No. 155

MARCH 2016 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNION OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS A BREATH OF NONO TOTO RACISMRACISM FRESH AIR How Iceland, one of Europe’s smallest nations, made the big time No.155 • March 2016 FUTSAL THE FOR THE EURO TECHNICIAN RECORD A record-breaking A hat-trick for 10 years of tournament Del Bosque? club licensing BIRTHDAYS, COMMUNICATIONS, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS Jim Boyce (Northern Ireland, 21 March) Alan Snoddy (Northern Ireland, 29 March) Kai-Erik Arstad (Norway, 21 March) Bernadette Constantin (France, 29 March) Denis Bastari (Albania, 21 March) Bernadino González Vázquez (Spain, Benny Jacobsen (Denmark, 1 March) Ginés Meléndez (Spain, 22 March) 29 March) 50th Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain, 1 March) Chris Georghiades (Cyprus, 22 March) Sanna Pirhonen (Finland, 29 March) Damir Vrbanović (Croatia, 2 March) Michail Kassabov (Bulgaria, 22 March) William Hugh Wilson (Scotland, 30 March) Jenni Kennedy (England, 2 March) Pascal Fritz (France, 25 January) Richard Havrilla (Slovakia, 31 March) 50th Hans Lorenz (Germany, 3 March) Luca Zorzi (Switzerland, 22 March) Marina Mamaeva (Russia, 31 March) Zbigniew Boniek (Poland, 3 March) 60th Hugo Quaderer (Liechtenstein, 22 March) Matteo Simone Trefoloni (Italy, 31 March) Alexandru Deaconu (Romania, 3 March) Pafsanias Papanikolaou (Greece, Carolin Greiner Mai (Germany, 3 March) 22 March) 40th François Vasseur (France, 3 March) Andrew Niven (Scotland, 22 March) COMMUNICATIONS Patrick McGrath (Republic of Ireland, Franz Krösslhuber (Austria, 23 March) 4 March) Andrea Lastrucci (Italy, 23 March) Kuddusi Müftüoglu (Turkey, 4 March) Mirosław Malinowski (Poland, 23 March) • The Lithuanian Football Federation Crawford Wilson (Northern Ireland, 5 March) Mahmut Özgener (Turkey, 23 March) has appointed Edvinas Eimontas as its Zoran Bahtijarević (Croatia, 5 March) Hilda McDermott (Republic of Ireland, president, replacing Julius Kvedaras, Ronen Hershco (Israel, 5 March) 23 March) and has appointed Nerijus Dunauskas Jim Shaw (Northern Ireland, 6 March) Outi Saarinen (Finland, 23 March) 50th as its general secretary, replacing Boris Durlen (Croatia, 6 March) Fernando Ruiz Hierro (Spain, 23 March) Edvinas Eimontas. Ichko Lozev (Bulgaria, 6 March) 60th Dejan Dimovski (FYR Macedonia, 23 March) Hervé Piccirillo (France, 6 March) Christoforos Zografos (Greece, 24 March) • The Gibraltar Football Association Dan Ashworth (England, 6 March) Michael Kirchner (Germany, 25 March) has a new postal address: Pedro Maria Aurteneche Viñegra Wilfried Straub (Germany, 26 March) 62/64 Irish Town, 2nd Floor (Spain, 7 March) Gitte Holm (Denmark, 26 March) PO Box 513 Dušan Maravić (Serbia, 7 March) Jelle Goes (Netherlands, 26 March) GX11 1AA Tomás Gea (Andorra, 7 March) 50th Steen Jørgensen (Denmark, 26 March) Gibraltar Josep Lluís Vilaseca Guasch (Spain, John Peacock (England, 27 March) 60th 8 March) José Antonio Casajus (Spain, 27 March) • The Football Federation of Kris Bellon (Belgium, 8 March) Armen Minasyan (Armenia, 27 March) Kazakhstan has a new postal address: Alexis Ponnet (Belgium, 9 March) Pavel Cebanu (Moldova, 28 March) 8 Saryarka Avenue, 4th Floor Henk Kesler (Netherlands, 9 March) Edgar Obertüfer (Switzerland, 29 March) Astana 010000 Herbert Fandel (Germany, 9 March) Ian Beasley (England, 29 March) Kazakhstan Otar Giorgadze (Georgia, 9 March) Stefan Ormandjiev (Bulgaria, 29 March) Mateo Beusan (Croatia, 10 March) Ilkka Koho (Finland, 10 March) FORTHCOMING EVENTS Jasmin Baković (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 10 March) Meetings Diana Andersen (Denmark, 10 March) 8 March, Nyon 18 March, Nyon 21 March, Nyon Lucien Kayser (Luxembourg, 11 March) HatTrick Committee UEFA Champions League Club Licensing Committee Olga Zhukovska (Ukraine, 11 March) and UEFA Europa League: Jean-François Crucke (Belgium, 12 March) quarter-final draws Miroslav Vitković (Croatia, 12 March) Thomas Partl (Austria, 13 March) Yngve Hallén (Norway, 14 March) Competitions Neil Jardine (Northern Ireland, 14 March) 8/9 March 22 March Nikola Prentic (Montenegro, 14 March) UEFA Youth League: Futsal World Cup European qualifying: Ivan Ćurković (Serbia, 15 March) quarter-finals play-offs (first legs) Götz Dimanski (Germany, 15 March) Michael Thomas Ross (Northern Ireland, 8/9 and 15/16 March 23/24 March 15 March) UEFA Champions League: UEFA Women’s Champions League: Cornelis Bakker (Netherlands, 17 March) round of 16 (return legs) quarter-finals (first legs) Simeon Tsolakidis (Greece, 17 March) 50th Christos Skapoullis (Cyprus, 18 March) 10 March 23–29 March www.uefafoundation.org Marcello Nicchi (Italy, 18 March) UEFA Europa League: European Under-21 Championship: Paul Elliott (England, 18 March) round of 16 (first legs) qualifiers Marina Tashchyan (Armenia, 18 March) Ronald Zimmermann (Germany, 19 March) 17 March 30/31 March Sándor Csányi (Hungary, 20 March) UEFA Europa League: UEFA Women’s Champions League: Edward Foley (Republic of Ireland, 20 March) round of 16 (return legs) quarter-finals (return legs)

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 51 EDITORIAL

A NEW DAWN FOR UEFA DIRECT

Dear readers, So what can you expect? From a first glance, you will notice that the number of pages has It is with great pride that UEFA presents to you more than doubled. However, as we all know, the new and improved UEFA Direct. Following bigger is not necessarily always better and a diligent consultation period with internal and that is why our focus is not only on the external stakeholders, we have relaunched breadth of the magazine, or even its new your magazine with the aim of further look and feel: it is also on the stories that informing and engaging you in the work we showcase all our achievements in grassroots, do together to protect, promote and develop development and education. football in Europe. We also want to highlight all your victories, both on and off the field, and to feature the profiles of the people who accomplish them. Furthermore, we will aim to use a larger number of creative images to reflect the diversity of football cultures around Europe, while simultaneously producing an increased number of dynamic graphics which contain insightful facts and figures on how the sport we love is growing and flourishing on our continent.

We sincerely hope that you will enjoy this new version of UEFA Direct and welcome feedback on how we can further improve it.

Pedro Pinto UEFA Chief of Communications and Media

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 03 CONTENTS

34 26 Sportsfile KSÍ

CONTENTS

Official publication of 6 Executive Committee 28 Expansion of the EURO the Union of European At its meeting in Nyon on 21 January, From a field of four in 1960 to the current Football Associations the Executive Committee approved the 24, UEFA Direct traces the milestones in Chief editor: introduction of goal-line technology in the history of the EURO. Emmanuel Deconche

UEFA competitions. Deputy chief editor: 30 More than just a ticket Dominique Maurer 10 EURO 2016 final draw A UEFA match ticket is much more than Contributors: UEFA Direct goes behind the scenes a passport to a magical experience. UEFA Alexis Angelopoulos, at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. Direct takes a closer look at a ticket for the Christopher Burke, Mark Chaplin, Alexandre Doskov, final of EURO 2012. Michael Harrold, Martyn 16 The Technician Hindley, Arthur Jeanne, Vicente del Bosque believes that Spain 32 Club licensing 10 years on Patrick Lemoine, Paul Murphy, Graham Turner and can make it three EUROs in a row. A new report on the evolution of the UEFA Language Services club licensing system highlights the Production: 20 Futsal EURO positive impact it has had across the Touchline In Belgrade, Spain won their sixth European game. Printing: European championship, beating Russia Artgraphic Cavin in the final. 34 The miracle of Iceland CH-1422 Grandson A quiet revolution has been taking Editorial deadline: 26 Winter referee courses place in Icelandic football, resulting in 13 February 2016 The annual advanced and introductory the country becoming the smallest ever Cover photo: courses for UEFA referees took place in to reach a EURO final round. A special Football can only be played Cyprus in early February. report from the country where indoor outdoors a few months a year facilities are the name of the game. in Iceland. Keystone 40 News from member associations

04 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 CONTENTS UEFA Getty Images

16 6

20 Sportsfile

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 05 UEFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

ebruary’s FIFA presidential election and the Executive Committee,” the statement continued, implementation of goal-line technology in “and we are certain he is the right man to take FUEFA competitions were the main items on FIFA forward now.” the agenda for the UEFA Executive Committee’s “I am very honoured for the support I have first meeting of the year in Nyon on 21 January. received from the Executive Committee and the The following day, the presidents and general associations,” Gianni Infantino said after the secretaries of UEFA’s 54 member associations discussions in Nyon. “I know now, even more so, also came to the House of European Football for what my responsibilities are. This increases my a briefing on the election for the FIFA presidency, belief in doing the right thing for football.” which will be held in Zurich on 26 February. The Executive Committee also decided in The Executive Committee and European Nyon that no UEFA presidential election would national associations gave their backing to be scheduled until the sports justice appeal UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, who bodies, including potentially the Court of is standing as a candidate for the presidency Arbitration for Sport (CAS), had taken a decision of world football’s governing body. “The with regard to the suspension of the UEFA UEFA Executive Committee would like to President, Michel Platini. In December, the FIFA affirm that we unanimously endorse Gianni Ethics Committee decided to suspend Mr Platini Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency,” for eight years from all football-related activities. a statement said. “UEFA’s national associations “The UEFA Executive Committee and UEFA’s also overwhelmingly expressed their support national associations would like to state that for Gianni and will officially announce their we have taken note of the decision of the individual positions in due course, respecting FIFA Ethics Committee to suspend the UEFA their internal formal procedures.” President, Michel Platini,” a statement read. “Gianni Infantino entered the presidential “We hope his name is cleared and he can The UEFA Executive race for football’s world governing body on return to the European football family as quickly Committee at its first 26 October 2015, with the backing of the UEFA as possible.” meeting of 2016 in Nyon. UEFA

06 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 With the introduction of goal-line technology, AARs will be able to concentrate on what is happening in the penalty area. Getty Images for UEFA GREEN LIGHT FOR GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY

oal-line technology will be implemented additional assistant referee system and for EURO 2016 in France, as well as for goal-line technology together would be Gthe 2016/17 UEFA Champions League worthwhile.” from the play-offs onwards. The Executive “Monitoring hundreds of matches and Committee also decided to examine the talking with our match officials, the feedback feasibility of introducing goal-line technology in we got was that to be focussed on goal-line the UEFA Europa League from the group stage incidents, they had to be ready well before onwards, starting in the 2017/18 season. the ball arrives. This meant losing control of The system will be used in tandem with what happened between when the ball was additional assistant referees (AARs), who have kicked and the possible goal-line incident. been successfully deployed in major UEFA This reduced the possibility for our additional competitions in recent years to stand on each assistant referees to really support the referees goal-line and watch in particular for incidents in controlling what was going on inside the in the penalty box, such as holding and penalty area. So we were convinced that pushing, thus helping the referee to take the implementing goal-line technology would be a correct decisions. further step in a better control of the match.” In addition to the use of goal-line technology, The Executive Committee noted that the AARs will continue to play a crucial role preparations for EURO 2016 in France between in monitoring all activity in and around the 10 June and 10 July were in the final phase. penalty area. It was also disclosed that the Anticipation is growing for the event in which, supplier of the goal-line technology system for the first time, 24 national teams will contest would be announced in due course. the Henri Delaunay Cup. “We were convinced UEFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi An amendment was introduced to article that implementing Collina, was present in Nyon to highlight the 21.05 of the 2014–16 European Football goal-line technology reasons for UEFA’s introduction of goal-line Championship regulations. As a result, teams technology. He explained that the Executive who have qualified for the final round may would be a further Committee’s decision had followed a year of play two friendly matches against other step in a better serious and professional preparation work: participating teams – as opposed to the control of the match.” “It’s not a decision taken quickly. More than one friendly match initially stipulated in the Pierluigi Collina one and a half years ago, Michel Platini regulations – provided that they are not in Chief refereeing officer, told us to investigate if working with the the same final tournament group. UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 07 EDUCATION

UEFA CERTIFICATE IN FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT The official channel for European football

IRISH UNITE FOR MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME From the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA EURO 2016, to youth and women’s football and futsal, UEFA.com has the European game covered.

