2.07

Including

31st UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf 03

UEFA Champions League resumes 08

Women’s football coaches forum 10 No 58 – February 2007 COVER IN THIS ISSUE UEFA Champions League In Düsseldorf, became first knock-out round 08 the sixth UEFA president and the second 31st UEFA Congress Women’s football coaches forum 10 Frenchman – and the second one to in Düsseldorf 03 The new face of the Meridian Cup 12 hail from the Lorraine region – to be elected to that position, the first having Media managers New headquarters for Ukrainian FA 15 been the late . meet in 07 News from member associations 16 PHOTO: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

LookingEditorial ahead

For football fans in Europe, 2007 looks like a “gap year” – the year be- tween the World Cup in and EURO 2008, though someone who prefers club football does not experience the same lull, with the domestic league and cup competitions to follow and possibly the club’s campaign in one of UEFA’s competitions as well. For the leaders of the national associations and of UEFA, there is no such thing as a quiet period either. This year, for example, UEFA’s member associations first had the delicate task of deciding who UEFA’s president would be for the next four years. Just a few months later, in April, it will be up to the UEFA Executive Committee to decide where EURO 2012 will take place. 2007 is also likely to be a crucial time in relations between European football and the European Union. It will also be decisive for the club licensing system, not to mention for the future of the UEFA club competitions, with the Executive Committee required to draw conclusions from the vast study that has been undertaken among all stakeholders. On top of that, the marketing process for the next competition cycle will get under way, and numerous other activities will happen, such as the new-look Meridian Cup at the end of February, to name but one. So there will certainly be nothing calm about 2007, which, on the contrary, promises to be a more than busy year. Most of the decisions on the agenda will steer European football in a certain direction for the next few years, which may seem paradoxical at a time when it is harder than ever to predict what the future holds. However, it is only by looking ahead that we can stay in front and avert the risk of being overtaken.

Lars-Christer Olsson Chief Executive

we care about football UEFA-pjwoods.ch

02 uefadirect 2.07 31st UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf Michel??????????????????????????? Platini elected president UEFA-pjwoods.ch

ON 25/26 JANUARY, THE 31ST ORDINARY UEFA CONGRESS TOOK PLACE His first gesture after being IN DÜSSELDORF, THOUGH IT WAS RATHER MORE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT elected UEFA president was to pay BY VIRTUE OF ITS DURATION – WITH THE FRIDAY SESSION LASTING FIVE AND tribute to his predecessor, Lennart A HALF HOURS – AND, MORE NOTABLY, BY THE MASSIVE MEDIA PRESENCE Johansson, by proposing to the con- gress that he be made honorary presi- TRIGGERED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, WITH NO FEWER THAN 280 MEDIA dent of UEFA, a proposal that was REPRESENTATIVES ON THE SPOT. accepted by resounding acclamation. The delegates of UEFA’s 52 becomes the sixth president of UEFA, member associations – which were all following in the footsteps of Ebbe Three new members of the UEFA represented at the congress – were faced Schwartz (1954-62), Executive Committee with the choice of either abiding by the (1962-72), (1973-83), As a new chapter in UEFA’s principle that you should never change a Jacques Georges (1984-90) and Lennart history unfurls, the composition of winning team or of giving fresh impetus Johansson (1990-2007). its Executive Committee also has a to the organisation by electing – for the Platini, 51, joined the UEFA slightly new look for the four years first time in UEFA’s history – a former top Executive Committee in 2002. The for- ahead. In the elections for six seats on player as its president. mer brilliant player and one-time nation- the committee that followed the The close result showed just al team coach has also been serving presidential elections, three new mem- how difficult that choice was, with the as vice-president of the French Football bers were voted in: Mircea Sandu, outgoing president, Federation and a member of the FIFA Gilberto Madaíl and Grigoriy Surkis, () obtaining 23 votes, against 27 Executive Committee. He also played a the last two having been involved (two ballot papers were invalid) in favour key role in the 1998 World Cup organis- in the committee since 2004 as co- of Frenchman Michel Platini, who thus ing committee. opted members.

03 The congress centre in Düsseldorf.

Guests from the other football confederations.

It took only one ballot to elect: by acclamation. In the same way, Franz cial obligations, competition regulations Angel Maria Villar Llona (Spain), Beckenbauer (Germany) was elected and disciplinary measures. The main 42 votes; Senes Erzik (Turkey), 37 votes; member of the FIFA Executive Commit- purpose of the amendments was to Mircea Sandu (Romania), 32 votes; tee, again as the sole candidate. One embed the club licensing system in the Joseph Mifsud (), 28 votes; Gilberto member’s seat still has to be filled, that statutes; to make it possible to deny Madaíl (Portugal), 27 votes; and Grigoriy vacated by Michel Platini on becoming admission to a competition to any asso- Surkis (), 27 votes. a FIFA vice-president. In accordance with ciation or club directly or indirectly in- The unlucky candidates were the UEFA statutes, the UEFA Executive volved in any activity aimed at arrang- Frantisek Laurinec (Slovakia), 25 votes; Committee will decide who will fill ing or influencing the outcome of a outgoing members Eggert Magnusson that seat. match; to make it possible to withdraw (Iceland), 23 votes; and Giangiorgio a title or licence; to counter govern- Spiess (Switzerland), 20 votes; as well as Amendments to the statutes ment and court interference; and to im- Tomas Gea (Andorra), 12 votes. Since the UEFA statutes are to plement the recommendations of the Rakhat Aliyev (Kazakhstan), undergo a total revision before the 2008 Independent European Sport Review in Vlatko Markovic (Croatia) and Liutauras UEFA Congress in Kiev, at which they terms of consultation. A definition of Varanavicius (Lithuania) withdrew their will be voted on, only a strict minimum fair play has also been included. candidatures. of amendments were proposed to the It was also the job of the con- congress in Düsseldorf, all of which met Bigger European Championship gress to complete the line-up of UEFA with the delegates’ approval. The claus- final rounds? representatives on the FIFA Executive es in question concern articles 2, 3bis, 7, The proposal of the Scottish Committee. As UEFA president, Michel 9, 42, 50, 53 and 54, dealing, among FA, which was seconded by the football Platini automatically becomes a FIFA vice- other things, with the objectives of UEFA, associations of the Republic of , president. The remaining vacant vice- relationships with the stakeholders in Latvia and Sweden, to undertake a fea- president’s seat went to the only candi- European football, the rights and obliga- sibility study regarding the expansion of date and present office-holder, Angel tions of member associations, the sus- the European Football Championship Maria Villar Llona, who was re-elected pension of member associations, finan- final round to 24 participants met with

THE NEW UEFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Seated, from left to right: Mathieu Sprengers, Geoffrey Thompson, Senes Erzik, Michel Platini, Per Ravn Omdal, Angel Maria Villar Llona, Lars-Christer Olsson. Standing: Mircea Sandu, Gilberto Madaíl, Grigoriy Surkis,

Marios Lefkaritis, Viacheslav Koloskov, Joseph Mifsud, Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder. Missing from the photo: Franco Carraro. PHOTOS: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

04 uefadirect 2.07 53rd UEFA member association Some five years since the admission of Kazakhstan, UEFA welcomed another new member at the congress in Düssel- dorf, of Mon- tenegro, which had been a provisional member since October, following the division of Serbia and Montenegro. UEFA membership was therefore a natural continuation for the Montene- grin association, headed by a former professional footballer, Dejan Savicevic, as it had previously been part of the old football association of Yugoslavia and then of the football association of A standing ovation for Lennart Johansson on being elected honorary president of UEFA. Serbia and Montenegro, and fulfilled all the conditions for full UEFA member- ship, which takes effect on 1 July. Honours and awards The UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf opened on the Thursday afternoon with addresses by the German minister of the interior, Wolfgang Schäuble, and the president of the German football association, Theo Zwanziger, as well as messages from the presidents of FIFA and UEFA, Joseph S. Blatter and Lennart Johansson. The first part of the annual meet- ing of UEFA’s member associations was

Lennart Johansson and Michel Platini devoted mainly to paying tribute to greet Dejan Savicevic, president of the loyal servants of European football, football association of Montenegro. notably Jean Fournet-Fayard (France), The congress, however, rejected the who was made an honorary member membership application of the Gibraltar of UEFA. A former member of the Football Association, which had been UEFA Executive Committee who also admitted as a provisional member in spent nine years as president of the December following a decision of the French Football Federation, Jean Four- Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). net-Fayard also served for many years on UEFA’s Club Competitions Commit- the approval of the vast majority of tee. He was a familiar face at draws, delegates. According to the proposal, about which he knows all the ins and enlarging the final round would outs, having prepared and conducted promote the national associations by so many of them. virtue of more of them qualifying. Jean Fournet-Fayard becomes Several delegates recommended, UEFA’s 14th honorary member, joining Lennart Johansson congratulates Gerhard Aigner, Hans Bangerter, Jean Fournet-Fayard on becoming however, that the matter should be an honorary member of UEFA. given due reflection and that the Sandor Barcs, Egidius Braun, Des Casey, and the late Jacques Georges (honorary president), Jos. Coler, José Crahay, proposal should be considered from Artemio Franchi, Sir Bert Millichip, Sir Stanley Rous, Nikolay Ryashentsev the perspective of EURO 2016. and Lucien Schmidlin. The congress also received Gerhard Aigner, Hans Bangerter and Des Casey were present at the a status report on the HatTrick pro- congress in Düsseldorf. gramme and approved the second The following day, the list of honorary members grew when Lennart such programme, which will run from Johansson was given the status of honorary president. 2008 to 2012, and for which a bud- get of EUR 450 million is envisaged, Eight other awards were presented: corresponding to a 44% increase Ferenc Puskas () was posthumously awarded the UEFA Order compared with the first programme. of Merit in emerald, while the Order of Merit in ruby was bestowed on Last but not least, the con- the late Kazimierz Gorski (Poland) as well as Hans Reitinger (Austria) and gress approved the report of the UEFA Nikita Simonian (Russia). Executive Committee and Chief Exec- Recipients of the Order of Merit in diamond were Jean Appietto utive, as well as the 2005/06 financial (France), the late Giacinto Facchetti (Italy), Jozef Venglos (Slovakia) and report and the budget for 2007/08. Josep Lluis Vilaseca i Guasch (Spain).

