the new stadium will be ding to more than ten applicants for every shared between the Swedish FA, the city ticket allocated to the Swedish FA. A draw Slovakia moves closer to new of Solna, and three construction/real es- will take place to select the successful national stadium tate companies. The Swedbank Arena will applicants. After years of what felt like hopeless be built a few kilometres from where the Andreas Nilsson longing, it seems the Slovak football dream – a new national stadium – could come true. The Slovak government The club was the idea of the FFU pres- rejected the Slovak Football Association’s ident, Grygoriy Surkis, with a view to request for financial backing of the na- SWITZERLAND establishing closer and friendlier contacts tional football stadium project, but the city with the media and genuinely demo cratic parliament in the capital, Bratislava, forms of communication between the recently approved a resolution granting Death of vice-president media and the football association. the building site ground free of charge to Urs Saladin “The Football Federation of Ukraine is the company comprised of the city’s three On 8 February, Urs Saladin vice-presi- very interested in cooperating with as football clubs – Slovan Bratislava, Inter dent of the Swiss Football Association (ASF) many journalists as possible. Naturally, the Bratislava and Artmedia Petrzalka. and chairman of the amateur football preparations for EURO 2012 are the main These three clubs, along with the Slo- league, passed away after a long illness topic of discussion, but it is also very vak Football Association (SFA), should have borne with great courage. He was 68. important to encourage coverage of their national shrine to football erected in For decades, Urs Saladin served the ASF other FFU activities, such as grassroots, the next 16 to 20 months. If there are no in many different positions. He was children’s/youth and women’s football, crucial complications, the first official kick- nominated as an honorary member of the disability football, and, of course, the off on the national stadium pitch could be amateur football league in 1997. Urs national teams,” said Sergiy Vasyliev, the in 2010, according to representatives of Saladin always shared his vast knowledge FFU’s head of information. J & T, the financial consulting company and experience for the benefit of football The first meeting of the club, in quoted in the Slovak media. and never sought personal gain in return. December, was spent discussing the Open and honest, he was highly regarded Currently, Slovakia suffers from a heavy appointment of Oleksiy Mykhailychenko as throughout Switzerland and presided over shortage of suitable stadiums all around national coach, an appointment which a league comprising 13 regional associa- seemed to be rather unpopular among the the country as not a single one fulfils tions and some 240,000 amateur foot- fans. But most of the members of the press UEFA’s capacity conditions. The existing ballers. club agreed that the former U21 coach was national stadium – Tehelné pole – was Pierre Benoit the right man for the job from a strategic built in the capital more than 60 years ago point of view, as it ensured the succession and is apparently unable to fulfil its func- of the next generation of players. tion. The only possible substitute – a sta- dium in Trnava (western Slovakia) is of a UKRAINE Igor Lynnik similar age and condition. The SFA has been granted an exception by UEFA and the Slovak national squad is allowed to FFU upgrades dialogue play its 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in with media smaller stadiums in Zilina (northern Slo- The Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU) vakia) and Trnava, but the cut-off point is has launched a new project, the Football looming as the exception expires in 2010. Press Club, in which the most competent Nevertheless, optimism prevails right and famous sportswriters, football experts, across the Slovak football family, with SFA coaches and association officials will meet representatives, players and fans all con- regularly at the FFU’s headquarters to vinced that in two years’ time, the Slovak discuss pressing problems, burning issues

national side will win their matches in the and the latest news and trends in Ukrain- FFU new stadium. ian and international football in an infor- The first Football Press Club meeting Ivan Ceredejev mal and relaxed atmosphere. at the federation headquarters.