Follow UEFA.com on Facebook and Twitter or download the UEFA.com app. FAI

A notable ‘first’ in the UEFA Certificate in studies in football organisation, strategy “UEFA invests time Football Management (UEFA CFM) activities and strategic management, operational and intellectual saw the national associations of the Republic management, marketing and sponsorship, capital in projects communications, media and public relations of Ireland (FAI) and Northern Ireland (IFA) such as this, so co-host a national edition of this football and event management. management education programme. Graduates receive certificates awarded that people can The initial cross-border Irish seminar was held by the Swiss Graduate School of Public be better football in Dublin last April, and was followed Administration (IDHEAP) at the University of administrators.” by a second seminar in Belfast (Northern Lausanne, and the academic content of the Patrick Nelson Ireland) in August, and the third seminar and programme is the responsibility of renowned IFA chief executive graduation ceremony in Dundalk (Republic of academics from universities in France, Italy, Ireland) in December. Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. A total of 34 participants graduated – “UEFA invests time and intellectual capital 16 from the Republic of Ireland, 13 from in projects such as this, so that people can be Northern Ireland, two each from Gibraltar and better football administrators,” said the IFA’s Scotland, and one from Wales – showing the chief executive, Patrick Nelson. “It’s a great pan-European reach of the programme. initiative to give this level of training to our own The nine-month UEFA CFM programme staff, and to share it with other associations,” comprises six interactive online modules and added the FAI’s head of human resources, three face-to-face seminars. Topics include Pat McGinty.

EXECUTIVE MASTER IN EUROPEAN SPORT GOVERNANCE MESGO APPLICATIONS OPEN

The application process is open for the fourth sports governance. It also shows UEFA’s session of the UEFA-backed Executive Master in commitment to the sustainable development European Sport Governance (MESGO), which of football across Europe by working with starts in September 2016. MESGO is a unique stakeholders on educational projects. programme designed for professionals in the The application deadline is 28 March 2016. sports sector wishing to improve their skills by Visit www.mesgo.org to apply online or send an mastering the complex dimensions and diversity email to universities@uefa.ch if you would of international practices related to professional like more information.

08 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 The official channel for European football

From the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA EURO 2016, to youth and women’s football and futsal, UEFA.com has the European game covered.

Follow UEFA.com on Facebook and Twitter or download the UEFA.com app. EURO 2016 FINAL DRAW

SETTING THE STAGE In terms of drama and excitement, the EURO 2016 final draw in Paris offered a taste of what fans can expect this summer. Getty Images

10 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 EURO 2016 FINAL DRAW

ew places on earth are as steeped The TV compound next to the Palais des Congrès in the dramatic arts as Paris, and the was similarly animated, with more than 40 UEFA French capital provided the backdrop broadcast partners setting up on-site operations. for an evening of tension, expectation And while the final preparations were being and excitement as the final draw for made to ensure everything ran smoothly, a FEURO 2016 unfolded on 12 December. After a steady flow of attendees were checking in at qualifying campaign packed with shocks, the hotel, including the national team coaches. the eyes of the football world turned to the Some of them, such as Sweden’s Erik Hamrén, Palais des Congrès for another serving of combined the trip with visits to their final spectacle and emotion – and the landmark tournament base camps. The Blågult have opted event in the run-up to the final tournament for Pornichet, near Nantes, on the Atlantic coast did not disappoint. as their home from home this summer. The tone was set on the eve of the ceremony Back at the draw hall, the stage had been as the UEFA Executive Committee held its final set up and was ready for action. Created by meeting of 2015, followed by a press conference celebrated German designer Jürgen Schmidt- streamed live on UEFA.org at which it was André, it was first used for the Champions announced that the tournament prize money League and Europa League group stage draws was being increased from €196m at EURO 2012 in Monaco in August. After being in storage to €301m, raising the stakes considerably. since then, it was transported to Paris in six It was obvious from the bustle of activity at trucks and all the various elements were the draw accreditation centre, where a total unloaded early on the morning of Sunday of 354 media representatives picked up their 6 December. It will be used again for next credentials, that the inaugural 24-team finals had season’s Champions League and Europa already captured the imagination. League group stage draws in Monaco.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 11 EURO 2016 FINAL DRAW

For its outing in the principality, the stage had been put together in two weeks, but after being enlarged and enhanced for the Palais des Congrès it required a whole new effort to rebuild it on-site. A team of 16 worked on the construction effort, while another 20 oversaw the technical aspects – including the 4K rear- screen projection on the back wall, which gave the stage a EURO-specific colour scheme, as did LED strips on the side walls, desks, floor and steps. By Wednesday afternoon the installation was complete, with rehearsals able to begin the following afternoon after a final round of checks.

The Anticipation mounts The Palais des Congrès needed just one final touch on the day of the draw: the laying of the red carpet at the main entrance. And it was there that the ceremony started in earnest, with the 24 coaches, 22 national association presidents and 23 general secretaries, plus assorted VIPs – including UEFA’s honorary president, Lennart Johansson – entering the lobby flanked by photographers and After the draw, cameramen. Some guests, such as Christian the media swarmed to Karembeu, stopped for interviews on the get the first reactions way, the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 of the coaches, including

UEFA Wales’s Chris Coleman. winner being one of the ambassadors for the

‘RICHNESS, BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY’ UEFA ceremonies manager Julien Pateau explains the inspiration behind a memorable draw show

What was your overriding Where did you find goal when planning the show? the young hip-hop dancers? We wanted to showcase the richness, They’re all registered with the UNSS beauty and diversity of French culture, [Union Nationale de Sport Scolaire], but to avoid slipping into caricatures. the French school sports union, who We wanted to modernise the clichés we’ve entered into a partnership with. in order to create beautiful images. For A lot of the kids needed psychological example, we had the idea very early on support after the Paris terrorist attacks to use cancan dancers to kick off the as around half were from a school close show, to give it a proper French touch to the Bataclan, and the rest were from and a fun atmosphere so that everyone a school in Saint-Denis. Many were would immediately understand we shocked by what had happened, but were in France and it was a party. the show did them a lot of good.

What was the thinking Was the show designed behind the trapeze section? more for a TV audience or The third part focused on La France the people in the hall? romantique, and I know the trapeze The idea was to present a good image duo well as I’ve worked with them of France to the world, for it to work on before. They’re a couple in real life – TV. We focused on lighting and worked so their love story on stage was real. closely with the director, Jean-Jacques That was important as the challenge Amsellem, but we also wanted to put Getty Images was to ensure nothing rang false. on a good show for everyone there.

12 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 EURO 2016 volunteer programme which had 354 inspired 22,600 applicants between the ages More than 350 written of 18 and 81 to apply for 6,500 jobs at the journalists, web reporters, final tournament. photographers and TV or At 18:00 Paris time, with anticipation levels radio non-rights holders reaching a crescendo, hosts Ruud Gullit and were accredited for the Bixente Lizarazu welcomed the assembled final draw audience and worldwide TV viewers, who were treated to a typically French flourish as 24 cancan dancers from the famous Lido cabaret 103 poured down the aisles from the back of the Getty Images A total of 103 broadcasters hall. Taking the stage to Jacques Offenbach’s covered the draw, Infernal Galop, the dancers got the event off STARS OF THE SHOW with the event reaching to a colourful and energetic start. They were The EURO 2016 final draw was replete over 200 territories followed by a video introduction to the ten with famous faces and football legends, host cities. but none of it would have been possible without the underrated stars of the show 31 A song for all fans – the draw balls. Produced by adidas There were 31 rights The entertainment continued with a thrilling according to strict instructions and closely holders putting questions trapeze display from the Cirque du Soleil, guarded ever since, they held the keys to to coaches in the flash followed by 24 young dancers wearing the the 36 group games and beyond. “The area, as well as 31 colours of each competing nation, who insertion of the slips of paper into the commentary positions performed an eye-catching routine with the balls is the trickiest part – and the most in the draw hall and tournament mascot, Super Victor. That was exciting,” says UEFA senior EURO and 17 unilateral cameras the cue for David Guetta, EURO 2016 music Nations League competitions manager, ambassador, to join the proceedings and Marcello Alleca, on hand at the Palais des discuss the tournament’s official anthem, This Congrès. “This delicate operation takes 110 One’s For You, a song about unity due for place twice, under the ever watchful eye The organisers were release this spring. The superstar DJ and music of a notary: once shortly before rehearsal assisted by 110 volunteers producer is currently calling on supporters to and once shortly before the draw, because providing valuable feature on the anthem, with fans around the from the moment the balls are closed they support in media services, globe invited to record their own personal must remain under constant supervision information technology, contribution on EURO2016.com/DavidGuetta. until the draw starts.” accreditation, VIP Predicting “a fantastic tournament”, the Measuring 11.4cm by 7.5cm, the slips services, TV production UEFA General Secretary, Gianni Infantino, then of paper fit neatly inside the balls, which and transport oversaw the draw itself, with help from EURO are 5.5cm in diameter and composed of legends Antonín Panenka, Oliver Bierhoff, two halves that screw together – with David Trezeguet and Angelos Charisteas – each spares available. Nevertheless, the process 1 a scorer in a European Championship final. The is not without its challenges. “We used The UEFA EURO 2016 final coaches looked on with their best poker faces a dressing room backstage, right next to draw was the number as they discovered who their teams would David Guetta’s,” Marcello recalls. “Luckily, one worldwide trend on meet, but they were soon able to share their he was not too noisy and did not disturb Twitter on 12 December, thoughts as they gave interviews to rights our concentration.” With the EURO generating 13,483,685 holders in the flash area after the ceremony. legends briefed on what to do, nothing impressions on the day of Their reactions were beamed far and wide, as was left to chance before the balls the ceremony well as on giant screens in the media working completed their mission and could begin area, where hundreds of journalists rattled off their post-draw life as part of UEFA’s their own views. From the flash area, the 24 memorabilia collection, which regularly technicians proceeded to the mixed zone to appears in exhibitions. be grilled by non-rights holders, all the while sharing kind words with their newly revealed opposite numbers. For the time being, at least. local fare from their regions. With the lights Backstage, the Twitter Blue Room was low and the walls decorated with framed abuzz as the likes of Lizarazu and Trezeguet pictures of iconic EURO moments, a jazz band popped in to answer questions posed by the helped wash away some of the accumulated public. It had been a long day for all involved, nerves – though centre stage undoubtedly yet the chance to decompress was almost at belonged to the Henri Delaunay Cup, as hand, and gradually everyone retired to the people gravitated towards it, cameras at the post-draw party on the first floor, where food ready. And so the countdown to EURO 2016 stands representing the host cities offered up truly began.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 13 EURO 2016 Getty Images FANS SNAP UP EURO TICKETS The second sales phase ended on 18 January with great demand from supporters.