05 The Executive Committee at its Quotes from meeting in Düsseldorf the day the congress before the congress. Germany’s minister of the interior, Wolfgang Schäuble, recalled the fantas- tic atmosphere that reigned in Germany during last summer’s World Cup finals. He also emphasised the role and importance of sport: way and Scotland were awarded the five- “In times of change, First meeting of the star rating, while Denmark received four sport unites people. year for the stars. In addition, eight new national It also plays a role in associations joined the charter, which fighting racism, facili- Executive Committee they signed in Düsseldorf: Finland, Malta, tates integration and The Executive Committee held also teaches the rules of equality and , , fair play.” its first meeting of the year in Düssel- Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and Wales. He also stressed the need for sport dorf on 24 January, the day before the In other business, the Executive to be autonomous and free, reassuring opening of the XXXI Ordinary UEFA Committee approved the organisation of the audience that “the German govern- Congress. a competition between clubs from the ment will be guided by these principles With Lennart Johansson in the during its presidency of the European three Baltic states. The participants will Union.” chair, the Executive Committee dealt be the top four teams from each of the as usual with a variety of current issues, domestic leagues of Estonia, Latvia and Theo Zwanziger, president of the including interference by the political Lithuania. Approval was given on an ex- German football association, was proud authorities in more than one national perimental basis, and the situation will that the World Cup had association, something the committee be reviewed after the first edition. The helped Germany to change the rest of the firmly opposes. In contrast, the committee allocation of places for UEFA competi- world's perception of it. welcomed the creation of the European tions will not be affected in any way He also praised all the Professional Football Strategy Forum, by this competition but will continue to spouses who support whose first meeting took place in Nyon depend on domestic competitions. their partners and allow in January (a report will follow in a future The committee also agreed to them to fulfil their roles issue). It was also pleased to note the increase from 22 to 23 the number of as leaders of national associations. success of the Top Executive Programme, players on the squad list for the 2006/07 which had been well received by the European Under-21 Championship final In his message, the FIFA president, leaders of the national associations, for round. The list is to be submitted ten Joseph S. Blatter, said: “Football must whom it had been designed. instead of the previous 15 days before speak with a single The Executive Committee also the start of the competition. The coeffi- voice,” adding that hailed the development of grassroots cient rankings of the associations for the “we need world solu- tions.” He also declared football in accordance with the correspon- 2007-09 edition will also be drawn up to that “sport belongs to ding UEFA charter. Here it approved a star take account of the particular format of everyone, and solutions rating system, based on the criteria met the current edition. for football have to by the signatory member associations. ■ Immediately after the Congress, come from within the The criteria taken into consideration are the Executive Committee held its first game.” the existence of grassroots structures, meeting in its new composition, with Lennart Johansson stressed the services and a grassroots football philoso- Michel Platini in the chair. He decided, importance of the national associations: phy (one star), the number of social and however, to defer the appointment of “They form the foundations disability sport programmes (two star), the vice-presidents and treasurer until of the football pyramid the number of participating players (three another meeting. The Committee in Europe and the spe- star), the number of girls (four star), and accepted the request of the associations cial link that unites football in our conti- promotional events such as festivals of Andorra and San Marino to enter a nent. It is clear to me,” designed to increase the number of par- club for the UEFA Champions League he added, “that if the ticipants (five star). qualifying stage. UEFA’s new member roots are not looked Among the pilot associations, association, Montenegro, will also be after, football will suffer , Germany, the Netherlands, Nor- entitled to a place in the qualifiers. at all other levels.”

Addressing the delegates before the elections, Michel Platini declared that “football is a game before a product, a sport before a market, a show before a business.” He insisted that “we are fortunate to hold something pre- cious in our hands, and we must protect it, defend it and help it

to flourish.” PHOTOS: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

The representatives of the new signatories to the UEFA grassroots charter. 06 uefadirect 2.07 It is not Jamie Shea always easy and Owen to run Hargreaves. a press conference. NACKSTRAND/AFP/GETTY IMAGES UEFA

various sessions that would probably have been extremely interesting for the Media Managers average supporter. One of the guest speakers was Jamie Shea, NATO spokes- man during the Balkan conflict. His ‘memoirs’ of how he dealt with the Meet in Munich daily media briefings – media grillings Ready for everything might have been a more accurate description – provided a fascinating THE SUPERB NEW ARENA IN MUNICH WAS A PERFECT SETTING FOR THE insight into the personal and organisa- 4TH UEFA CONFERENCE FOR MEDIA OFFICERS, HELD IN THE BAVARIAN CAPITAL tional demands which have to be met when the global media are focused JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WITH FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN PRODUCING on a major news event. AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AS THE ‘HOME TEAM’, CAPTAINED BY THE The conference ended with a CLUB’S DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARKUS HÖRWICK. more football-specific session featuring the English FA’s media director, Adrian Markus is a familiar face to FC Bayern and the Arena were so high Bevington, alongside a trio of FC Bayern German TV viewers, but most of the that the participants thoroughly enjoyed personalities: Markus Hörwick, execu- media officers from 45 national associa- the event, no matter how hard they tive board chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- tions and the leading club sides from were made to work. menigge and English international mid- the UEFA Champions League play a With the aim of stimulating max- fielder Owen Hargreaves. They jointly backstage role in stage-managing the imum exchanges of experience and ideas, reviewed a series of real and imaginary ‘media circus’ and performing tasks that media officers from UEFA, national asso- crisis situations and gave their views on range from organising press conferences ciations and clubs were blended into how each of them should be handled to making sure that the right players eight teams, each of which went through in media terms. As one of the partici- are in front of the right cameras at the a programme of eight 90-minute mod- pants remarked, “Some people in other right times for all the post-match TV ules, some of which went to ‘extra-time’ walks of life may have to deal with interviews. They are the unseen ‘kitchen and ‘penalties’. Each working session one or two crises during their entire staff’ behind the menu that is served focused on case studies, given that one working lives. But in football we have to the public. So much of the conference of the fundamental requirements for a to be ready to deal with one every and the workshop preceding it for UEFA’s media officer is to react positively to the week!” It is to be hoped that this is own media officers was about ways most adverse conditions. an exaggeration, but the participants of improving, developing and upgrading For this reason, the final day undoubtedly left Munich much better the multifarious aspects of work in the was devoted to ‘crisis management’ and prepared for facing the worst… media backroom. Not many supporters will have any idea about how much thought goes, for instance, into positioning TV cam- eras without ‘killing’ too many spectator seats; what is required to stage a suc- cessful press conference; how to offer a hundred or so photographers the best conditions for doing their job; or how many problems may have to be solved when it comes to setting up an effective ‘mixed zone’ where TV, radio and written press reporters can collect post-match comments from the players. The fact that the squad of media officers was training in the Arena from 8.30 a.m. until 10 p.m. offers some idea of how much work needs to be done and how much intensive effort was put into the conference. But it has to be said that UEFA the standards of hospitality offered by An ideal work environment for the media managers.

07 Liverpool Celtic will need the have talent of qualified for the if they want knockout to topple round title-holders for the Barcelona. first time. PA/EMPICS ELLIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES UEFA

Having come up against Arsenal Champions (Fredrik Ljungberg, No. 8) in the group matches, Porto (Paulo Assunçao) now have to face another formidable team, Chelsea.

Ronaldo has been confined to the bench without detriment to the club’s fantastic League striking potential. Bayern, on the back of two consecutive German league and cup Destination Olympia doubles, have managed to remain fron- trunners despite the loss of Michael Ballack ON 23 MAY, LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER STAGING THE OLYMPIC GAMES, to Chelsea. Led by the “eternal” Oliver WILL HOST THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL. HOWEVER, Kahn (37), the team appears well-bal- anced and effective in all departments, THE ROAD TO GREECE IS STILL LONG AND TREACHEROUS FOR THE 16 SURVIVORS even though Lukas Podolski, who joined WHO WILL COMPETE IN WHAT PROMISES TO BE AN ENTHRALLING FIRST from Cologne in the summer (and was one of the revelations of the World Cup), KNOCK-OUT ROUND (20/21 FEBRUARY AND 6/7 MARCH). has not yet found his best form.

One of the last two winners of Barcelona will present a fascinating Opposite directions? the UEFA Champions League will be miss- contrast in styles when they meet in the Celtic (one trophy) and AC Milan ing from the quarter-final line-up. Liverpool, last 16. The precision, physical strength (six titles) are also both former winners winners in 2005, and current holders and counter-attacks of Rafael Benitez’ of the competition. However, this is the men will come up against the sophisticat- first time the club, untouchable ed, all-attacking game played by the at domestic level, has managed to qualify Ruud van Nistelrooy is merciless in spearheading brilliant individuals who make from the Champions League group the Real attack. up ’s team. Liver- phase. Coach is pool had fewer problems than largely responsible for this success, Barcelona in the group phase. supported by the pacy Kenny Miller, However, the expected returns the uncompromising Thomas Gravesen of Lionel Messi and goal machine and the free kicks of Shunsuke Samuel Eto’o should add to the attacking Nakamura. Milan, meanwhile, possibly potency of ’s team-mates. Will knocked by the scandal in which they the talented Steven Gerrard and acrobatic were embroiled in the summer (along Peter Crouch have enough to stop the with numerous other Italian clubs), have “blaugrana” in their tracks? had a disappointing start to the season. Certain big-name players such as Paolo Trophies galore Maldini, , Cafu and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are not as young as they have won 13 Champions’ Cups/Cham- used to be. However, there is so much pions League titles between them (9 for talent in the “rossonero” squad that Madrid, 4 for Bayern). Deprived of a anything is possible. trophy for the past three seasons, the Spaniards have turned to . Mourinho faces old friends By signing world champion Fabio Can- In the space of two years, José navaro and half-backs Emerson and Ma- Mourinho led FC Porto to victory in the hamadou Diarra, the Italian coach has UEFA Cup and Champions League, a feat placed particular emphasis on tightening which resulted in his recruitment by the Madrid defence. Following the arrival Chelsea. After two titles,

GETTY IMAGES of the ruthless Ruud van Nistelrooy, he has his heart set on winning the

08 uefadirect 2.07 PSV Eindhoven Matthieu can count on some Chalme (right) new strength, took a step as provided by the in the right likes of Peruvian direction by Jefferson Farfan helping Lille (right, up against beat AC Milan Galatasaray (Yoann defender Ohran Ak). Gourcuff) in Italy. BLIJDENSTEIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES FLASH PRESS

each other again in the spring. Claude who left, to be surprisingly Puel’s men have reached the last 16 for replaced by Ronald Koeman. PSV are the first time, a fine reward for a club and breaking away in the Dutch league thanks a coach who, despite limited resources, to an attacking style of football in which are a model of consistency. With no real youngsters Farfan and Kone (the club’s stars – although Mathieu Bodmer and top scorers) are prominent. Midfielder Peter Odemwingie are excellent players – Ismail Assaiti, who is only 18, is also

EMPICS SABATTINI Lille’s strength lies in their close-knit team beginning to come to the fore.