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Notice

Communications ■ Following the appointment of Birthdays – Calendar Theodore Theodoridis as director of the UEFA administration’s National Associations Division, his seat on the Club Competitions Committee ● Birthdays Lambros Adamou (Cyprus, 20.3) has been allocated to Ramón ● Luigi Agnolin (Italy, 21.3) ● Antal Dunai (Hungary, 21.3) Calderón (Spain). UEFA vice-president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder ● Jim Boyce (Northern Ireland, 21.3) (Germany) celebrates his 75th birthday on ● Chris Georgiades (Cyprus, 22.3) 3 March. Two members of the Circle of former ● Michail Kassabov (Bulgaria, 22.3) UEFA committee members are also on the Match agents ● Franz Krösslhuber (Austria, 23.3) UEFA birthday roll for March: Edgar Obertüfer ● Andrea Lastrucci (Italy, 23.3) (Switzerland), 80 on 29 March, and Pedro ● Outi Saarinen (Finland, 23.3) Maria Aurteneche Vinegra (Spain), 75 on 7 New match agent licences have ● Fernando Ruiz Hierro (Spain, 23.3) March. Meanwhile, Maurizio Laudi (Italy), been granted to: ● Daniel Claudiu Prodan (Romania, 23.3) member of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary ● Wilfried Straub (Germany, 26.3) Body, turns 60 on 24 March. Reaching the ● Kemal Kapulluoglu (Turkey, 26.3) half-century mark are Steve Williams (Eng- Eduardo Alonso Velez ● Konstantin Vikhrov (Ukraine, 27.3) land), member of the Artificial Turf Panel, on Barrio San Julián No 23, Bajo Izq ● John McClelland (Scotland, 27.3) 19 March, followed by doping control officer ● Anton Ondrus (Slovakia, 27.3) 48550 Muskiz (Vizcaya) José Antonio Casajus (Spain) on 27 March. ● Joseph Gauci (Malta, 27.3) Other leading members of the European Spain ● Armen Minasyan (Armenia, 27.3) football family celebrating their birthdays in Tel: +34 94 670 6182 ● Mario van der Ende (Netherlands, 28.3) March are: ● Pavel Cebanu (Moldova, 28.3) Mob: +34 66 192 2256 ● Benny Jacobsen (Denmark, 1.3) ● Ian Beasley (England, 29.3) Fax: +34 94 485 0180 ● Sergey Tatulyan (Ukraine, 1.3) ● Stefan Ormandjiev (Bulgaria, 29.3) ● Damir Vrbanovic (Croatia, 2.3) ● Alan Snoddy (Northern Ireland, 29.3) ● Dragan Stojkovic (Serbia, 3.3) ● Bernadette Constantin (France, 29.3) Ömer Koray Uzun ● Esa Antero Palsi (Finland, 4.3) ● Juan V. Dura (Spain, 29.3) 4U Sports Business & Consultancy ● Boris Durlen (Croatia, 6.3) ● Miriam Malone (Republic of Ireland, 29.3) Sümbül Sokak No 39 ● Liana Melania Stoicescu (Romania, 6.3) ● William Hugh Wilson (Scotland, 30.3) ● Dusan Maravic (Serbia, 7.3) Levent / Istanbul ● Kenneth Scott (Scotland, 7.3) Turkey ● Tomás Gea (Andorra, 7.3) Forthcoming events ● Josep Lluís Vilaseca Guasch (Spain, 8.3) Tel: +90 212 284 63 63 ● Juraj Oblozinsky (Slovakia, 8.3) Meetings Mob: +90 532 765 13 13 ● Giorgio Crescentini (San Marino, 8.3) 10.3.2008, Nyon Fax: +90 212 284 88 00 ● Alexis Ponnet (Belgium, 9.3) Professional Football Strategy Council [email protected] ● Vladimir Aleshin (Russia, 9.3) 14.3.2008, Nyon ● Hendrik Kesler (Netherlands, 9.3) Draws for the quarter and ● Ruben Hayrapetyan (Armenia, 9.3) semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League Tony Päffgen ● Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland, 10.3) and the UEFA Cup Bachemer Strasse 91 ● Mateo Beusan (Croatia, 10.3) 25-29.3.2008, Helsinki ● Lucien Kayser (Luxembourg, 11.3) UEFA futsal referee course 50931 Cologne ● Olga Zhukovska (Ukraine, 11.3) 28.3.2008, Vaduz Germany ● Jean-François Crucke (Belgium, 12.3) Executive Committee ● Vlastibor Minarovjech (Slovakia, 13.3) Tel: +49 221 310 78 88 ● Thomas Partl (Austria, 13.3) Competitions Mob: +49 171 737 10 98 ● Ivan Curkovic (Serbia, 15.3) Fax: +49 221 940 811 77 ● Markus Merk (Germany, 15.3) 4/5.3.2008 ● Michel Verschueren (Belgium, 17.3) UEFA Champions League: [email protected] ● Liutauras Varanavicius (Lithuania, 17.3) first knock-out round (return legs) ● Christakis Skapoullis (Cyprus, 18.3) 6.3.2008 The licence of Rudolf Schnippe ● Andreas Georgiou (Cyprus, 18.3) UEFA Cup: round of 16 (first legs) ● Marcello Nicchi (Italy, 18.3) 12/13.3.2008 (Germany) has also been renewed ● Marina Tashchyan (Armenia, 18.3) UEFA Cup: round of 16 (return legs) until 17 January 2016.

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications Division Editorial deadline: 11 February 2008 source is indicated. UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 24

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