here has been huge demand for tickets Following their teams for EURO 2016 in France this summer. Supporters were able to buy tickets for all T More than 3.5 million tickets were of their teams’ games, including potential 10 31 requested for the tournament’s 51 matches knockout ties. These Follow My Team tickets host cities days by supporters from 189 territories between allowed fans to reserve places for any knockout 14 December 2015 and 18 January 2016. games their team qualified for, and guaranteed Many, of course, will be watching their them refunds if their side does not go on to 24 51 team in a final tournament for the first time reach the round in question. teams matches thanks to the expanded 24-team format Although the maximum number of tickets and this has only heightened the anticipation. per application was limited to four per match, Fans of first-time qualifiers Iceland, for instance, groups of supporters could link separate applied for 26,985 tickets, enough for 8.15% applications to sit together in the stadium of the nation’s 330,000 population to watch through a Group ID. 3.5 a game. Access for all MILLION Germany v Poland tops the wish list UEFA has also teamed up with the Centre for ticket requests in 36 days The hottest ticket was for the Group C match Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) to ensure between Germany and Poland in Saint-Denis on the fulfilment of the EURO 2016 Access for 16 June, while the majority of ticket requests All project, which aims to provide disabled overall came from Poland, France, Austria, fans with accessibility tickets and audio- the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland. In descriptive commentary services for partially total, 800,000 tickets, about 32% of the total sighted and blind fans. tournament quota, were made available to the Ticket portals for each of the 24 nations fans of the 24 teams through the same number were made available in 17 languages, while of dedicated portals on EURO2016.com, the a dedicated customer service centre provided official ticket sales platform. professional support in all these languages.

14 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 2 March 100 days to go

2/3 March Participating teams workshop, Paris

15/16 March Sponsors workshop III, Lyon

1 April – 9 June Trophy tour, France (25 cities across the country)

18–21 April Referees workshop, Paris

EURO 2016 29 May – 5 June European schools COUNTDOWN tournament, Lens and Lille The key dates and places in the build-up to UEFA EURO 2016 and beyond. 6 June International broadcast centre fully operational, Paris

9 June Opening party: David Guetta concert, Paris

10 June Opening match: France v Romania, Stade de France, Saint-Denis

10 June – 10 July UEFA EURO 2016

30 June – 8 July International solidarity tournament, Lyon and Paris

10 July Final, Stade de France, Saint-Denis

G

e t t y 12 September

Im a g e UEFA National Team s , U E Coaches Conference, Paris FA

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 15 THE TECHNICIAN

“We’ve played with one forward, with two forwards or with no forwards and almost every time we’ve had good results.” Getty Images

16 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 THE TECHNICIAN

VICENTE DEL BOSQUE ‘STILL STRIVING TO BE THE BEST’ Evolution, not revolution, is the watchword for Spain’s head coach as his team targets a record third straight EURO title.

ou are the coach. As you take back at progress since the World Cup, he THAT WINNING your team into EURO 2016, you comments: “We have taken some careful steps FEELING could field seven of the players forward. We didn’t really start a revolution who started the World Cup final or make any dramatic steps. Instead, we just in Johannesburg back in 2010. But developed further, step by step, introducing Ywould you? You could even pick half a dozen of players who we think are right to put together the starters who ended Spain’s 44-year wait to a good national team. There is a block of regain the European Championship by beating players who have stayed, such as Jordi Alba, Germany in Vienna under the guidance of Luis Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Aragonés in 2008. You could select no fewer Cesc Fàbregas and David Silva, and we’ve than nine of the starting line-up from when added some younger lads who, I think, have Spain successfully defended their European freshened the team up. I think it’s normal to crown by beating Italy in Kiev in 2012. But the proceed like that.” 82 wins youngest would be 27 and five would have Continuity is written with a capital C in 8 draws passed their 30th birthdays. So would you? Spain’s footballing lexicon. And that starts at 14 losses Bearing in mind Spain’s startling failure to the top. Angel María Villar Llona’s benchmark- progress beyond the group stage at the 2014 setting tenure as president of the Royal Spanish In 104 games in charge of World Cup in Brazil, is this a time for evolution Football Federation has provided a platform Spain, Vicente del Bosque or revolution? on which sustained success in UEFA’s age- has achieved a terrific record, There are still a few months to wait before limit competitions – and ultimately at senior winning 79% of his matches. you can compare your answer with that of level – has been built. In the wake of the Spain’s head coach, Vicente del Bosque. He disappointment in Brazil, the media were quick does, however, hint strongly at a preference to pronounce that Spain’s winning cycle had for evolution after a EURO qualifying campaign come to an end, but Villar would have none that yielded nine wins from ten games. Looking of it. Del Bosque remains and, in his case,

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 17 THE TECHNICIAN

continuity is not just about years or matches to supply core elements not only in terms of on the bench. His equanimous, avuncular manpower but also with regard to playing style, personality provides a steady hand at the tiller. may have to cope with an extended EURO on Since taking over in 2008, he has become the the back of a season which could entail as first coach to be champion of Europe and the many as 65 competitive matches. But he shrugs world at both club and national team levels, off suggestions that freshness and preparation yet shies away from any hint of personality time could become key issues. cult. “I think the victory at EURO 2008 made us feel proud and meant we could forget the ‘A bit of time pressure’ complexes we might have had in the past. A lot “We will do more or less the same as every of different factors came together back then. time,” he insists. “But we will certainly have We have a better youth system now and we a bit of time pressure after the end of the don’t have to look around at the work being domestic season and other competitions like done by other national associations. We have the Champions League. We have always been better facilities, and coaches who are better able to manage those pressures in previous qualified to do a great job.” tournaments, so I hope we will be successful in Del Bosque denies that, in 2016, his team what we do this time.” needs to be reinvented. “Some of the players A further coaching challenge will be the from Brazil are still with us and have been selection of a playing structure, and Del Bosque showing excellent performances at their clubs has displayed enough flexibility to have used all year long,” he maintains. The last three different team shapes to win two Champions Fernando Torres scores Spain’s third goal in their words are not without significance, given that Leagues with Real Madrid plus a EURO and a 4-0 victory over Italy in the players from Barcelona, who have tended World Cup with Spain. In the national team, the final of EURO 2012. Getty Images

18 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 THE TECHNICIAN

“If I had to name main issue is in attack. With neither Barcelona Del Bosque’s daily routine at the national favourites, I think nor the two big Madrid teams fielding Spaniards association’s training centre at Las Rozas France and Germany in their habitual line-ups, he is obliged to cast includes a breakfast with his coaching staff – would be my picks – his net elsewhere – or, as he has done in the not just those pegged to the senior team but past, manage without strikers. In previous front also those responsible for all the age-limit sides. along with Spain.” lines, players such as David Villa could hardly be Spain’s recent successes have been recompense described as classic target strikers and, among for a clear playing philosophy implemented the goalscorers who have caught the eye in from the bottom to the top of the pyramid. Spain’s age-limit sides, Villarreal’s Adrián López “I don’t think there are many coaches who and Paco Alcácer at Valencia are rapiers rather think in a defensive way,” the 65-year-old than blunt-instrument strikers. maintains. “We like to play and be proactive, “The team has always been very interesting to have possession of the ball, to dominate in terms of attack,” Del Bosque comments. matches, to play attacking football and have a “We’ve played with one forward, with two lot of attacking players on the pitch. Of course forwards or with no forwards and a lot of you need balance with defence, but if you midfielders. And almost every time we’ve had dominate the match and impose your game, good results. I don’t think I have a favourite then everything is in your hands.” playing system because it always depends Spain’s possession-based domination on the players available to you and the game now has to be played without the characteristics they have. You draw a picture dancing feet and shrewd footballing brain starting from that. The initial picture is not so of Xavi Hernández. “As I’ve said many times, important. It is more about the way you play he is irreplaceable,” Del Bosque admits. the game.” “But you can’t think about the past; you need to think ahead. If not, you can’t go out and play. We have to adapt our game to players like Thiago, Koke and Isco, all young lads who are also great midfielders.” The question is whether the evolving Spain team is great enough to defend the title and, Getty Images adding Paris to Vienna and Kiev, record a unique hat-trick of victories. “In sport, you win and you lose,” says the imperturbable Del Bosque without so much as a twitch of the moustache. “In the last four years we’ve had the experience of winning matches and losing matches. We didn’t play a good World Cup, that is evident, but we’re still striving to be the best. I wouldn’t say we are the main favourites because we all know how to play football and it has balanced out to such an extent that there is no great superiority of one national team over the others. If I had to name favourites, I think France and Germany would be my picks – along with Spain. We will be one of the teams trying to win the title. But it won’t be easy, as the competition is enormous.” Asked to name three key aspects of a tournament like a EURO, Del Bosque does not hesitate. “Firstly, the human and personal relationships are important – living well together. Secondly, you need to have a clear idea of how you want to play – a clear concept. And you all have to share the same objective. In the end, though, you always need a bit of luck as well. Winning another EURO would be a fantastic achievement. If you have good players, you should be able to achieve good results. The difficult but nice job for the coach is to get all those players together in a winning team.”

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 19 EURO FUTSAL 2016

FUTSAL SCALES NEW HEIGHTS IN SERBIA From 2 to 13 February Belgrade played host to the 9th European Futsal Championship final round, where Spain reclaimed the title.

Belgrade Arena was sold out for many of the matches, particularly those involving Serbia, cheered on by more than 11,000 supporters in their 3-1 group match win against Portugal.

20 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 UEFA DIRECT •March2016 – 21

Getty Images for UEFA EURO FUTSAL 2016 Sportsfile

he record books will show that Russia team recorded a ‘personal best’ by playing their Spain’s Pola scores the first and Spain disputed the final for the way through to the knockout rounds, all tickets of his two goals in the final against Russia. fourth time and that Spain made it were sold within half an hour, with requests three out of four to take their collection totalling 20,000 per game. TV audiences in of European championships to six. countries such as Spain and Portugal made TBut Futsal EURO 2016 in Serbia from 2 to impressive reading. Ricardinho’s magic goal for 13 February could not, by any stretch of the Portugal against Serbia went viral, attracting imagination, be described as a routine affair. 8.5 million views on social media in next to no Records were broken. New benchmarks were time. There was unscriptable drama such as the set. Attendances on the final day sent the total host team’s winning goal against Ukraine when into six figures for the first time in the history of the giant screen showed that 0.3 seconds of the competition. Five of the 20 matches were the quarter-final remained. It all added up to a watched by sell-out crowds of 11,161 at the memorable event and a priceless advertisement magnificent Belgrade Arena. When the Serbia for futsal.