A determined Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing mentality. United (with two for FC Internazionale. Champions’ Cup/Champions League titles First meeting under their belts) are regular qualifiers for The last 16 encounter between the knock-out stages. Top of the English AS Roma and is Champions League, which will mean league, ’s team is profiting the only tie between two clubs who knocking out his former team in the last from the rapid progress of Cristiano have never won the Champions League. 16. The London side always generates Ronaldo and – who with These teams, who both play an attack- an unusual sense of power, organisation form a formidable attacking ing game, have never faced each other and confidence. Yet there is considerable trio – as well as an excellent season for in European competition. Roma – room for improvement, since Michael “old stagers” and . Champions’ Cup finalists in 1984 but Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, who who have never reached the quarter- joined in the summer, have yet to hit top Youth is king finals of the Champions League – are form. Porto, now coached by Jesualdo Finalists last year, Arsenal will face performing well in . Led by Ferreira, are dominating the Portuguese 1988 winners PSV Eindhoven in a match in-form Francesco Totti, they appear to title race. The way they move the ball in which youth will play a prominent part. be the only club capable of challenging around is always a sight to behold, while Following the departure or retirement Inter. Lyon, for their part, are having it goalkeeper Helton has become the Bra- of Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Sol all their own way in . With their zilian national team’s first choice. “Will- Campbell, even greater responsibility sixth successive title apparently a for- o’-the-wisp” Quaresma and the powerful now lies on the shoulders of youngsters mality, Juninho and his team-mates will Helder Postiga are dangerous when attack- Cesc Fabregas, Johan Djourou, Philippe be concentrating on the Champions ing their opponents’ goal. But Mourinho Senderos and Robin van Persie. Will it League. The team plays virtually with its is bound to know all about this… prove too much? The absence through eyes closed and has no obvious weak- injury of Thierry Henry may also explain the nesses. It is therefore more than capable History on their side rather disappointing start to the season of progressing further than the quarter- Over the last five years, FC Inter- for the “Gunners”. Meanwhile, PSV Eind- finals, where the club has fallen in each nazionale have won all three of their two- hoven are used to losing their best players of the last three seasons. legged European ties with Valencia. This every season. This summer it was coach Emanuele Saraceno season’s Milan team (twice winners of the Champions’ Cup) seems confident of re- peating these successes. The “nerazzurri” were able to draw on their large, techni- cally gifted squad in order to achieve a new record number of consecutive Serie Francesco Totti A victories. Even with Adriano out of is crucial to the success of AS Roma. form, Inter also managed to come back from two opening defeats in the Cham- pions League. Valencia are not quite as consistent, but are still capable of playing some beautiful football. Their attacking duo of Fernando Morientes (top scorer in the first phase of the Champions League alongside Kaka and Didier Drogba) and David Villa is highly effective.

Inevitable opponents Lille cannot complete a Cham- pions League season without facing Manchester United. They met in the group

phase in 2001 and 2005 and will face GETTY IMAGES

09 An instructive Ideas for discussion the future with UEFA’s chief of women’s executive, football. Lars-Christer Olsson. 2nd UEFA Elite Women’s

ExchangeCoaches of ideas Forumin Nyon

ON 13 DECEMBER, COACHES OF NATIONAL SENIOR AND YOUTH WOMEN’S TEAMS AND FROM WOMEN’S CLUB FOOTBALL

MET IN NYON TO EXCHANGE IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS AND EXPERIENCES.

“We want one voice!” said Football Committee, said that initial European Women’s Championship: , launching the event. feedback would have to be sought general satisfaction UEFA’s technical director urged the first. In view of the encouraging num- As far as the senior competi- participants to use the forum to make ber of associations that had entered tions are concerned, the participants new contacts, exchange opinions on the first edition (40), she thought that were happy with the changes to the current developments in women’s the format of the tournament would European Women’s Championship, football and, not least, to put forward soon need to be adjusted. particularly the expansion of the final proposals that could be submitted Other matters for discussion round to 12 teams. Some national to the UEFA chief executive and Execu- included the number of rest days coaches, such as Michael Kåld (Finland), tive Committee. during youth tournaments and the suggested improvements for the growing number of injuries. organisation of the final round in terms Changes to UEFA women’s Vera Pauw, member of of hotels and training grounds, which tournaments the UEFA Technical Study Group, should no longer be shared by more The participants welcomed described a new physical training pro- than one team. the creation of the new European Un- gramme recently introduced in the The participants also dis- der-17 Championship and hoped that Netherlands. Players received a train- cussed whether the UEFA Women’s the final round would quickly be en- ing plan, which included regular Cup final should be held at a neutral larged to include eight teams. Karen exercises at home. This had led to a venue. The majority of the participants Espelund, chair of the UEFA Women’s fall in the number of injuries. thought it was still too early for this. Czech national coach Dusan Zovinec thought that central and east European clubs needed support and that it would be good for the competition if it was not always the same teams competing for the title.

Coaching tools Andy Roxburgh described several aids that could make a coach’s life easier. The “Amisco Tracking System” was a computer programme that recorded statistical data during a match, making it possible, for example, to see how many kilometres a player covered, how often they touched the ball, what kind of passes they played, etc. Carolina Morace, Italian national coach at the 2005 European Cham- PHOTOS: UEFA-pjwoods.ch

A good-humoured discussion between Beatrice von Siebenthal (Switzerland), pionship finals in England, hailed the Anna Signeul (Scotland) and Silvia Neid (Germany). system as a useful – albeit expensive –

10 uefadirect 2.0711.06 ???????????????

The qualifying groups 30 teams will be taking part in the group matches between April 2007 and October 2008. Only the group winners qualify directly for the final round in Finland in 2009. The six group runners-up and the best four third-placed teams will have to contest play-offs to determine the five other finalists. Finland qualify automatically as host nation.

Vera Pauw presented the fitness programme used in the Netherlands. tool for analysing an opponent’s As far as coaches were con- tactics. Other aids included the UEFA cerned, the lack of qualified coaches extranet, where registered coaches – was considered to be a serious prob- there are around 450 at present – lem. In most associations, women are could find technical reports, training integrated into the men’s coaching exercises and various other articles, courses, which is a problem in an or the Tactfoot software, which could environment still dominated by men, be used to demonstrate exercises particularly in the A and Pro licence on a computer screen. From April, training courses. Some associations The draw was conducted by Karen Espelund, .com would also include a new now offer courses specifically for chairwoman of the Women’s Football “Training Ground” section, containing women. According to Silvia Neid, the Committee, and Lars-Christer Olsson. the e-learning modules, training new German national coach, it is very The draw on 13 December ideas, videos and other useful bits important to encourage players to drew the 30 teams concerned into and pieces. train to be coaches while they are still the following groups: playing. There are many benefits when Development activities talented youngsters are coached by Group 1 Group 2 On the subject of player former stars. “The players look up to England Sweden development, several participants de- you,” said the former German interna- Czech Republic Italy scribed the current situation in their tional, who knows what she is talking Spain Hungary own countries. Many associations are about from her own experience. Belarus Republic of Ireland trying to open up their academies to the most talented girls. France is Development plan Northern Ireland Romania one of the forerunners in this respect. The forum was immediately Group 3 Group 4 National coach Elisabeth Loisel followed by the draw for the group explained the French model, which phase of the 2007-09 European France Germany involves cooperation between schools Championship. The 16 teams elimi- Iceland Netherlands and clubs as well as the academies. nated in the qualifying round will Serbia Switzerland The Swedish member of the Technical have no competitive matches for two Greece Belgium Study Group, Anna Signeul, thought years. Karen Espelund announced Slovenia Wales that the growing number of partici- that the associations concerned would pants meant that not just the associa- receive support from experienced Group 5 Group 6 tions but also the clubs – even at elite coaches, who would make themselves Denmark Norway level – needed to become more profes- available to run courses or training Ukraine Russia sional: “We are generating interest, but modules in the respective countries. we are failing to properly look after the The forum participants welcomed Scotland Poland people who are showing an interest”. this proposal. Portugal Austria Slovakia Israel

11 The presi- Baba Sakho (far right) Gines dents of presents the trophy Meléndez, UEFA and to the captains of the Inaki Saez the CAF four European teams and Juan sign the after Europe’s victory Santisteban Meridian in 2005. With him is are in charge Charter Jim Boyce, chairman of of coaching in January the Youth & Amateur the European 1997 Football Committee. team. UEFA in . UEFA UEFA-pjwoods.ch

most promising Under-18 players from both continents. Two teams will therefore face each other on 27 February and 1 Meridian March 2007 at the Estadi Mini Nou Camp in matches which will be just as exciting and probably more closely fought than in the past. The event will also pro- vide a chance to discover a new genera- tion of gifted footballers with their sub- Cup tle dummies and amazing skills; in other A new direction words, a fascinating glimpse of how the future of world football is shaping up. for its tenth birthday While the format has changed, the spirit of togetherness and friendship THIS EUROPEAN/AFRICAN EVENT, TO BE HELD IN BARCELONA FROM 26 FEBRUARY which defines the Meridian Cup remains in place. For example, as in the past, the TO 1 MARCH, WILL HAVE A BRAND NEW LOOK, REFLECTING CHANGES MADE TO THE players from both squads will stay at the MERIDIAN PROJECT AS A WHOLE. same hotel, where they will be able to make new friends and enrich their per- The Meridian Project is currently As the flagship event of this sonal development. Baba Sakho, who led being overhauled for the first time, well-established project, the Meridian the African delegation at the last edition a decade after it was launched as Cup, the fifth edition of which will of the competition, said concerning the a joint initiative between UEFA be contested in Catalonia at the Meridian programme as a whole: “I have and CAF. The past achievements end of February, also has a com- never witnessed any form of racism since of the project are extremely en- pletely new format. Here we spot- the project was launched. On the contrary, couraging in many different areas: light the changes and details of this it brings people together and helps them improvements in terms of admin- intercontinental competition. forge links with each other. However, it is istration and organisation, as well The event will no longer important that this spirit is strengthened as significant progress in the fields of take the form of a tournament between further, since racism is simply the fear of coaching, refereeing, infrastructure the top eight Under-17 teams from other cultures. If people are open-minded and sports medicine. Europe and Africa, but will involve the and ready to embrace others, racism will disappear.” In order that the spectators can also play their part by supporting the players on both sides, they will each receive a bandana and a match pro- gramme. These souvenirs will be cher- ished by the thousands of Catalan school- children who have been invited to attend this great occasion. Present on the field of play, fra- ternity and respect will also no doubt be apparent during the technical conference being organised in parallel. Bringing to- Some exciting football gether one national youth team coach is on the cards from each of the 52 UEFA and 53 CAF in Barcelona. member associations, this inaugural con- ference will focus on the development of elite youth players and on various current trends. Theoretical content will be com- bined with observation of training sessions of the FC Barcelona youth team, visits to the stadium for the Meridian Cup matches and discussion forums. In other words, the stage is set for a wonderful celebration and fruit- ful discussions, and all of this in the year when CAF is celebrating its golden

UEFA jubilee!

12 uefadirect 2.07 Jim Boyce presented the fair play trophies to Gerard Piqué, captain of Spain’s Under-19s (left) and Björn Kopplin, captain of Germany’s Under-17s. UEFA-pjwoods.ch UEFA-pjwoods.ch Report from Competitions Brussels UEFA has made significant progress in its efforts to improve the EU’s proposals for a new EU and other activities directive on audiovisual media serv- Barcelona reach ices (formerly known as the ‘TV without Frontiers’ directive). On 13 the final in Tokyo December, the European Parliament THE CLUB WORLD CUP TOOK PLACE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN DECEMBER voted on the document for the IN TOKYO, THE SECOND TIME IT HAD BEEN HELD THERE SINCE IT REPLACED first time, and MEPs agreed on more than 150 amendments to the text THE EUROPEAN/SOUTH AMERICAN CUP. proposed one year ago by the Euro- FC Barcelona, who were repre- Youth competition pean Commission. European foot- senting Europe as UEFA Champions League ball will benefit from some of the title-holders, got off to a thundering start, draws in Nyon changes. beating America from Mexico 4-0 in On 5 December, draws for For UEFA and its members, the the semi-finals on 14 December. The day the 2006/07 UEFA youth competitions before, SC Internacional de Porto Alegre were made at UEFA’s headquarters most important part of the directive from Brazil had had a less easy ride into in Nyon. is Article 3b, which deals with short the final, but still made it, to the detri- The men’s and women’s Under- news reports on events of high ment of Ahly from Egypt, who the Brazil- 19 Championships, as well as the (men’s) public interest, including sporting ian side beat 2-1. European Under-17 Championship have fixtures. The Commission’s original reached their penultimate stage. proposal read as follows: On the occasion of the draws, the fair play prizes for last year’s competi- 1. “Member States shall ensure that, tions were presented to the captains of for the purposes of short news the winning teams, who also assisted reports, broadcasters established with the draws. The prizes were won by in other Member States are not Spain (Under-19s), France (Women’s deprived of access on a fair, rea- Under-19s) and Germany (Under-17s). sonable and non-discriminatory Under-19 elite round basis to events of high interest to Group 1: Hungary, Republic the public which are transmitted of Ireland, Germany, Bulgaria; by a broadcaster under their Group 2: Italy, Croatia, Sweden, jurisdiction. Greece; 2. Short news reports may be

AFP/YAMANAKA Group 3: England, Czech chosen freely by the broadcasters Ronaldinho gives four opponents the slip Republic, Russia, Netherlands; in Barcelona’s semi-final against America. Group 4: Scotland, Portugal, from the transmitting broad- Turkey, Georgia; On 17 December, at the Yoko- caster’s signal with at least the Group 5: Spain, Norway, hama stadium, the organisation and identification of their source.” Iceland, Azerbaijan; determination of the Brazilians managed Group 6: Israel, France, UEFA has argued since the begin- to thwart every attempt of the Spanish Slovakia, Poland; ning that Article 3b would be a case team. Skilful on the counterattack, the Group 7: Romania, Serbia, South Americans bided their time before of bad regulation. At no point has Switzerland, Denmark. clinching the tie, with Adriano scoring the European Commission presented (Tournament hosts shown in bold.) the only goal of the match with less than clear evidence of the need to regu- ten minutes to go until the final whistle. The tournaments will take place late this area, and it has never between 8 May and 6 June. After FC São Paulo’s victory last explained how the public is in any year, the trophy has returned to Brazil, The seven group winners qualify way deprived of news. A clear making Porto Alegre the third Brazilian for the final round in Austria from 16 to team to win it, Corinthians having won it 27 July. majority of stakeholders, including in 2000, when the competition was played Spain are the reigning many broadcasters and UEFA’s coali- in Brazil in a different format. champions. tion of sports federations, has ➜

13 The draws ➜ were made expressed its satisfaction with the in the auditorium current legal framework. At best, at UEFA’s headquarters. therefore, Article 3b would be un- necessary. At worst, it would create legal uncertainty, undermine exist- ing arrangements, and threaten UEFA-pjwoods.ch investment in sport. After a long and hard-fought Under-17 elite round third-placed teams) go through to campaign, UEFA and 12 other sports Group 1: Germany, Republic the final round in Iceland from 18 to federations have succeeded in of Ireland, Greece, Scotland; 29 July. encouraging MEPs to pro- Group 2: Ukraine, Italy, Slovakia, Germany are the reigning pose a number of small Czech Republic; champions. but important changes to Group 3: England, Serbia, Bosnia the text. UEFA worked and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan; UEFA on show closely with Ruth Hiero- Group 4: Netherlands, Turkey, in Marseilles Wales, Belarus; nymi, the German MEP in Group 5: France, Hungary, As a partner of the charge of the directive in Norway, Finland; Foot&Co football fair, UEFA was Ruth Hieronymi the European Parliament. Group 6: Portugal, Northern again present at the event held The new changes to Article 3b Ireland, Russia, Iceland; in Marseilles on 8, 9 and 10 Decem- state that short news reports should Group 7: Spain, Poland, ber. In an area devoted entirely to the presentation of its activi- be: Switzerland, Sweden. The tournaments will take place ties, UEFA illustrated its commit- ■ “without prejudice to existing between 21 and 31 March. ment to the promotion and devel- contractual agreements between The seven group winners go opment of European football. broadcasters and without under- through to the final round in Belgium An exhibition gave the mining exclusive rights”; from 2 to 13 May. 21,000 visitors the opportunity to ■ used “exclusively for general news Russia are the reigning relive the 50 years of the European programmes”; champions. Champion Clubs’ Cup and UEFA Champions League. The UEFA Cham- ■ “without prejudice to the obliga- Women’s Under-19 second pions League trophy was also on tion of individual broadcasters to qualifying round display. respect copyright legislation…” Group 1: England, Czech A majority of MEPs agreed on all Republic, Austria, Ukraine; of these changes during the Decem- Group 2: France, Republic of ber vote in Strasbourg. The final Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal; text is by no means perfect, but it Group 3: Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Hungary; marks a real improvement on some Group 4: Norway, Denmark, of the earlier drafts that were in Belgium, Romania; circulation. Group 5: Wales, Finland, Poland, The legislative process now moves Russia; to the Council of Ministers, where Group 6: Spain, Switzerland, the 27 EU member states are repre- Italy, Serbia. sented. National culture ministers The tournaments will take place have been discussing the same text between 10 and 15 April. of the directive, including Article 3b, The six group winners as well UEFA The UEFA stand at the fair in Marseilles. since the summer of 2006. They aim as the best runners-up (determined based on the results of the group runners-up to reach their own agreement on Alongside, the different against the respective group winners and actions taken by UEFA to combat dop- the directive by May. At that point, ing and racism were also explained, it will be clear how far apart the as were its assistance programmes, its positions of the European Parliament dialogue with the European Commis- and Council are, and how much sion in favour of the specific develop- work remains to be done to agree ment of sport, and its vision for foot- on the final text of the directive. ball for the next decade. In the first few weeks of 2007, A special area was devoted the UEFA administration will be visit- to UEFA’s anti-doping programme. A video showing a doping test, leaflets, ing key ministry officials in several posters and other documents were member states and doing its utmost distributed. Visitors were also invited to improve the Council text so that UEFA-pjwoods.ch to take part in an anti-doping quiz, an European sports rights-holders are Susanne Erlandsson, vice-chairman of the Women’s Foot- ball Committee, presents the fair play trophy to Caroline interactive game in which they could properly protected. Pizzala, captain of France’s women’s Under-19 team. test their knowledge and win a prize.