22 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 Getty Images for UEFA

A PASSION FOR FUTSAL The fans turned out in droves and played a big part in the tournament’s success.

“It was a great arena. The fans created a great atmosphere and showed that their passion for sport includes a love for futsal.” That was the parting comment from Portugal coach Jorge Braz after his superstar Ricardinho, having lived up to his ‘Magician’ label with some crazily inventive goals, had been called into the centre of the Belgrade Arena to receive a prolonged standing ovation from another massive crowd of 8,850. That was exactly 1,000 short of the attendance for Spain’s 4-1 win over Ukraine which, two days earlier, had become the highest ever recorded for a Futsal EURO group game not involving the hosts. Serbia’s surging run to a first semi-final appearance, meanwhile, fired public interest to the extent that their matches were played to sell-out crowds of 11,161. The atmosphere was an inspiration to visiting players from countries where domestic games are watched by much smaller audiences – and an initially daunting responsibility for the host team. “It wasn’t easy to start the tournament in front of a record-breaking crowd, and we needed almost the entire first half to get used to the wonderful atmosphere,” Serbia coach Aca Kovačević said. “But such great support from the public drove us on to our success.”

Debutants surprise the odds… exit from the competition after losing to Spain Serbia certainly played its part. Not just the in their first game. However, Azerbaijan and national association who teamed up with UEFA debutants Kazakhstan, in Groups C and D and the city of Belgrade in the organisation of respectively, provided striking exceptions to the the two-week event. The national team, led by rule by bouncing back from defeats to reach Aca Kovačević, fired up the public by beating the quarter-finals. The former edged past the Slovenia in the opening match and fuelled Czech Republic, scoring one more than their passions even further by defeating one of the opponents in an 11-goal thriller. Kazakhstan, title contenders, Portugal, to claim top spot in after losing narrowly to Russia, beat Croatia 4-2 Group A and provoke a stampede for quarter- and went on to become one of the main talking final tickets. points of the tournament. In three-team groups, defeat in the opening Cacau’s team, drawn mostly from Kairat match is usually bad news – and Hungary, in Almaty, champions of Europe at club level Group B, joined Slovenia in making an early in 2013 and 2015, had the unconventional

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 23 Sportsfile

strategy of using goalkeeper Higuita as a fifth This was the follow-up match to the hosts’ Spain’s captain, Ortiz, outfielder – a ploy which disconcerted their dramatic victory over Ukraine, with Miloš celebrates another European Futsal Championship win for opponents. Their quarter-final pitted them Simić skilfully turning a waist-high cross into his country. against defending champions Italy, who had the net after 39’59.7. The thunderstruck looked compact, confident and efficient in Ukrainians barely had time to blink, let alone the group stage which, unusually in futsal, produce a comeback while the local players they negotiated without conceding a goal. and supporters were going wild. Against Kazakhstan, however, their campaign went pear-shaped thanks to a compendium of … and write a piece of history uncharacteristic errors which, every time they Serbia’s first ever semi-final pitted them scored a comeback goal, led them to concede against Russia. Sergei Skorovich’s side had again in a matter of seconds. The champions’ tiptoed through Group C, scoring only four 5-2 defeat was one of the major surprises of goals. But the 6-2 quarter-final win against the event in Belgrade. Azerbaijan hinted that the Russians were Another had been the 3-1 defeat of gaining momentum. Against the hardworking Portugal by Serbia, in spite of Ricardinho’s hosts, with batteries charged by popular wonder goal. It condemned Jorge Braz’s team fervour, they twice took the lead but to a quarter-final against Spain and, even were unable to put any distance between though Ricardinho brought the crowd to its themselves and the hosts. Then a red card for feet with another work of art, the Spanish attacking spearhead Eder Lima allowed Serbia players were well worth their 6-2 victory. to equalise when their opponents were a man

24 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 down, and force extra time. A single goal by of the flying goalkeeper allowed Spain’s Romulo was enough to break local hearts. goalkeeper Paco Sedano to put a high-gloss In the other semi-final, Spain seemed final coat on a brilliant tournament. It also to be cruising against a Kazakhstan side gave wings to Spain’s counterpunching deprived of Higuita, suspended, and Chingiz talents, with Miguelín careering so fast Yesenamanov, injured. They had replied down the left flank that one feared he four times after conceding an early lead, yet might burst out onto the streets of Belgrade. permitted their opponents, fielding a flying Fortunately, he had the braking power and goalkeeper, to creep back to 4-3 before Raúl the presence of mind to cut inside and slot Campos delivered the coup de grâce and set the ball into the unguarded Russian net the scene for Spain’s new final against Russia. to make it 1-5. The same unguarded net Kazakhstan then went on to write a piece of was ruffled twice more from long range history by taking the bronze medal at their by Miguelín and Mario Rivillos, allowing first appearance in the finals, Cacau’s team them to share the top-scorer award. Two romping to a 5-2 victory over the flagging late consolations settled the 3-7 scoreline hosts before yet another capacity crowd. (the highest winning margin in Futsal EURO Russia v Spain is traditionally marked by history), with the 10-goal spectacle also nerves and a degree of caution. When the ball bringing the total to an all-time tournament started rolling in the arena, Russia worked on record of 129. the Spanish nervous system by pressing high The sight of Spanish players walking to disturb their construction work. But, little up to collect their gold medals wearing by little, Spain settled into their high-tempo shirts emblazoned with names like Lozano, passing game and the balance of the game Aicardo or Fernandao, absent from the finals was changed by lapses of concentration in the through injury, gave added value to the Russian ranks. A simple kick-in allowed Spain achievement of Spain’s coach, José Venancio to take the lead and, in 93 seconds, another López, in converting a ‘makeshift team’ into kick-in and two ball wins put an eyebrow- worthy champions of Europe. But there was raising 0-4 on the scoreboard at the arena. much more to the tournament than the A nutshell description of Russia’s demise could goals, the pageantry and the glory. Legacy easily be that losses of possession led to the and sustainability projects had been pegged loss of a title. to the event, and a nationwide primary school programme had culminated in 700 Ten-goal final spectacle boys and girls playing grassroots futsal in the A fine medium-range strike from the right at arena… Futsal EURO 2016 was a success for least added hope and motivation to Sergei Belgrade, a success for Serbia, a success for Skorovich’s half-time talk. But Russia’s use Spain and, above all, a success for futsal.

REACHING A WIDER AUDIENCE Youth, grassroots and social responsibility activities were a key feature of the final tournament.

The impact of Futsal EURO 2016 on final tournament on 10 February at initiatives were promoted with local both futsal and football in Serbia will the arena that had been home to schoolchildren providing illustrations be felt a long time after the trophy futsal’s stars throughout the finals. for a ‘tips and tricks’ guide for was lifted at Belgrade Arena. The social approach aimed not only an environmentally friendly final Capitalising on the excitement that to engage the next generation but tournament, which was published the tournament was able to bring, in doing so, to promote the values in Serbian. a grassroots initiative entitled ‘My of gender equality, fair play and The celebration of European futsal’s School – My Club’ was launched and respect throughout the events. The finest teams also gave a window of played out by Under-12 boys’ and Serbian ministry of education was also opportunity for many to understand girls’ teams at schools across the involved in the inclusion of schools the work of the UEFA Foundation for country. The competition – organised and the distribution of free tickets to Children, with an exhibition portraying with the Football Association of youngsters, provided by UEFA. several perspectives on life at the Serbia (FSS) – concluded with a Meanwhile, sustainability Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 25 REFEREEING

REFEREES READY FOR THE CHALLENGE UEFA recently brought together more than 100 referees and assistant referees from across the continent for two special courses, which included everything from video analysis to intensive technical drills.

EFA holds annual winter courses for its top week of intensive technical and practical work, “Talent must go hand male and female referees, as well as for discussions, analysis and mutual feedback. in hand with hard Unew international officials. The courses, A modern top referee needs to be as much of work and courage, among other things, prepare referees for the an athlete as the players. Consequently, stringent second half of the season, and newcomers are fitness training and medical tests under UEFA which is needed primed for their duties on and off the field. expert Werner Helsen assessed the referees’ to take difficult Cyprus staged the latest courses in Limassol physical condition, along with visual examinations decisions quickly between 31 January and 4 February. Meanwhile, to ensure that their eyesight and vision are up to under pressure in Europe’s leading assistant referees came to the the mark. important matches Mediterranean island from 26 to 28 January for “The UEFA Referees Committee decided to with high stakes.” their own specialist three-day gathering. offer courses which bring together elite male The UEFA Referees Committee comprises and female referees, and newcomers starting out Pierluigi Collina former referees with great experience of major on the international scene, and this has brought Chief refereeing officer, UEFA world and European occasions, and members excellent results,” Referees Committee chairman were, as is customary, present in Cyprus to lead and UEFA first vice-president Ángel María Villar 122 referees, including 30 women, through a Llona said in his welcome address. Sportsfile REFEREEING

“It would be a shame to be among experienced international referees here and not learn from them,” he stressed to the young newcomers in particular. “Use every minute to learn from those Sportsfile with a lot of experience to offer.”

EURO ahead Eighteen elite referees will handle matches at this summer’s UEFA EURO 2016 in France. “This means that they can show the world how good they are,” Villar Llona reflected, “but it also carries a great responsibility in terms of preparation and training.” Further specific training awaits the EURO match officials – referees, assistant referees and additional assistant referees – in April. The referees were briefed about the UEFA Executive Committee’s recent decision to introduce goal-line technology for EURO 2016 and the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League from the play-offs onwards. This system will work alongside additional assistant referees, whose task remains to monitor activity in and around the penalty area. UEFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, introduced the new officials to the attributes needed to be a top referee – including talent, Any attempts to involve referees in match-fixing Back row, L-R: Viktor Kassai courage and a cool head. “You need talent, but required a “Three Rs” solution – Recognise (HUN), Szymon Marciniak (POL), Nicola Rizzoli (ITA), Milorad talent is not enough,” he explained. “Talent must what is happening; Reject an approach; Report Mažić (SRB), Felix Brych (GER), go hand in hand with hard work and courage, the matter. Clément Turpin (FRA). which is needed to take difficult decisions Middle row, L-R: Damir Skomina quickly under pressure in important matches Assistants’ gathering (SVN), Carlos Velasco (ESP), Bjorn Kuipers (NED), Sergey with high stakes.” Meanwhile, just over 50 assistant referees took Karasev (RUS), William Collum Sessions and tests on the Laws of the Game part in their course containing its own targets, (SCO), Cüneyt Çakir (TUR). and their application were led by UEFA refereeing especially in specific on-field training on areas Front row, L-R: Martin Atkinson officer Hugh Dallas and Referees Committee such as agility, acceleration and changing (ENG), Pavel Kralovec (CZE), Ovidiu Hategan (ROU), Svein colleague Vladimir Sajn, as well as presentations direction. “We consider the contribution of Moen (NOR), Mark Clattenburg including numerous video clips of match incidents assistant referees to be crucial,” said Pierluigi (ENG), Jonas Eriksson (SWE). that were the focus of analysis and discussion Collina. “It is obviously important that referees sessions. As well as participating in technical and are on top form, but they need assistant education sessions with their male colleagues, referees to be at the top of their game as well.” the female referees attended their own sessions Former international assistants Leif Lindberg, with Referees Committee members Dagmar Philip Sharp, Giovanni Stevanato and Maciej Damková and Bo Karlsson, and their fitness was Wierzbowski provided invaluable specialist also given a comprehensive test. input in Cyprus. Management skills to control a match and “You are not a linesman anymore – those communicate with players were on the agenda, days are over,” Hugh Dallas told the men with alongside current tactical trends, presented by the flags. “You are now assisting the referee UEFA’s chief technical officer, Ioan Lupescu. With in making accurate decisions, in particular clear communication paramount among a referee on incidents that happen within your area team, Stefan de Sutter, chief flight instructor at of responsibility.” Clear, short and accurate Brussels Airlines, highlighted similarities between communication with the other match officials referees and pilots in having to assess accurately is crucial, as well as situation awareness. “Pay and take quick, correct decisions. attention to changes in a match, such as A referee’s integrity must never be in doubt. when a substitution is made and when a goal “You are now representatives of UEFA, football is scored,” said Dallas. “Remain focused and and fair play,” advised Referees Committee concentrated.” The professional and committed member David Elleray. “You do not tolerate attitude shown by the referees and assistants in corruption or dishonesty. We are unable to Limassol suggests that this will not be an issue as accept any conduct that is unprofessional.” a challenging spring and summer approach.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 27 HISTORY

FROM FOUR TO TWENTY-FOUR The number of teams contesting the final round of the European Football Championship will rise to 24 this year, up from just four in 1960. While the expansion of the tournament has not been linear, mirroring the fits and starts of European history, it is as justified today as it ever was.

n 1927, Henri Delaunay, the general secretary A total of 17 national associations signed up of the French Football Federation, supported for the inaugural competition, but a number of I by his Austrian counterpart, Hugo Meisl, the countries – including the four British nations, coach of Austria’s phenomenal ‘Wunderteam’, Italy, West Germany, the Netherlands and had the idea of organising a competition for Belgium – declined to take part. The competition Europe’s national teams. That competition was was organised on a knockout basis, with teams eventually established after the war, two years playing each other home and away over two after the death of its founding father (who had legs. The semi-finals and the final were scheduled since become the first general secretary of the for early in the summer of 1960 and were to be new Union of European Football Associations), hosted by one of the semi-finalists. with the trophy bearing Delaunay’s name. Four years later, most of the major absentees signed up for the second competition, with 1960 only West Germany and Scotland insisting on Four up remaining on the sidelines. They did, however, There was considerable resistance to the creation take part in the next competition, which was of this new European competition. Sir Stanley renamed the European Football Championship. Rous, the secretary of The Football Association, That competition, which was contested by 31 and Ottorino Barassi, the president of the Italian of UEFA’s 33 member associations, featured a Football Federation, were high-profile opponents qualifying phase involving eight groups. The of the initiative, believing that the competition teams in each group played each other twice Getty Images would overburden the football calendar, stir up on a league basis, with the eight group winners nationalist sentiment, turn into a commercial then facing off in the quarter-finals. The final operation, etc. The clubs, for their part, were tournament (comprising the last two rounds reluctant to release their players for more – i.e. the semi-finals and the final) was again international matches. Meanwhile, FIFA feared hosted by one of the four semi-finalists, a format that this new European Nations’ Cup would that remained in place until after the 1976 overshadow the FIFA World Cup, established tournament. 25 years earlier, in which Europe’s teams were While those first five competitions were won a major force. by five different teams – the Soviet Union (1960), The organisers decided, given that the Spain (1964), Italy (1968), West Germany (1972) football calendar was already heavily congested and Czechoslovakia (1976) – the Soviet Union (with each country’s best players being were the standout team of the period, lifting required, alongside their respective domestic the trophy in 1960, making it to the final in both championships, to play in qualifying matches for 1964 and 1972, and reaching the semi-finals the World Cup, the European Champion Clubs’ in 1968. Cup and international friendlies), to forgo group matches in favour of a knockout format and to 1980 organise the final round of the competition in The big eight even years without a World Cup. On 28 June By the mid-1970s, the UEFA President, Artemio 1957, the UEFA Congress in Copenhagen decided Franchi, had come to the conclusion that the final – by 15 votes to 7, with 4 abstentions and 1 blank round needed to be enlarged if the tournament paper – to establish the European Nations’ Cup. was to have a higher profile. Others agreed

28 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 HISTORY

marvel at Marco van Basten’s Dutch side, which defeated the Soviet Union 2-0 in the 1988 final. EURO ‘92 sparked similar levels of excitement. With the civil war in the Balkans having begun the previous year, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of the eight countries to have qualified. In accordance with competition regulations, UEFA asked the Danish team (which had finished second to Yugoslavia in qualifying) to take their place. The Danish players returned from their summer holidays to take part in – and ultimately win – the tournament, defeating Germany (which had been reunified in October 1990) 2-0 in the final. 1996 Up to 16 The geopolitical upheaval seen in Europe in the early 1990s resulted in a series of new countries joining UEFA, bringing the total number of member associations to 43 – nine more than in 1980. The UEFA Executive Committee began looking at this issue in November 1992 and decided to double the number of teams participating in EURO ’96, which was set to take place in England. This proved to be an excellent idea, as three and a half years later, three of those ‘new’ countries (Russia, Croatia and the Czech Republic) took part in the tournament. Indeed, Pavel Nedvěd and his Czech team-mates got as far as the final, where they lost 2-1, with Presse Sports the Germans needing a golden goal to secure victory. (Four years later, France beat Italy in the Parc des Princes, Paris, 10 July with him, and so the format of the final round final of EURO 2000 in the Netherlands – also 1960: Yugoslavia’s captain, was amended in 1980. That tournament was 2-1, and also thanks to a golden goal – with the Borivoje Kostić, shakes hands with Arthur Ellis, the referee contested by seven teams that had made it golden goal rule subsequently being abolished.) for the first European Nations’ through the qualifying phase – the format of The enlargement to 16 teams was a resounding Cup final, as Igor Netto, captain which was unchanged – plus the host team, success, with the tournament becoming the third of the Soviet Union team that would go on to win that final, which qualified automatically. The eight teams most-watched sporting event on television after hurries over to follow suit. at that new-look tournament were divided into the World Cup and the Olympic Games. two groups of four, with the two group winners Thus far, the 21st century has been notable for Olympic Stadium, Kiev, 1 July contesting the final and the two runners-up both the success of Mediterranean countries – 2012: Spain’s Iker Casillas and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon facing off in the third-place play-off. with France winning in 2000, Greece lifting the demonstrate the now well- Italy was selected to host the 12-day trophy in 2004, and Spain emerging triumphant oiled display of sportsmanship tournament – which was, it must be said, only in 2008 and 2012 – and the dominance of the and respect ahead of the EURO a qualified success. There was an average of Spanish side, with Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas, Ramos et 2012 final. fewer than two goals per game and, above all, al achieving an unprecedented treble by winning there was a lack of public interest in matches EURO 2008, the 2010 World Cup and EURO 2012. not involving Italy. For example, just over 47,000 It has also seen UEFA become the first major spectators saw West Germany beat Belgium international sports federation to take the risk – 2-1 in the final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico – a and reap the rewards – of having the final round stadium that could have accommodated twice of its flagship competition hosted by two different that number. countries: Belgium and the Netherlands in 2000, The addition of semi-finals and the abolition of followed by Austria and Switzerland in 2008, and the third-place play-off at the 1984 tournament Poland and Ukraine in 2012. And in 2020, it will in France – the first to officially be called a ‘EURO’ take the even more audacious step of organising – gave the tournament a dynamism that it has a EURO in 13 different countries. Before that, never lost. Europe marvelled at the wonderful though, EURO 2016 in France will be hosted by a French team, led by Michel Platini, which beat single country – albeit with 24 teams contesting Spain 2-0 in the 1984 final, just as it would the tournament for the very first time.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 29 MORE THAN JUST A TICKET Match tickets for UEFA competitions are more than just passports to the excitement of the stadium experience. They are also technological gems that contain an unexpected amount of information, as you can see from this ticket for the final of EURO 2012.

Competition logo Match number

Tournament’s visual identity Flags of competing countries

Names of finalists

Ticket holder’s reference number and name

Ticket security, printed using ultraviolet ink

Ticket category and price

Stadium pictogram

Location of seat Security hologram

Coloured fibres integrated Place and time of match into the body of the paper

30 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 Barcode Rules governing The various stands of the ticket use stadium are colour-coded

Advert promoting the Barcode UEFA.com website number

Logo of UEFA’s Respect campaign

Directions to the town centre

Map showing how to get to the stadium

Name of stadium Time the stadium gates open

Competition slogan Ticket security

Competition sponsors

Ticket number

Number of the envelope in which the ticket will be placed

In 2012, each ticket gave free QR code linked to the host city access to public transport in the page on UEFA.com host city on the day of the match

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 31 FOR THE RECORD

CLUB LICENSING 10 YEARS ON…

EFA has published a report on how the club licensing system has developed Usince it was introduced over ten years ago, its impact on European club football, and how it is implemented in each of UEFA’s 54 member associations. The report provides an in-depth explanation of the characteristics of the club licensing system and how it functions as well as illustrating how the system has evolved with the introduction of financial fair play. The wide-ranging application of club licensing can be seen through a comprehensive analysis of the scope and extent of club licensing across Europe, In addition, the report also looks at the in respect of both UEFA and domestic achievements in tackling many of the competitions. The report also has a section commonly cited problems of European dedicated to each national licensor, with club football which the system has tried various club licensing information being to address, such as financial transparency, placed within the context of football in inadequate stadiums, overdue payables, each country. and lack of youth investment.

OVERDUE PAYABLES Overdue payables have been reduced by 91% since 2011.

2011 €57m 2012 -47% €30m 2013 -70% €9m 2014 -11% €8m 2015 -37% €5m

32 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 FOR THE RECORD

CLUB LICENSING 10 YEARS ON… TOP-DIVISION TOTAL REVENUE (without transfers) for all 54* UEFA member associations by financial year 0021 0221 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 €12.774bn €13.185bn €14.065bn €15.006bn €15.891bn

*The financial data for Gibraltar is only available for the financial years 2013 and 2014 as they did not become a UEFA member association until 2012.

DOWNTURN IN NET WAGE GROWTH LOSSES After a decade where wage growth outstripped revenue Since the financial fair play rules were growth, revenues have now grown faster than wages for introduced, the combined net losses of two consecutive years. clubs have decreased by 70%.

9.1% 9% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 €1.163bn €792m €1.670bn €1.076bn €487m €1.634bn 6.9% 6.7% 6.7%

6% 5.8%

5.2% 4.3%

3.2% 3.2% 3% Revenue growth Wage growth 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

OPERATING RESULTS €800m European clubs generated the highest underlying operating profits in history in 2014. €300m

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

-€100m -€300m -€200m -€400m

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 33 SPECIAL FEATURE

ICELAND’S QUIET REVOLUTION Iceland were the surprise package of the qualifying campaign for EURO 2016. They have undergone a gradual transformation over the last 15 years – a remarkable development carried out in the country’s sports halls and indoor facilities.