14 uefadirect 2.07 Lennart Grigoriy Surkis, Johansson president of signs the the Ukrainian FA, visitors’ book. holds the symbolic key to the new headquarters.

digital video recording from eight TV channels. The archived video informa- New headquarters tion content totals two Tbytes. Each office can boast sets capable of pick- ing up standard analogue and digital for the Ukrainian FA closed-circuit telecasts alike. Inauguration The computer and television networks were designed and installed of the House of Football by INCOM. The in-house digital mini- printing office can satisfy the FFU’s 29 NOVEMBER 2006 WAS THE DATE OF THE OFFICIAL INAUGURATION needs in printing graphic art material. It is equipped with digital colour and BY THE UKRAINIAN FA (FFU) OF A HOUSE OF FOOTBALL WHICH FORMS PART black-and-white printing machines. OF THE FFU TRAINING COMPLEX NAMED AFTER VICTOR M. BANNIKOV. In front of the building there is a foun- tain and a car park for 100 vehicles. The project has been realised The House of Football is a five- On the second floor are the with financial assistance from UEFA storey, self-sufficient building equipped offices of the FFU’s six standing com- and FIFA under the HatTrick and Goal with a heating and air-conditioning sys- mittees and five affiliated associations. programmes respectively, as well as with tem of its own. Up-to-date facing and In front of the panoramic lift, in the domestic investments. building materials have been used for its hall, is an FFU football museum Attending the festivities on construction. There are 250 work places with football artefacts, trophies, pho- the occasion of the inauguration were in all. There are five express lifts, two of tos and a visitors’ book. Also situated the elite of Europe’s footballing leader- which command a panoramic view of the here is the main boardroom with ship, as represented top FIFA and UEFA Olympic national sports complex. 181 seats, a 16-seater meeting room, officials and managers, as well as nation- The building features four con- and the departments that take care al politicians, public figures and former ference halls with computer facilities, of the vital activities and development football celebrities. On a lovely autumn screens and overhead projectors, and two of the FFU: Planning & Finance, Admin- day, the FFU’s new headquarters were of the halls are also fitted out with state- istration & Planning, Sports Event inaugurated by highly esteemed guests of-the art simultaneous interpreting Management and FFU Infrastructure such as the UEFA president, Lennart equipment. All rooms and auditoriums in Development, as well as the Interna- Johansson; the FIFA general secretary, the building are equipped with ad and tional Affairs department, whose task Urs Linsi; UEFA Executive Committee info data display systems. is to maintain communication with member Michel Platini; and representa- Using its four satellite dishes, the UEFA and FIFA. tives of 32 UEFA member associations, television studio can concurrently make a Valery Nikonenko mostly from eastern Europe. Among those who also graced the event with their presence were top- ranking Ukrainian government officials, a spokesman for Ukraine’s supreme coun- cil (parliament), the A and Under-21 na- tional coaches, and Oleksiy Mykhailychenko, as well as Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s wife, Adelaida Pankrati- yivna, and his daughter Svitlana.

Impressive architecture All the guests were well im- pressed by the architecture of the build- ing. The UEFA president stressed in par- ticular that UEFA’s operational principles lay in all of its members adopting best practices. “We all can take the Ukrainian House of Football as an example,” he

told media representatives. And one can PHOTOS: FFU hardly doubt the sincerity of his words. The new building has office space for 250 people.

15 AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN

Plenty of highlights for football New year present fans in 2007! for Azerbaijani football The year before EURO 2008 is staged The FA of Azerbaijan moved from the in Austria and Switzerland will be full of office it had been renting since summer highlights for Austrian football enthusi- 2004 to its brand-new headquarters dur- BFF asts. In December, the Austrian FA (ÖFB) ing the first weekend of December. Gennady Nevyglas, president announced some prestigious friendly UEFA and FIFA offered a great deal of the Belarus FA, presents Lldia Hleb with matches in preparation for the event of of support to the project and the leader- the prize awarded to her son, Alexandr. the century. The national team coached ship of the association is most grateful to by Josef Hickersberger will host Ghana, both organisations for their generous performance by a Belarusian pop star, spe- who reached the last 16 of the World Cup assistance. cially prepared documentaries about foot- and include Chelsea superstar Mickael The association’s new headquarters is ball and a fabulous laser show, which Essien, in Graz on 24 March, before fac- a modern five-storey building. Every de- delighted the audience and earned their ing World Cup finalists France in a partment has separate, comfortably fur- enthusiastic applause. few days later. The Scottish “Tartan Army” nished offices fully equipped with the lat- As far as the awards go, Igor Kriu- will visit at the end of May, while est information and telecommunication shenko, coach of league champions Innsbruck’s Tivoli stadium will host a technologies, including a separate inter- BATE Borisov was named Belarusian coach match against Chelsea star Didier Drogba net line for fast access. The rooms are of the year, while the best three foot- and his Côte d’Ivoire colleagues on 17 Oc- large, light and air-conditioned. In short, ballers of Belarus were Alexandr Hleb tober. The red and whites will play a total the new building has everything that the (Arsenal FC, London), followed by Sergey of 12 matches in 2007. It remains to be FA of Azerbaijan needs for better effi- Kornilenko (FC Dnipro, Ukraine) and seen whether further attractive opponents ciency, and is the best present it could Alexandr Kulchij (FC Tom, Russia). such as Germany and the Netherlands have hoped for as it starts the new year. Siarhei Novysh (both former European champions will Ravil Asadov play in Austria in early 2008) can be se- cured for additional friendlies. The ÖFB has also strengthened its staff BELGIUM team in preparation for the European Championship. The new deputy general secretary, Reinhard Nachbagauer, former New general secretary appointed chairman of the Austrian , is a A new general secretary was elected at real expert. Another two qualified staff the headquarters of the Belgian Football members, Stefan Illek and Claudia Pekar, Association (URBSFA) on 22 December. have also been recruited to take respon- The election was held to find a replace- sibility for the ÖFB’s communications re- ment for Jean-Paul Houben, who has de- lating to the various EURO 2008 themes cided to leave the URBSFA on 31 August. from January 2007. A profile had been drawn up for his suc- Incidentally, Austria will experience the cessor and the successful candidate had

excitement of a European Championship AFFA to meet numerous criteria, including the in 2007, since the European Under-19 The new headquarters of the FA of Azerbaijan. need for charisma, to be a good commu- Championship final round will be held in nicator and, if possible, to know how the Linz, Steyr, Ried and Pasching from 16 to URBSFA functions and be able to develop 27 July. good relations with UEFA and FIFA. A to- Peter Klinglmüller BELARUS

2006 closing ceremony The Belarus FA has a good tradition of holding a ceremony to close the football season at the end of the year. At this great gathering, the best footballers, coaches, referees and others are rewarded. The event is not, however, just a review of the past season and an awards cere- mony. First of all, it is a football celebra- tion for those who worked hard during the year for the welfare of our favourite sport; it is a friendly get-together where one-time rivals on the pitch can raise a glass of champagne and discuss problems as friends, or just joke, laugh and enjoy ÖFB PHOTO NEWS themselves. PHOTO NEWS Didier Drogba and his Côte d’Ivoire team-mates It is a large-scale event that requires a Jean-Paul Houben (left) in discussion with have a match lined up in Austria. similar level of organisation to put on a his successor, Jean-Marie Philips.

16 uefadirect 2.07 fromN memberEWS associations tal of 15 applications were received be- football league and fourth vice-president His appointment is a crowning mo- fore the deadline of 30 November and an of the URBSFA, Philips is keen to serve the ment for this 62-year old trained lawyer, initial selection process whittled these Belgian FA to the best of his abilities: “The whose work for the Belgian professional down to five candidates, who were final- federation wants to develop its depart- football league has been widely com- ly separated in an Executive Committee ments. I will particularly deal with those mended. One of his main achievements vote in which Jean-Marie Philips came out I know best: the legal and administra- was to conclude a contract that was high- on top. The current vice-chairman of tive departments.” His plans form part of ly lucrative by Belgian standards with the UEFA’s Professional Football Committee, the Strategic Committee’s vision for the “Belgacom TV” channel, covering the director general of the Belgian professional reform of the URBSFA. rights to televise the Belgian first division from the 2005/06 season for a three-year period. Jean-Marie Philips will work alongside the current general secretary, Jean-Paul Houben, from 1 April before officially re- placing him on 1 September. Initially, he will act as general secretary of the URBS- FA, but will later become its chief execu- tive – following the pattern already set by UEFA – when the regulations have been amended as necessary. Pierre Cornez F. KRVAVAC

The historic general meeting of 21 December. CROATIA

FIFA expressed its satisfaction at a press BOSNIA AND conference after the extraordinary general Third term for Vlatko Markovic HERZEGOVINA meeting: On 16 December, the Croatian Foot- “By adopting this constitution, the FF ball Federation held an elective general BHZ leadership now has the legal frame- Constitution adopted meeting. The four-year report on the work work for good and efficient work and of the executive committee and other At an extraordinary general meeting therefore results. However, most impor- bodies confirms that Croatian football has held on 21 December at the Zetra Olympic tantly, the constitution also makes room made significant progress in all areas. The hall in Sarajevo, the new constitution of for the development of football as a whole, number of clubs and players, especially the Football Federation of Bosnia and and not only the national team. Now foot- youth women’s and club players, Herzegovina (FF BHZ) was adopted, in ball will be closer to all levels of society and referees, coaches and football officials has conformity with FIFA and UEFA standards. to people of all ages.” increased. Major changes to the compe- The constitution came into force within The UEFA delegation also expressed its tition system have produced good results, eight days of its adoption. The entity fed- satisfaction with the outcome: “We have especially the restructuring of the second erations (NS FBH and FS RS) have until 30 been working with your federation for ten division and separation of the third divi- June to adapt their constitutions to the years, and are really pleased that we sion into three groups. As a result, the new FF BHZ constitution. brought our attitudes closer together and competition system is now fully compat- Out of 60 regular delegates for a FF adopted this constitution. We have made ible. Stadium conditions, as well as train- BHZ general meeting, 54 were present, a significant turning point by adopting this ing facilities, have been improved through 35 from the NS FBH and 19 from the FF constitution, and turned another page in RS. All voted unanimously in favour of the the development of football in Bosnia and the application of the club licensing reg- constitution. Therefore, 21 December will Herzegovina. Therefore, today is a historic ulations. In fruitful cooperation with UEFA, go down as a very significant date for the day for football in Bosnia and Herzegovina. the football academy of the Croatian Foot- development of football in Bosnia and There were many delays in getting the con- ball Federation is achieving good results. Herzegovina. stitution completed, but now we can all In addition to the many coaches who have “The new FF BHZ constitution will cer- take a sigh of relief, as we got there in the qualified at amateur level, 65 coaches re- tainly contribute to better work in our foot- end and in time. The new constitution is a cently acquired the UEFA Pro coaching li- ball organisation and demonstrates the concrete, solid and permanent basis for cence. The general meeting also paid spe- unity of our federation. On the basis of this building a stable organisation. Once we cial attention to the further development constitution, we can rapidly improve our have developed the inner workings of the of grassroots football. work and set obligations for all levels and federation, then everything will be in place. However, the crowning glory has been committees within the FF BHZ. UEFA and FIFA are there to help the FF BHZ the results of the Croatian national “A” I would like to thank FIFA and UEFA in the future and to act like a family.” team. The rejuvenated “A” team, with for understanding our problems in chang- After calling for applications for a new a young new technical staff, led by ing the constitution and for finding solu- head coach for the national team, the FF head coach Slaven Bilic, performed excel- tions with us. We overcame all our mis- BHZ executive board appointed Fuad lently in their first EURO 2008 qualifying understandings, and to the satisfaction Muzurovic (1945), who has already served matches. We also have high hopes for the of all of us in Bosnia and Herzegovina in this capacity, having been the first ever Under-19 team, which will play in the elite football, as well as our guests, not only head coach, from 1992 to 1998. His suc- round mini-tournament of the European did we manage to adopt a new FF BHZ cessors were Dzemaludin Musovic (1998- Under-19 Championship. constitution, but we also did so by 31 De- 99), Faruk Hadzibegic (1999), Drago Miso The president of the Croatian Football cember 2006, which was the deadline set Smajlovic (2000-01) and Blaz Sliskovic Federation, Vlatko Markovic, formerly an by UEFA and FIFA,” said Milan Jelic, FF (2002-06). excellent player and international, a very BHZ president. Fuad Krvavac successful coach and head coach, has be- ➜