34 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 SPECIAL FEATURE

celand have qualified for EURO 2016, you think about it!” says Vídir Sigurdsson, the first time they have ever made it chief sports editor of the daily newspaper to the final round of Europe’s most Morgunbladid. All the more so given that, prestigious national team competition. for decades, Iceland’s football fans had That feat was made possible by to make do with meagre achievements Ithe team’s unbeaten record at their amid long series of defeats, as well as ‘kick home ground, Laugardalsvöllur (which and rush’ tactics implemented by highly also houses the offices of the national physical players. association on the second floor). No visiting “When we played France here in 1998 team – including the Netherlands, the [ed.: a game that finished 1-1], we had Czech Republic and Turkey – managed to five central defenders at the back, and we secure a win on Icelandic soil. “We are an played long balls to our three forwards. island with a population of 300,000, the The midfield was practically non-existent. The stunning Hásteinsvöllur size of a small European town, and we We didn’t have anyone who was capable stadium on the island have qualified for EURO 2016, as well as of retaining possession,” recalls Hermann of Vestmannaeyjar, home to three-time competing in the European basketball and Hreidarsson, a former captain of the

Icelandic champions ÍBV. handball championships. It’s crazy when national side. “The national team used Heida Helgadóttir

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 35 KSÍ

to be made up of the six or seven guys who of studies, which showed that, if organised The Kórinn hall in Kópavogur played abroad, who were guaranteed to play, properly, enrolling children at sports clubs could near Reykjavik boasts one of Iceland’s seven full-size plus three or four others from the domestic help to reduce alcoholism in that section of the indoor pitches. league, who considered themselves fortunate population. Politicians took steps to address the to be selected. That wasn’t enough when it issue – initially at municipal level.” When town came to taking on the big European teams councils got involved in the early 2000s, and being competitive.” Arnór Gudjohnsen, Iceland was in the midst of an economic boom. a pioneer of Icelandic football who played for The positive effects of that were also being felt RSC Anderlecht and FC Girondins de Bordeaux at local level, as Siggi Eyjólfsson, who was head in the 1980s and early 1990s, says: “Today, of player development and technical director there are perhaps 20 players who are capable at the Football Association of Iceland from of playing abroad and being in the starting 2002 to 2014, explains: “In 2002, town councils 11.” These days, all 10,000 tickets for matches began building indoor pitches. People were at Laugardalsvöllur (which holds 3% of the happy for their local taxes to be used in that country’s population) are snapped up in minutes, way, as they wanted their children to have the regardless of the opposition. opportunity to train.” So, how has a country in the north Atlantic, which previously had to be content with trying to An indoor solution lose by as small a margin as possible, managed Back then, Iceland had just one indoor pitch. to produce 100 or so professional footballers Now, 13 years later, it has a total of 13 (7 full size and become a feared destination for opposing and 6 half size), as well as around 30 artificial 329,100 teams in just five years? Óskar Thór Ármannsson, outdoor pitches, 154 mini-pitches and 148 With a population of who is in charge of sport at a ministry that natural outdoor pitches the length and breadth 329,100 and a surface area spans culture, youth, science and education, of the island. That has been a key factor in the of 102,775km2, Iceland is looks back at the origins of the transformation: development of Icelandic football, given that the one of the least densely “In the 1990s, we had a problem with young country’s domestic championship runs from mid- populated countries on Earth people drinking alcohol and smoking. As a May to the end of September on account of its at 3.2 residents per square result, the ministry commissioned a number weather. “In the past, people played basketball kilometre.

36 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 SPECIAL FEATURE

and handball in the winter months, and football was a summer sport. You can forget about HAT-TRICK HITS playing on grass in this country between October and the end of April. Between the wind, the THE SPOT rain, the snow and the ice, it’s just not possible. Now, football is no longer just a summer sport. Iceland’s achievement in qualifying for With indoor pitches, and even artificial outdoor EURO 2016 is just the tip of the iceberg. pitches, players can train all year round,” explains The women’s senior and Under-17s Heimir Hallgrímsson, joint head coach of the teams and the men’s Under-21s have all national side. qualified for European Championship On the outskirts of the capital, top-flight club final tournaments in recent years, Breidablik have a gigantic indoor facility where indicating that the development work you can smell the freshly laid artificial turf. Its the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ) KSÍ fantastic artificial surface makes it one of the has undertaken in the past decade has “All clubs must be best player development centres in the country – benefitted all levels of the game. For with players such as Swansea City AFC midfielder the KSÍ president, Geir Thorsteinsson, coached by people Gylfi Sigurdsson having learnt their trade there – UEFA’s HatTrick programme, which is with at least a and it allows teenagers to train after school up to entirely funded by revenue from the UEFA B licence, five times a week. The rest of the time, they play European Football Championship, has if not an A licence. matches. Children over the age of 14 even have been instrumental in improving standards Before you can start the opportunity to travel abroad to tournaments, across the board. “It has helped in coaching, even if explains Dadi Rafnsson, the club’s head of player many ways, both in technical aspects you want to coach development: “They have been to England to and also in terms of facilities,” he said. play against Chelsea FC and West Ham United “That could be various things – pitches, children, you need FC. They now know that they are just as good as or football halls or stands for our top to have a B licence. those sides and capable of beating them.” division – but in fact it has improved It’s mandatory.” conditions throughout our game. It has A big small country been vital that UEFA has really taken Heimir Hallgrímsson Joint head coach of Iceland is small in terms of its population, but care to distribute the money created Iceland’s national team not in terms of its physical size. It is larger than in the international game to the small Portugal, for example. And although two-thirds associations as well. Without that of its population live in Reykjavik, the remainder financial support we would never have are scattered among Iceland’s glaciers, lava fields been able to achieve this.” and herds of sheep. The country’s vast expanses of wild terrain and the permanent battle against HatTrick I (2004–08) the elements are also defining features of the Enlargement of the Laugardalsvöllur famous Icelandic psyche, Heimir Hallgrímsson national stadium; construction of new KSÍ explains: “The people of Iceland like to think headquarters that they are tougher than other nations, that HatTrick II (2008–12) they have something special that makes them Infrastructure projects; completion of stronger. The primary reason for that – and this the new headquarters; grassroots and is a fact – is the weather. It can be nice, but social projects then ten minutes later, you can have a storm, HatTrick III (2012–16) rain or snow. You just have to get on with it. Construction fund for facilities in This can sometimes be a tough place to live, regions, clubs and municipalities; especially outside of Reykjavik. There are plenty goalkeeper course for young players; of things that are simply not possible because mini-pitch festivals; regional referee of the weather.” education programme So, Iceland had the players, the facilities HatTrick IV (2016–20) and the right mentality. It just needed some Goalkeeper development; grassroots people to bring it all together. In 2002, activities; construction fund; Siggi Eyjólfsson, a former international with a social responsibility programmes degree in sports psychology from the University of North Carolina, became the national association’s technical director. His task was to B licence, if not an A licence. Before you can start train the country’s football coaches. He decided, coaching, even if you want to coach children, with the support of the national association, that you need to have a B licence. It’s mandatory,” coaches should be required to obtain coaching Hallgrímsson explains. As a result, the country licences before they could be hired. “All clubs now boasts a wealth of talented coaches, must be coached by people with at least a UEFA from the villages of the western fjords to the

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 37 SPECIAL FEATURE

capital Reykjavik. Íris Róbertsdóttir, president onwards. “The crisis was very hard, as there was of Icelandic club ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar, concurs: an enormous amount of uncertainty and nobody “The coach of my six-year-old daughter’s team knew what was going to happen. For at least has a UEFA A licence. The association is very two years, people were losing their jobs and strict on that. It’s not possible for teams to be property prices were exorbitant,” Dadi Rafnsson coached by someone’s mum or dad. All coaches explains. “However, in a small country, everyone are qualified and paid, even in a village with has a safety net, and people often perform 500 inhabitants.” Eyjólfsson has now stepped two different functions. A lawyer might also down from that position and is assistant coach be a writer; a taxi driver might be a drummer at Lillestrøm SK in Norway, but that does not in a band that is touring Europe. Our team’s prevent him from praising the Icelandic model goalkeeper, for instance, also directs videos and at his press conferences: “In Iceland, there are adverts.” 90 clubs and around 700 coaches with licences. Although the country was collapsing, some More than 200 of those have an A licence, and people saw the crisis as an opportunity – a the rest have a B licence.” chance for Icelandic football to take a good Having been buoyed by the economic growth look at itself. That introspection proved to be of the early to mid-2000s, the country then beneficial. In his ministerial office, Óskar Thór faced a more difficult situation from 2008 Ármannsson concurs: “The financial crisis reduced the amount of money in the game. It became more difficult for clubs to find sponsors, but the crisis had no impact on the development GEIR THORSTEINSSON of the sport, as a crisis forces you to find new resources and do even more with what you have.” Dadi Rafnsson’s club, Breidablik, is a perfect illustration of that: “In 2006, we had ‘I’VE BEEN DREAMING OF quite a few foreign players. They were the only professionals at the club, and we finished in the THIS FOR SUCH A LONG TIME’ lower reaches of the table. They all left in 2008 when we stopped being able to pay them, and It has been a steep climb, but the view from the summit makes we were forced to play youngsters developed it worthwhile for the Football Association of Iceland president. at the club. Some were as young as 16, but we ended up winning the league! Nine of them are now playing professionally in Europe.” How do you youth levels because we are so feel looking few. We have 20,000 registered ‘Here, everyone knows ahead to players, two-thirds of whom are an international’ EURO 2016? 16 or under. We didn’t have the The team’s tactical mastermind is Lars It’s a proud facilities to work all year round or Lagerbäck. “He has done a superb job. He has KSÍ moment. I’ve the coaching diplomas that we have got the team organised; he knows how to stop been dreaming of this for such a implemented now, through UEFA, opponents from playing; and he knows how to long time. Now it’s a fact it’s really and which have raised the standard. get results with small nations, as he showed with exciting. There will be between 7,000 We also made demands through Sweden,” explains his colleague Hallgrímsson, and 9,000 people travelling to each the club licensing system – another who is due to take sole charge of the side after match. It’s unbelievable. UEFA project. We have gained a lot EURO 2016. When the Swede arrived in 2011, from that because we have imposed he immediately brought in promising young What are the keys to conditions on the clubs, requiring players such as Jóhann Gudmundsson, Aron this success? them to have qualified coaches for Gunnarsson, Kolbeinn Sigthórsson and Gylfi Improving the facilities has been so even the youngest players. Sigurdsson. “They played together for the important for our game. Building the Under-21s, so they know each other very well, football halls really changed training Mini-pitches are both on and off the pitch. They also acquired conditions. When I was young we also popular… good experience of international football at didn’t have such facilities. It was so When we started the project youth level, which is of great benefit. All of them different to what we have today, our aim was to build about 40 are at good clubs and playing regularly, which when we can train more or less all mini-pitches, but we’ve built is very important to me,” he says. Lagerbäck year round. about 150 all over Iceland. In the switched to a 4-4-2 and made use of the small communities, that has been inherent adaptability of the Icelandic people – What coaching structures very positive for the game – even a nation used to living in the middle of nowhere have been put in place? from the smallest places you get in the shadow of volcanos. “We are a very well We’ve always worked hard at our great players. organised team, and everybody works very hard for the team. That is the basis for our success.

38 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 AFP/Getty Images

Kolbeinn Sigthórsson on the Gylfi Sigurdsson is a world-class player, but taken that final step with qualification for ball during Iceland’s 2-2 draw with Latvia on 10 October 2015. compared with the Netherlands or France, we do EURO 2016. However, the Football Association not have as many talented individuals or players of Iceland is already looking further ahead and of the same calibre. When you’re facing a team wants to achieve sustainable development in the that is as strong as the Netherlands, you have to longer term. It has few resources, admittedly, adapt. I instructed one of our forwards to drop but it has plenty of ideas. For example, the back when we were defending, in order to help limitations imposed by Iceland’s small pool prevent their midfield from launching attacks. of players mean that the country’s player That’s something you don’t need to do when development centres hardly reject anyone. you’re playing against weaker sides.” This means that even occasional late developers After very nearly taking Iceland to the 2014 are catered for. “The idea is that young players World Cup in Brazil (with the team finishing are never turned away before the age of 19. second in their group, before being beaten by There is always a team that they can play for,” Croatia in the play-offs), Lagerbäck has now Dadi Rafnsson says. “Alfred Finnbogason, for example, who has just joined Olympiacos FC and was the top goalscorer in the Dutch league, was ICELAND’S QUALIFYING in the B team here at Breidablik until the age CAMPAIGN of 19.” What is more, public pressure is almost non-existent in Iceland, in the same way that Iceland 3-0 Turkey players don’t have star status. It’s not unusual, Latvia 0-3 Iceland for example, to see Eidur Gudjohnsen walking Iceland 2-0 Netherlands freely around the town centre when he’s back in Czech Republic 2-1 Iceland the country, without being asked for pictures or Kazakhstan 0-3 Iceland autographs. “Here, everyone knows someone Iceland 2-1 Czech Republic from the national team personally. And they Netherlands 0-1 Iceland certainly know someone who knows someone. Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan Everyone has an uncle or a cousin who has Iceland 2-2 Latvia played football at a high level,” Dadi Rafnsson Turkey 1-0 Iceland says. Iceland is like every other small country in that respect.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 39 REFEREES GIVE BLOOD encourage people to give blood, to to blood, to give people encourage to inacampaign part took instructors referee and referees Herzegovina’s 2018 Cup World qualifiers. for the ready team national the tois get now mission 2016.EURO first Baždarević’s at aplace on out missing team the despite team, national of the coach as contract two-year anew Baždarević Mehmed to offer decided (NFSBiH) Federation in challenges and influences the and method’ ‘Belgian of the success the as well as countries, to other relative stands Austria of where question the topics, other among discussed, who participants, 300 by attended was It activity. development professional acontinuing as counted and UEFABlicences Pro, Aand with coaches at aimed was seminar The capital. the of outskirts the on Enzersdorf Maria and in Vienna Franz-Horr-Stadion at seminar education coach annual its held BY FUAD KRVAVAC FUAD BY BOSNIA ANDHERZEGOVINA BY REDL CARMEN AUSTRIA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS 40 40 ANNUAL COACH EDUCATION SEMINAR Ruttensteiner, Niko Kovač, Werner Gregoritsch and and Gregoritsch Werner Kovač, Niko Ruttensteiner, In other news, Bosnia and and Bosnia news, other In L-R: Wolfgang Luisser (U21 assistant coach), Willi Willi coach), (U21 assistant Luisser Wolfgang L-R:

F. Krvavac coach) assistant team (senior Janeschitz Thomas – UEFA DIRECT •March2016 Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Football Herzegovina and Bosnia of the board executive the of 2015, meeting last At its Football Association (ÖFB) (ÖFB) Association Football Austrian the mid-January In Some of the Sarajevo referees who responded to the call to give blood give to call the to responded who referees Sarajevo the of Some

association. “We plan to make plan “We association. referees cantonal Sarajevo of the chairman and campaign of the organizers of the one Hasanbegović, Ibrahim lives,” save so, to help said in doing and, blood to give call to the responded country. of the breadth and width the through out message the getting part, took associations referee regional the All lives. everyday inour practised be should and play of field the beyond extend should that fair something that is play public the and sportsmen to other highlight ball. the winning after to attack defence from transition the and philosophy of afootballing implementation the as such issues on focused seminar the of part practical The decision-making. “Around 300 donors across the country country the across “Around donors 300 ÖFB’s by the to presentations addition In

ÖFB professional development at the ÖFB. ÖFB. the at development professional continuing and education coach managing of service years many long after retiring are who Pichlmann, Ilse and Waldhardt to Otto farewell afond to bid opportunity Dany Ryser. UEFA instructor and Osieck Holger instructor FIFA Association), Football Belgian Royal the at education coach of (head Van Haegen Der Kris Kovač, Niko were They practice. and of theory matters on wisdom their of benefit the participants the to hand give on also were speakers international Gregoritsch, Werner Under-21 national of the coach the side, and Ruttensteiner, director, Willi sporting football scene. football national the on role amajor play already which Macedonia), FYR and Montenegro (Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, region in the unions players’ other with cooperation rights,” said. of their he protection the in forward astep is union of the creation however, the Herzegovina; and Bosnia in inclubs players football of registered account takes certainly federation “The NFSBiH. the at events and competitions by Elmir Pilav, of head attended also was meeting inaugural The said. he advantage,” ahuge is which us, behind is other football assistance. The association and support maximum provide will union players’ career. his during “The problems these encountered who someone and footballer aformer as union new of the union. players’ professional anational to establish was it idea whose time,” on Džidić, paid Aldin being said not insurance, salaries and health and disability pension, of non-payment the concern country inour by footballers faced problems biggest “The in Zenica. held been has Herzegovina and Bosnia of footballers professional of union the now,” event annual an it added. he The seminar was also a fitting afitting also was seminar The The union will work in close in close work will union The chairman elected was Paškalj Vitomir Elsewhere, the constituent of assembly www.nfsbih.ba www.oefb.at MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BULGARIA www.bfunion.bg CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr SEMINAR FOR PAST AND PRESENT IN FOCUS ELITE REFEREE BY TOMISLAV PACAK

OBSERVERS Davor Šuker with honorary presidents BY THE MEDIA DEPARTMENT Mladen Vedriš and Branko A seminar for FIFA elite referee Mikša observers was held in Sofia in January, with 28 participants attending the five-day event. The seminar was held in collaboration with the Bulgaria FA (BFU) referees committee. The main goal of the seminar was to improve the quality of referee observers through a new interactive way of analysing situations on the pitch and to ensure that referee observers work from the same criteria as referees. The seminar featured HNS workshops, presentations and educational tests on topics including fouls and In December, the president of the almost 200 boys and girls took part. misconduct, tactical fouls, ‘How do match Croatian Football Federation (HNS), The HNS also organised a first football incidents affect match officials’ individual Davor Šuker, unveiled a monument forum in Zagreb, gathering many marks?’, offside, debriefing exercises, to the first football in Croatia in the city respectable individuals as speakers for analysis of assessment reports and the of Zupanja. The first football was brought two panel discussions – on the role of Laws on the Game. to Zupanja in the late 19th century by the media and the role of business in English industrialists. “I am proud to see Croatian football. this monument in Zupanja, which shows Looking back to 2015, a number that we care about the history of the of Croatian players were recognised game. At the same time, however, we are for their achievements during the determined to invest as much as possible year. Real Madrid's Luka Modrić was in new pitches and equipment so we can selected for the FIFA FIFPro World provide the best conditions for developing XI, while Barcelona's Ivan Rakitić was new football talent in every part of named Croatian sportsman of the year, Croatia,” Davor Šuker said. becoming only the fifth footballer to BFU In other news, during its regular receive the award in the 64-year history general meeting, the HNS named former of the award. The Croatian Olympic The main instructor at this seminar was presidents Mladen Vedriš and Branko Committee chose the Croatian national FIFA technical referee instructor Steve Mikša as honorary presidents. Vedriš was team as the best promoter of Croatia for Bennett. “As with any referees, you always the first president of the Croatian Football the sixth time in the history of the award. have to remind them about new laws Federation, while Mikša led the HNS at While preparing for EURO 2016, the and concepts that we have to introduce. the time of its biggest success, when it HNS has already started planning for In order to raise the level of referees, won the bronze medal at the 1998 World the European Under-17 Championship we have to bring up the level of referee Cup. The HNS also acknowledged the final tournament that it will be hosting in instructors and also we have to make sure many contributions of Martin Novoselac, 2017. At the kick-off meeting organised the observers are reporting the correct former player and long-standing youth with the LOC, the tournament director, information from the match on their report coach, who retired at the end of 2015. Romeo Jozak, said: “A huge project is in order for the referees to learn,” he said. While caring about its history and ahead of us, but I can say that we are UEFA refereeing officer Marc Batta was a important figures, the HNS is at the same looking forward to the challenge.” guest at the seminar. “The BFU referees time focusing on the future of football. Last but not least, the HNS has committee is doing a good job and we In that regard, the first women's futsal appointed an experienced security will continue to work on it. The key is to championship kicked off in December expert, Miroslav Marković, as its new work,” he said. with a well-organised tournament in security officer. His predecessor, Zoran At the end of this successful event, Steve Zadar, and in January, Rovinj and Umag Cvrk, has moved to the new position Bennett presented all participants with a hosted the traditional winter camps of assistant executive director for event FIFA certificate of attendance. for the different youth teams, in which management and match manager.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 41 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

CZECH REPUBLIC www.fotbal.cz DENMARK www.dbu.dk GRASSROOTS NEW NATIONAL COACH GALA NIGHT BY MARTIN MOGENSEN

BY MICHAL BLAŽEJ The appointment of Norwegian Malmö (Sweden) and the Norwegian Åge Hareide as the new head national team. Grassroots football in the Czech coach of the Danish national His contract as Denmark’s national Republic was celebrated at a gala team signals the start of a new era, after coach is for two years, with the option evening on 10 January. It was the Morten Olsen resigned following the of a two-year extension. 14th ceremony of its kind. During the EURO 2016 play-offs in November. evening, attended by more than 500 The main goal is clear: to qualify for the guests, awards were presented to the 2018 World Cup. For that, Hareide comes best men’s, women’s and futsal players to the job with a worthy track record that and coaches, as well as, among others, bolsters confidence in achieving that goal. for the best grassroots event, best social He has won the Norwegian and Danish programme and fair play. The winner of championships, is a two-time winner the main category, the best Under-19 of the Norwegian cup and Swedish player, was Czech Under-21 international championship, and is also a Swedish cup Václav Černý of Ajax Amsterdam, who winner. In addition, he guided Malmö to took the award the group stage of the UEFA Champions for the second League in 2014/15 and 2015/16. year in a row. FACR Born in 1953 in Ålesund, in western Unfortunately, Norway, Hareide played for Hødd, Václav could not Molde (Norway), Manchester City and be there to collect Norwich City, as well as earning 50 caps his award because for Norway and scoring five goals for his he was at an country. After he hung up his playing Ajax Amsterdam boots, he moved into coaching and in training camp this capacity has had spells with, among in Turkey at others, Molde, Helsingborg (Sweden), the time. Václav Černý Brøndby (Denmark), Rosenborg (Norway), DBU

ENGLAND www.thefa.com ON THE ROAD TO THE PEOPLE’S FA CUP

BY ANTHONY SNOW

The FA People’s Cup got under captain of Croydon Casuals, who were a feature on the BBC and deciding to way in January, featuring over beaten finalists in the Walking Football get involved locally. Since then, he has 4,000 teams and 35,000 amateur tournament last year, hopes his team can helped form the Casuals and has been players across England. With 129 go one better this time around. “Last involved in numerous competitions as different venues playing host to the first year everyone enjoyed the competition well thoroughly enjoying the social side round, it was a busy weekend. Winning and while we were disappointed to lose of the game. teams from the first round go through on penalties, it was great just to be in the A host of familiar faces turned out to to the regional semi-finals in February, grand final of a national competition,” support participants in the first round, with the finals forming part of the Sport he said. including England goalkeeping legend Relief charity weekend in March, when Clarke expects this season’s cup Peter Shilton, England women’s all- the teams will compete for the chance will prove even tougher to conquer, time top goalscorer Kelly Smith, and to win tickets to The FA Cup Final in May given the rising popularity of walking the chairman of The FA, Greg Dyke, at Wembley. football in the last six months. With who said: “Again, what a fantastic The competition features ten different the game restricted to those over the tournament it is proving to be – categories, male and female, ranging age of 50, it is a growing format of the bigger and better than last year and a from an Under-14 tournament to walking sport, which does not surprise Clarke wonderful opportunity for everyone football for the over-50s. There is also in the slightest. He has been involved in taking part to experience their own a pan-disability tournament. Ian Clarke, walking football since 2013 after seeing cup romance.”