17 ➜ come the longest serving president of the federation. After two terms already in of- fice, he will be leading the Croatian Foot- GEORGIA ball Federation for a third four-year term. The applause from the floor was a sign of acknowledgment and appreciation for his “New Year Without Drugs” successful management of the federation. tournament Vlatko Markovic’s excellent leadership of A tournament under the slogan of the bid to co-host EURO 2012 with the “New Year Without Drugs” was organ- Football Federation of Hungary is greatly ised by the Georgian Football Federation appreciated. He has received unanimous (GFF) and the fan club of the Georgian na-

support for this project from the Croatian SPL tional team from 15 to 19 December. Sev- parliament and government, the entire Pekka Hämäläinen, president of the SPL, en companies helped finance the event, Croatian public and all those involved in opens the centenary celebrations. in which 12 amateur teams from 12 dif- this complex project. He is also active at ferent organisations took part. The win- UEFA and FIFA levels, as chairman of the will take place on 18 September, also in ners were the team from the Telliani UEFA Technical Development Committee . Valley. The tournament received good and a member of the FIFA Goal Bureau. The centenary will also be commemo- media coverage both on television and in We are certain that the new executive rated by the issue of a special stamp in the press. It was also supported and cov- committee, consisting of 21 members March, a UEFA grassroots seminar in April ered by the GFF’s official website at headed by Vlatko Markovic, will accom- and a centenary book, which was released www.gff.ge. plish high objectives in the further devel- in mid-January. The Finnish Broadcasting At the end of the tournament, awards opment of Croatian football. Company (YLE) will also show a centenary were made to the best player, goalkeep- Ante Pavlovic documentary film at the time of the main er and top scorer, who were also given national reception in May. membership of the Georgian national Sami Terävä team fan club.

ENGLAND

Football to tackle social problems

HNS England head coach Steve McClaren Vlatko Markovic, president of the Croatian FA, was given a glimpse of the work being addresses the meeting after his re-election. done by FA Community Workers as part of The FA HatTrick Programme when he visited Foredyke Primary School in Hull in January. Foredyke Primary School is one of the FINLAND schools within the New Deal Community (NDC) in Hull, which is typical of many es- Centenary year gets under way tates up and down the country and falls in the top two per cent of the index of The FA of Finland (SPL) began its multiple deprivation. centenary year as 2007 got under way, In March 2005, The FA secured £4.5 with celebrations planned throughout million partnership funding from the Gov- the year. ernment and UEFA to fund 19 new Com- The first festivities were arranged by munity Football Workers as part of a the Uusimaa district. All 12 SPL districts three-year regeneration scheme, using THE FA will hold their regional celebrations one football to tackle a wide range of social Back to school for Steve McClaren. after another. The regional events are problems. characterised by rewarding local volun- The role of the local football officers is England coach McClaren was im- teers and club personnel with different to provide football opportunities for young pressed by the work of The FA HatTrick commemorative badges. The flagship is people aged between seven and 16 as programme and added: “Since I’ve been the diamond badge for volunteers who well as helping to develop leaders and at The FA it’s been amazing to learn just have worked within the football family for coaches amongst adults within the com- how much development work goes on at at least 50 years. There is also a gold munity. all levels of the game.” badge (25 years) and silver badge (10 “Without the funding that The FA “Football has a unique opportunity to years), as well as a regular badge for secured from UEFA and Government, involve people from all backgrounds. As everyone with at least two years’ experi- I wouldn’t be doing this job,” said well as keeping you fit and healthy, you ence. Graham Turner, who is an FA Communi- can make friends who could become The SPL’s national main reception will ty Worker from Hull. friends for life.” be held in Helsinki on 19 May. On the “We’re using football as a tool to get The project is typical of The FA’s foot- same day in 1907, the SPL was founded kids off the streets but also to get adults ball development work which sees £30 around the corner from the building onto Level 1 coaching courses. Those million a year invested into the grassroots where the main reception will be taking adults can then help as volunteers so in of the game. place. The main international reception future the project sustains itself.” Nada Grkinic

18 uefadirect 2.07 EWS from member associationsN

The GFF is committed to the key aims team, has gone to Racing in Spain for six of UEFA’s HatTrick assistance programme. months. The LFF also organised a 50th In commemoration of UEFA’s golden ju- LATVIA birthday party for head coach Jurijs An- bilee, the federation received one million drejevs on 16 January, attended by LFF of- Swiss francs for the construction of 70 ficials, employees, media and club repre- mini-pitches and 11 larger ones in differ- Players of the centenary sentatives and others wanting to con- ent parts of the country. All the installa- announced gratulate him on his half-century. tions will be complete in summer 2007. Latvia’s foot- Martins Hartmanis In addition, one of the GFF’s regional of- ballers of the year fices is already finished, while the other 2006 were an- three will be ready soon. nounced at a gala Sandro Tsnobiladze night on 22 De- LIECHTENSTEIN cember, at which the centenary of Latvian football New national coach GERMANY was also celebrat- After Martin Andermatt left the Liecht- ed. The best player enstein Football Association in mid-Octo- of 2006 was Alek- ber after two and a half years’ service, the Integration officer appointed sandrs Kolinko (Ru- LFV had to find his successor. The new na- The leadership of the German Football bin Kazan). The best LFF tional coach would also take on the role Association (DFB) has appointed 43-year 11 players of the of technical director. Just before Christ- old Gül Keskinler as the association’s new whole century were also named, eight of mas, the association’s president, Reinhard integration officer, who joins the DFB ex- them strikers. They are Eriks Petersons Walser, presented new national coach, ecutive committee in an advisory capaci- (Latvian international in the 1920s); Al- Hans-Peter Zaugg, to the media. “Zaugg ty, as well as the task force set up to com- fons Jegers, Georgs Smirnovs and Gunars was the man we wanted,” said the pres- bat violence, xenophobia and racism. Ulmanis (from the 1960s); Aleksandrs ident at the press conference. -born Gül Keskinler, who Starkovs and Jevgenijs Milevskis (1980s); “Bidu” Zaugg can look back on a suc- moved to Germany in 1970, said after and current players Aleksandrs Kolinko, cessful career in which he has worked in her appointment: Igors Stepanovs, Vitalijs Astafjevs, Maris various fields in and around football. His “This new respon- Verpakovskis and Marians Pahars. playing career began at Bümpliz , sibility is a great Some of the words of congratulation before he represented the first team of opportunity not from partners of the Latvian Football Fed- Neuchâtel Xamax for five years in the only for me, but eration (LFF) were very entertaining. Vald- Swiss national A league. After a further also for the DFB is Siksnis, president of the Latvian branch three years at B league club FC Bern, he and for the social of the Nordea Bank Finland Plc, present- was forced to retire prematurely because development that ed a telescope for looking into the future of injury. we want to pro- of Latvian football, while the speech of Ju- He then coached various clubs and mote together. ris Binde, president of Latvijas Mobilais spent ten years as a coach for the Swiss The DFB has the Telefons (LMT), was interrupted by a scant- Football Association. He also helped to de- potential to make ily clad girl holding up a poster saying “LVL velop the Swiss FA’s youth strategy – the a huge impact and DFB 450,000 secret sponsorship deal between success of the Swiss youth teams in recent to set an example for other groups in LMT and LFF”. Jurgis Ozolins, adidas man- years speaks for itself. In 2001 he led society.” ager for the Baltics, spoke of his compa- Grasshoppers to the championship title After completing further studies in per- ny’s great partnership with Latvian foot- and was named coach of the year in sonnel and organisational development, ball and looked forward to a future built Switzerland. Zaugg’s most recent post was she founded the agency “Interkulturelles on the very successful past cooperation as sporting director for Neuchâtel Xamax. KompetenzTeam” (Intercultural Skills with the LFF. In January 2007, he began a three-year Team) in Bergisch Gladbach in 2001. On New Year’s Eve, the Nordik pub- non-terminable contract with the LFV. The Since then, she has been involved in lishing house released a commemorative new national coach is being realistic when various projects in Germany and abroad book on “100 years of Latvian Football” he says it will not be easy “to be success- and, on the basis of her diverse experi- (“Latvijas Futbolam 100”). It follows on ful and win a number of matches”. He ence, she was invited to the integration from the book published in 2000 on the also spoke about medium- and long-term summit organised by Federal Chancellor history of football in Latvia and covers objectives. He would particularly like to Angela Merkel in July 2006. Since 2003, events from 2000 until 2005, including raise the level of young players through for example, Gül Keskinler has worked for EURO 2004, among other events. Natu- more intensive youth coaching. the Hessian Ministry for the Interior and rally, a good part is devoted to the begin- Judith Frommelt Sport under the sponsorship of Hessen’s ning of the centenary. The whole work is regional sports federation as project man- illustrated with unique photographs, au- ager for the initiative entitled “Start – tographs and other previously unpublished Sport überspringt kulturelle Hürden” (Start material. The comprehensive statistics sec- – sport clears cultural hurdles), which was tion has been updated. However, Latvia’s awarded the Hessian integration prize in participation in EURO 2004 takes pride of spring 2005. place in the book, accompanied by colour One particular focus of her involvement photos. in society and sport is support for female 2007 started with international striker migrants. The proposal to appoint Gül Ke- Maris Verpakovskis making his debut for skinler as the new DFB integration officer Spanish side Getafe and defender Kaspars was also supported by the Turkish com- Gorkss for Blackpool in England, while An- LFV munity in Germany. drejs Prohorenkovs, long-time partner of Reinhard Walser presents Hans-Peter Zaugg Maximilian Geis Maris Verpakovskis up front in the national with a Liechtenstein shirt.

19 NORTHERN LUXEMBOURG IRELAND Paul Philipp re-elected Success of the grassroots week as president Sean Paul Murray, Grassroots Devel- A successful year for the Luxembourg FLF opment Officer for North & East , FA ended with the first appearance of the Luxembourg v Slovakia in one of the recently received official recognition from women’s national team in an official qualifying tournaments for the 2007-2009 UEFA for the ‘most valuable grassroots UEFA competition. The preliminary round European Women’s Championship. football event in 2006’. mini-tournament hosted by Luxembourg highlights of the association to date. The evening soccer tournament took in November in the European Women’s Attracting over 20,000 spectators, the place in Belfast during the traditionally Championship attracted a surprising tournament, which ended in victory for tense ‘July Week’ and was organised by amount of media attention in advance Russia, was a superb advertisement for Sean Paul Murray, Norman McNarry of the of the event, in which Luxembourg football. Foundation and the local beat Malta and drew against Lithuania We are also happy to report that parish priest, Father Aidan Troy, with the to finish second in the group behind agreement was reached with various dis- aim of providing constructive and enjoy- Slovakia. trict councils to construct 32 mini-pitch- able activity for young people in the A month earlier, on 21 October, the es as part of UEFA’s HatTrick programme. Ardoyne area of Belfast. 88th ordinary general meeting of the The programme can be classed as a great In partnership with the Ardoyne Mar- association was held in Esch/Alzette in success, as many other districts have now rowbone Community Empowerment Part- conjunction with the centenary of Lux- taken the initiative to build mini-pitches nership and the North Belfast Interface embourg’s first football club, CS Fola in the near future. Network, months of preparation and or- Esch. The meeting saw Paul Philipp Ahead of the association’s centenary ganisation went into the competition. This re-elected as president for a further in 2008, its leaders are at any rate now paid off when over 300 people of all ages four-year term. well equipped to take on new challenges turned up on the first evening to take Hosting the final round of the Euro- and to further boost the public image of part. There were three age groups (14-16, pean Under-17 Championship from 3 the Luxembourg FA. 16-18 and 18+) within the competition to 14 May was definitely one of the Joël Wolff and a donation was made to the George Best Foundation from the registration fees.

football in those days, is now part of the island’s football folklore and a prominent MALTA chapter in the history of the Maltese game. Half a century on and 283 international Fifty years of international ‘A’ matches later – spanning ups and football downs and culminating in Malta’s 2-1 24 February 1957 is a special day in the home victory over Hungary in a EURO annals of Maltese football. It marks the in- 2008 qualifier last October – the Malta FA ternational debut of the national team. is commemorating the 50th anniversary IFA The occasion was Malta’s friendly match of this special day with a programme of Sean Paul Murray receives the UEFA award. against Austria, played in front of a then activities in February, principally during the record crowd of 17,421 Maltese support- first week of the month. Sean Paul said: ers, who thronged the old Empire Stadi- The top attraction is a friendly match “I was overjoyed with the huge success um in Gzira to give their wholehearted between Malta and Austria, who will be of the tournament. It was a very enjoy- backing to their team. on the island for a training camp. Many able evening for all involved. Being recog- The narrow 3-2 home defeat for tiny members of the Malta team in 1957 will nised by UEFA just goes to highlight the Malta, which caused a stir in the world of be guests of honour in the crowd. need for such a worthwhile event. It was Other activities to mark this landmark an extremely worthwhile venture for all anniversary are an exhibition on the parties – football, the community, and the development of , the George Best Foundation – and I hope the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, a success will continue for many more years competition for students and a reception to come.” to which all Maltese players forming part This initiative attracted wide interest of the national team over the years have and very positive coverage from local been invited. A commemorative booklet press, TV and radio. Certainly the Ardoyne has also been published. area, in general, enjoyed a more peaceful Indeed, since those days, and even as week than in previous years and it is to be early as 107 years ago, when the Malta hoped that the provision of alternative, FA was founded, Maltese football admin- enjoyable activity may have contributed istrators have striven to uphold Malta’s to this. D.AQUILINA name in the world of football. Such was the success of this first com- Andre Schembri (right), who scored two In the words of the association’s pres- petition that plans are already being made goals against Hungary, with his grandfather, Savinu Schembri, who captained Malta in ident, Joseph Mifsud, this has always been to repeat it next July, and hopefully for the 1950s, and Eric Schembri, another former done with ‘pride, dignity and honour’. years to come. Great credit is due to Sean Maltese international. Alex Vella Paul and all those who put so much hard

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work into this project. Such positive co- Slovenian association as young and am- operation among bodies such as Belfast bitious, the expert committee led by City Council, the clergy, the George Best Ranko Novak chose the somewhat inno- Foundation and local community groups vative proposal of the Futura DDB agency. is an example of the good work which can The new logo, which is an open form, be achieved through the IFA’s grassroots stylizes part of a ball, with the aim of pre- programme. senting Slovenian football as dynamic on Caroline Menary every level. The national team crest, which will be embroidered on official jerseys, also includes the Slovenian coat of arms, which REPUBLIC makes a link between the players on the FAI field and the fans, who prefer to use the OF IRELAND The Setanta Cup was on show at the Slovenian flag in the stands. Starting with draw in . this year’s first friendly against Estonia, the Twelve clubs for the Premier ■ The draw for this year’s Setanta Slovenian national team will play their Division Sports Cup was made in Dublin recently matches in kits supplied by new technical sponsor Nike featuring the new crest, and History was made recently when a mo- and it has pitted 2005 winners Linfield Slovenian fans hope that the new look tion to complete the transfer of control and FAI Cup and League Cup holders might contribute to better performances of national league football in Ireland to City together in the same group for by the team in the remainder of the qual- the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) the second successive year. ifying competition for EURO 2008. was passed at an extraordinary general The Cup is a club foot- Uros Stanic meeting of the association. ball competition featuring teams from All the National League clubs came un- both football associations on the island der the scrutiny of the Independent of Ireland. It was inaugurated in 2005 as Assessment Group, which was chaired by a cross-border competition between clubs former UEFA vice-president Des Casey. from the eircom in the SWEDEN It selected the 12 clubs to be given posi- Republic of Ireland and the Irish Premier tions in the top division, with the League from Northern Ireland. remaining ten forming the lower division. The competition features four teams Big investment for the elite The 22 clubs which took part in the from each league, namely the winners Keeping up with international compe- process were ranked on the basis of and runners-up of the respective leagues; tition has proven increasingly difficult for points scored as a result of their achieve- the winners of the respective major cup the Swedish (men’s) clubs over the past ments over the past five seasons on the competitions, the FAI Cup, and the Irish decade. Sweden has not been represent- pitch and how they measured up against Cup; and the winners of the respective ed in the UEFA Champions League since specific criteria covering areas such as in- secondary cup competitions, the eircom the days of Helsingborg in 2000/01 and frastructure, governance, strategic plan- League Cup and the Northern Ireland the UEFA Cup merits have not been much ning, finance, youth development and League Cup. to write home about either lately. In the marketing. Speaking at the draw, the chief exec- league, an increased number The 12 clubs selected for the 2007 Pre- utive of Setanta Sports Ireland, Niall Cog- of player imports is reducing the space for mier Division are: Bohemians, Bray Wan- ley, announced that Setanta Sports has local talent. derers, City, Derry City, extended its sponsorship of the tourna- In the end, this trend may threaten United, Galway United, Longford Town, ment. The current deal, which started in the as yet so successful national team. St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, 2005, is worth EUR 1.6m over four years. Swedish football is therefore now making Shelbourne, Rovers and UCD. The new deal will run from 2009 to 2012. a strong endeavour for its elite by invest- ■ Former National League player and Fran Whearty ing some EUR 6.7 million over the com- Professional Footballers Association of Ire- ing four years, the heaviest investment land (PFAI) chief executive Fran Gavin has ever made in a single footballing project been appointed director of the eircom nationally. League of Ireland. The association has SLOVENIA The venture comprises several parts, also recruited ex-Cork City, Limerick from measures to strengthen the clubs’ and Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Noel activities, and the sharing of the elite ex- Mooney for the new position of National New corporate identity periences with more clubs, to new ap- Club Promotions Officer. After 13 years, the FA of Slovenia has pointments. Twelve national coaching in- Fran Gavin has ambitions to see the revamped its corporate identity and the structors (NCI) have been selected for eircom League of Ireland become a full- look of its national teams. The hope is that coach education and support to region- time professional set-up and is acutely the new feel will help create more inter- al coach and player education. The NCIs aware from his role with the players’ est and both fan and corporate support are the hub of this venture, also interact- union that the league has numerous off- as it will be the cornerstone of all future ing with the 48 district instructors (two field problems to address. However, he marketing campaigns. each in the FA’s 24 districts, one for men’s feels that the recent changeover that The old visual identity existed only in and one for women’s football). Ten of the places the league under the full control horizontal configurations, which were not NCIs will therefore be based regionally, of the FAI can help eradicate those issues. appropriate for a football environment, while two will have positions at the FA’s Noel Mooney has taken up the chal- and the crest on the national team jerseys headquarters. All 12 have prior coaching lenge of increasing attendances at Na- did not feature any national symbol. experience as well as education at top lev- tional League matches. Last season, there Therefore, the association’s marketing de- el and were picked from some 80 quali- were an average of 12,000 spectators go- partment invited the design partners of fied applicants. Another integral part of ing to matches, but the FAI is looking to the FA’s sponsors to the pitch and got this elite project is the reformed and ex- increase that figure to 30,000 over the some very interesting proposals. As one panded coach education system launched next few years. of the main ideas was to present the in January 2007.

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these measures alone were not sufficient. football for a month. The project, which A working group chaired by Technical Di- is fully supported by the community rector Hansruedi Hasler therefore pro- and the media, will certainly be an unfor- posed additional preventive and repres- gettable experience for the children sive measures for grassroots football. attending. An immediate measure is the SFV’s Ilker Ugur plan to conclude a “fair play and anti- violence agreement” with all clubs. Under the agreement, club officials are obliged to take action against any player, coach, offi- cial or spectator who flouts the fair play principle or acts in a violent manner. Various other measures that were also suggested to the SFV directors will enter into force at the start of the 2007/08 sea- son. These are mainly aimed at grassroots SvFF football. The most prominent proposals

Malin Moström has retired from concern the consistent use of the pre- and TFA international football. post-match handshake, the appointment Fatih Terim is working to create of fair play observers in each regional football villages. Parallel to the elite project, Swedish association, the organisation of match football will also introduce a home-grown observation procedures, the summoning players’ rule for the 2007 season, where- of players or club officials guilty of repeat WALES by at least seven of the 16 players on the offences and heavier punishments (point team sheet (in the top divisions) must have deductions) for serious misconduct. been registered with a Swedish club for Pierre Benoit three years between the ages of 15 and Welsh Assembly 21 (irrespective of nationality). Government/FAW Midfielder and women’s national team An excellent meeting took place in skipper Malin Moström has announced December between Alun Pugh, Minister her retirement from football at the age of for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport, 31. National team coach Thomas Den- and Jon Beynon, Senior Sport Policy Ad- nerby will miss Moström’s renowned deep viser, Welsh Assembly Government, Peter raids and tremendous working capacity at Rees, President of the FA of Wales (FAW), this summer’s World Cup finals: and David Collins, General Secretary of “It is a big loss for women’s football, the the FAW. team and her club. She is a great model as The meeting covered a wide range of a player with her attitude to preparation topics, including the Independent Euro- and enthusiastic style of play. pean Sport Review, the Charleroi case, Moström has earned 113 caps (21 Wales hosting the UEFA Cup final at a goals), won the UEFA Women’s Cup future date, the FAW national training with Umeå twice, and been runner-up SFV facility, Wales making a joint bid to host with Sweden in both the 2001 European Fair play and respect for the opponent a future European Football Championship Women’s Championship and the 2003 are taught from the very start. final round, Wrexham Racecourse Stadi- World Cup.” um and the Welsh Assembly review Thomas Saleteg of football. During the meeting, the FAW general TURKEY secretary was able to inform the minister that the FAW council had ratified the new SWITZERLAND FAW Welsh language policy. The minister Football villages expressed his appreciation of this policy The Turkish Football Association (TFA) and also said that the FAW had made a Fair play and anti-violence is creating football villages for children. very positive move forward by recognis- agreement Through this project, it plans to host chil- ing the Welsh language, and welcomed At the initiative of the president of the dren for a month at a time and help them the fact that the FAW would support staff Swiss Football Association (SFV), Ralph further their education with the help of in learning or improving their Welsh Zloczower, all clubs affiliated to the SFV football. language skills. were asked to sign a “fair play and anti- Last month, Turkish national coach After the meeting, the FAW secretary violence agreement” at the beginning of Fatih Terim and Gunduz Tekin Onay, head general said: “This was an excellent meet- this year. of research, planning, education and de- ing, with frank and open views expressed Having noticed a decline in levels of re- velopment with the TFA, visited the city on both sides. It was very pleasing for both spect and fairness on our football pitches of Van, close to the eastern border, and sides to see that we were in agreement on in recent years, the SFV hopes to use every looked at two sites where villages are go- every subject. I am delighted to say that possible means to combat unfairness and ing to be built. both sides recognise the support that each violence in organised football. The SFV Each village will welcome 100 children party makes to . The Welsh and the regional associations took the first from all over Turkey every month who will Assembly Government and the Football steps in this direction years ago through receive training from Turkish FA coaches. Association of Wales will make every effort initiatives such as the fair play competi- The TFA’s aim is to create an opportu- to continue this excellent dialogue for the tion, fair play trophy and “be tolerant” nity for children to share the same goal benefit of Welsh football.” matches. However, it became clear that and receive education with the help of David G. Collins

22 uefadirect 2.07 UEFA

Notices

■ On 16 December, the general meeting of the Croatian FA re-elected Vlatko Markovic Communications as its president for a further four-year term. Birthdays – Calendar ■ Dusan Tittel has resigned as general secre- tary of the Slovakian FA. ■ The Azerbaijani FA has moved to: 2208 Nobel prospekti 1025 Baku – Azerbaijan Birthdays ● Patrick Kelly (Republic of Ireland, 18.2) ■ The Cypriot FA has also moved. Its new ● Pertti Alaja (Finland, 18.2) address is: 10 Achaion Street ● Anders Frisk (Sweden, 18.2) 2413 Engomi – Nicosia – Cyprus Heinz-Herbert Kreh (Germany), who ● Janis Mezeckis (Latvia, 19.2) belongs to the circle of former UEFA com- ■ The Ukrainian FA can now be contacted at: ● Lars Arnesson (Sweden, 20.2) mittee members, celebrates his 70th birthday 7-A Laboratornyi provulok, P.O. Box 293 ● João F. De Magalhães Marques on 14 February, a milestone at which referee (Portugal, 20.2) 03150 Kiev – Ukraine observer Georges Konrath (France) joins him ● Ralph M. Zloczower (Switzerland, 21.2) Tel.: + 380 44 521 0521 – Fax: +380 44 521 0550 the next day. Executive Committee member ● Fernando Gomes (Portugal, 21.2) Eggert Magnusson (Iceland) turns 60 on ● Holger Hieronymus (Germany, 22.2) 20 February, match delegate Yusuf Namoglu Match agents ● Vladimir Sajn (Slovenia, 22.2) (Turkey) on the 8th, technical instructor ● Maarten Fontein (Netherlands, 23.2) Flemming Serritslev (Denmark) on the 18th, The Licensed UEFA Match Agents Panel has ● Peter Jones (England, 24.2) referee observer Manfred Amerell (Germany) granted a licence to: ● Miroslav Radoman (Serbia, 25.2) on the 25th and fellow German Aron ● Egidius Braun (Germany, 27.2) Xu Zhang Xiangjie Schmidhuber on the 28th. Two other referee ● Allan Hansen (Denmark, 27.2) Avda Pintor Perez Gil 13 BW 17 observers reach the half-century mark in ● Xavier Lebray (France, 27.2) 03350 Playa San Jan (Alicante) – Spain February: Dani Koren (Israel) on the 10th and ● (Italy, 28.2) Tel.: +34-965260617 Asim Khudiyev (Azerbaijan) on the 22nd. ● John Beattie (England, 28.2) Fax: +34-965260617 Susanne Erlandsson (Sweden), vice-chair- woman of the Women’s Football Committee, It has also renewed the licence of Paul celebrates her 50th birthday on 15 February. Upcoming events Montmartin (France) until 21 December 2014. Birthday greetings are also extended to: Sunday Adepegba (England) has, however, ● (Germany, 1.2) Meetings surrendered his licence. ● Karen Espelund (Norway, 1.2) 5-6.2.2007, Nyon ● Leonardus van der Kroft (Netherlands, 2.2) European Club Forum ● Trygve Bornø (Norway, 2.2) New publications ● 5-9.2.2007, Mark Blackbourne (England, 3.2) Taktik und Analyse im Fussball ● Agostinho Vieira Oliveira (Portugal, 5.2) Referee courses Roland Loy had three aims in mind when ● Nikolaos Zamboglou (Cyprus, 5.2) 13.2.2007, Stokholm he wrote these two volumes, published ● Vaclav Krondl (Czech Republic, 5.2) Draw for the qualifying round of the 2007-09 by Cwalina in Hamburg: to ● Gabriel Weiss (Slovakia, 6.2) European Under-21 Championship ● Erich Rutemöller (Germany, 8.2) develop and analyse an obser- ● Fino Fini (Italy, 9.2) 19.2.2007, Nyon vation system for the systema- ● Donald McVicar (Scotland, 9.2) Draws for the first qualifying rounds tic registration of individual ● Danilo Filacchione (Italy, 9.2) of the 2007/08 European Women’s Under-19 and team tactical performan- ● Luc Rabat (France, 10.2) and Under-17 Championships ce in offensive and defensive ● William McDougall (Scotland, 11.2) 22.2.2007, Nyon football; to identify tactical ● Borislav Mihaylov (Bulgaria, 12.2) Women’s Football Committee performance factors in foot- ● Pierluigi Collina (Italy, 13.2) 26.2-1.3.2007, Barcelona ball; and to identify the differences between ● Marinus den Engelsman UEFA/CAF Meridian Conference and Cup teams at different levels or from different (Netherlands, 14.2) leagues in terms of tactical performance. ● Dieter Pauly (Germany, 14.2) (Feldhaus Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Postfach ● Competitions Manuel Lopez Fernandez (Spain, 14.2) 730240, 22122 Hamburg, Germany. ● Peter Bonde (Denmark, 14.2) 14-15.2.2007 www.feldhaus-verlag.de) ● John McBeth (Scotland, 15.2) UEFA Cup: round of 32 (first legs) ● Athanassios Machairas (Greece, 15.2) ● Katriina Elovirta (Finland, 15.2) 20-21.2.2007 Rapport annuel 2005/2006 ● Svitlana Shkil (Ukraine, 15.2) UEFA Champions League: The annual report of the Swiss FA for ● Adalbert Kassai (Romania, 16.2) first knockout round (first legs) last season, containing technical, financial ● Jozef Venglos (Slovakia, 18.2) 22.2.2007 and disciplinary details, as well as com- ● Borislav Alexandrov (Bulgaria, 18.2) UEFA Cup: round of 32 (return legs) petition results.

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 and Public Affairs Division Editorial deadline: 26 January 2007 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Switzerland Phone +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 uefa.com