42 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ESTONIA www.jalgpall.ee CLUB RUNS SUCCESSFUL CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

BY MAARJA SAULEP

The south Estonian top-division 3,109 people, companies and businesses football club JK Tammeka had donated to the project. The campaign Tartu has successfully run a ran for 71 days, from 2 November 2015 to EFA crowdfunding campaign, during which 12 January 2016. The virtual football field used for the campaign it raised €150,000 to put towards The project came about because the improving local training conditions. The town of Tartu has about 2,000 football covered by a bank loan and with the money will be used to convert an old players in all age groups, including its help of the Estonian FA. The remaining stadium into a modern training facility top division team, but lacks high-quality €150,000 comes from the successful called the Sepa football centre. pitches for training and games. During crowdfunding project. The new football The club launched a website and invited winter time the existing artificial pitches centre should be ready in July, when JK people to make a donation by buying their cannot cope with the demand and get Tammeka Tartu plans to organise Estonia’s own virtual square metre of the artificial icy and overcrowded. biggest ever public viewing there, inviting field. By the end of the campaign, all the The total cost of the project is all the donors to watch the EURO 2016 square metres had been sold and a total of €450,000, two-thirds of which is being final on a giant screen on the new field.

FINLAND www.palloliitto.fi with each other and share their social NEW FOOTBALL APPLICATION media profiles and football-related videos, for example. Players will also be able to BY JUKKA SALASUO communicate with their coaches, who, in turn, will be able to give Football and futsal players in new players will receive on registering. feedback to players, with Finland now have an official mobile For children the application can be a view to encouraging application at their disposal. downloaded onto their parents’ mobile players to practise more Launched in November, Futis currently devices. With the application, the practice in their own time. Over includes the player pass (licence), news of sending out printed player passes by time, as new functions and also benefits and discounts from the post becomes a thing of the past, with are developed, the official Finland national team online store. electronic passes replacing the old paper. application is expected All existing players – about 130,000 of The application will develop all the time to become a popular them – have already received log-in and will eventually include many more tool for all football and instructions and usernames, which functions, allowing players to communicate futsal players in Finland. SPL

FRANCE www.fff.fr ONE-STOP SHOP FOR MEDIA

BY LAURA GOUTRY

The French Football Federation since January, all the information that (FFF) has launched a new IT journalists need is now at their tool for journalists. Devised to fingertips. Media representatives can

facilitate the transmission of information also use the extranet to request FFF and communication with the FFF’s accreditation for FFF events or to submit press office, this extranet platform will filming requests. eventually become the main interface This project comes under the Blue between journalists and the FFF. Horizon 2016 action plan, one of the With press releases, press kits, main aims of which is to modernise breaking news, the media library, video and improve the way French football content, and more available there is run.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 43 NATIONAL APPOINTED TEAM MEDICAL and not only bring a vast amount of of amount avast bring only not and professions chosen intheir experts are Iain and Gracia Dr Both physiotherapist. head as appointed been has physio) team national the to be continues and been has Latin (who Iain and officer medical chief new the becomes Gracia Keith Dr effect, immediate With issues. and matters medical association’s the Generally, clubs in Israel do not have not do inIsrael Generally, clubs IFA. the to affiliated are that region geographic inthat teams and to clubs services provide that centres regional 12 from aged to 14.for players country the around regions infive start will project The inIsrael. football develop to project of anational part as months few next inthe centres competence operating start will authorities, local BY EITAN DOTAN EITAN BY BY STEVENGONZALEZ MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS 44 44 IN REGIONS THE CENTRES COMPETENCE ISRAEL GIBRALTAR Head physiotherapist Iain Latin at work at Latin Iain physiotherapist Head

The competence centres will constitute constitute will centres competence The GFA – UEFA DIRECT •March2016

the ministry of sport and the the and of sport ministry the with inconjunction (IFA), Association Football Israel The team to take charge of all of of of all toteam take charge medical anew appointed FA recently Gibraltar The

represent my country but also work with with work also but my country represent only not I can aGibraltarian as where in aposition to be honour immense an is It FA. Gibraltar by the role this offered have been privilege to immense an and for me opportunity agreat is “It started: to get wait cannot and appointment them. with reputation local and unparalleled immense an bring also but department, FA’s Gibraltar to the knowledge medical to find and foster talented youngsters; youngsters; talented and foster to find officials. their and clubs for the level highest the at training and instruction guarantee also will They capabilities. training to improve and courses specialisation professional to as run well as coaches, qualify to and train used be will centres the addition, In advance. and to train able be will youngsters talented all which at academies regional as serve therefore will manpower. centres and The academies, as such resources enrichment, professional to provide capability the Dr Keith Gracia is thrilled about his his about thrilled is Gracia Keith Dr Each centre has multiple objectives: objectives: multiple has centre Each

Gibraltar FA.”Gibraltar the within assets Gibraltarian great of pool growing ever to our add and reputations, great with both professionals, medical talented Gibraltarian extremely are FA set-up. They Gibraltar into the Iain and Keith welcome that I pleasure great FA: with is “It Gibraltar the Iain into and Gracia Dr both welcome to able to be delighted is Beiso, Dennis and growth.” development its to team ensure medical the with working to forward looking much FA very am and Gibraltar to grateful the extremely I am teams. national of our all with work and my country to represent aprivilege be to continue will and been always has It opportunity. and role this given have been am absolutely delighted and honoured to “I started: to get wait cannot and also 2013, in November Slovakia against friendly, official first its since team national withGibraltar’s efficiently extremely of.” proud be all can that we into one department medical FA's Gibraltar the developing and project exciting of this part to being forward looking much very Iam groups. age our of all throughout footballers top our and it.” upgrade enhance and football of Israeli activities the competence centres the will widen that doubt no is There clubs. big as well as clubs for small and areas peripheral in –for those for everyone conditions equal to provide make possible also it will centres competence “The said: manager, and the project department, education and teams IFA national the of director Hershco, Ronen facilities. training enlarged and improved provide naturally, and, to staff; professional and coaches foster and to advance The association’s general secretary, general secretary, association’s The worked has meanwhile, Latin, Iain www.gibraltarfa.com www.football.org.il

MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ITALY www.figc.it KAZAKHSTAN www.kff.kz WOMEN’S NEW ACADEMY OPENS FOOTBALL BY DMITRIY NESTERENKO IN SCHOOLS On 1 December the Football the BIIK football centre, which provides Federation of Kazakhstan football infrastructure (including a BY DIEGO ANTENOZIO (KFF) held a formal ceremony hotel); the administration of the South to mark the opening of its Ontustik Kazakhstan region, which funds some The youth and schools department Academy in the city of Shymkent. The of the upkeep of the academy; and the of the Italian Football Federation ceremony was attended by, among KFF, which provides coaches, kit and (FIGC) is expanding its project others, the first deputy mayor of the equipment. ‘Valori in Rete’ (Values in goal) with South Kazakhstan region, Darkhan The academy actually opened for a specific programme tailored to the Satybaldy, as well as the KFF president, business in June last year, when Spanish development of women’s football and Yerlan Kozhagapanov, general secretary, youth coaches helped their Kazakh futsal in junior high schools. Azamat Aitkhozhin, vice-presidents Seilda counterparts to select 65 top young ‘Ragazze in gioco’ (Girls at play), Bayshakov and Baghlan Ergeshev, and footballers from among more than 600 designed in cooperation with the ministry executive committee member Bauyrzhan children aged between 10 and 14. In of education, universities and research Abdubaitov. They were joined by Kazakh January, the Spanish coaches returned to (MIUR), has three main objectives: football stars past and present. the academy to select a new group to promote football and sport among “I am delighted to be here with you of talents, all born in 2004. girls; to increase participation in FIGC all celebrating the Day of the First The Day of the First President of the women’s competitions; and to reduce President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Republic of Kazakhstan was chosen for the number of young people who give and the official opening of the Ontustik the opening ceremony to pay tribute up playing sport. Academy,” the KFF president said in to the support and encouragement Schools that regularly compete in school his welcome speech. After the official shown by the country’s president, sports championships will be invited to opening ceremony, a group of players Nursultan Nazarbayev, to youth football take part in the project, as will interested from the Ontustik Academy took to the development. By opening football schools that meet certain requirements, field alongside their idols, playing a match academies and centres around the such as having suitable football/futsal against a team of Kazakh football stars. country, we aim to create a pool of infrastructure and the possibility of The match ended in a 0-0 draw. talent for our country’s national teams coaching support from local FIGC-licensed The Ontustik Academy was created at youth and senior level, and, ultimately, clubs. Before the programme kicks off in with the support of the KFF on the basis to put Kazakhstan on the map as a global March, coaches from the FIGC’s youth and of a public-private partnership between footballing powerhouse. schools department will deliver ten hours of training to the school teachers involved. ‘Ragazze in gioco’ also gives schools the opportunity to organise activities outside of school time at the clubs providing coaching support. In May, the participating schools will compete in a tournament to determine which ones will be included in the overall programme to support the development of women’s football.

Players from the Ontustik Academy KFF

FICG take on Kazakh football stars

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

LATVIA www.lff.lv VAŅINS VOTED FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

BY TOMS ĀRMANIS

Andris Vaņins, who plays in goal and off the football pitch. The theme of named best top division player, Andris for the Latvian national team as this year’s event was ‘People with values Treimanis taking the best referee award well as for FC Sion in Switzerland, shape football’. for the second year in a row, and Haralds has been voted Latvia’s footballer of the Other highlights of the evening Gudermanis being named the best year for 2015. It was his third such award, included Ieva Bidermane being named assistant referee for no less than the having previously won the title in 2008 best women footballer of the year, seventh year in a row. The best youth and 2013, and the third year in a row Argentine Cristian Damian Torres being footballer of 2015 was Ņikita Juhnevičs. that the award went to a goalkeeper. The footballer of the year is voted for by the coaches of the different Latvian national teams, the top division clubs and their captains, the top division union, the members of the board of the Latvian Football Federation (LFF) and Latvian football journalists. Other nominees were defenders Kaspars Dubra and Kaspars Gorkšs and striker Deniss Rakels. The heroes of Latvian football in 2015 were hailed at the annual awards evening of the LFF, when 25 awards were presented to the most notable persons on LFF

MALTA www.mfa.com.mt MALTA FA INVESTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE

BY ALEX VELLA

The Malta FA is constantly National Stadium. This facility will make also inaugurated last year. expanding and improving its it possible for the natural grass pitches These and other ongoing works are infrastructure. Projects are also to be used at irregular hours. At the also bound to have a bearing on the geared towards making the association’s National Stadium itself, the grass pitch association’s objective of attracting facilities more attractive for its member will be replaced by a lush new surface commercial business by offering better clubs and the different Maltese national once the 2015/16 season is over. The aim facilities for training camps for foreign teams. In recent months a new is to have the new pitch in place by the teams. The island’s mild climate and floodlighting system was installed at the summer. Elsewhere, a new state-of-the- relatively warm temperatures, besides training grounds adjacent to the Ta’ Qali art medical and physiotherapy clinic was the grass training grounds and quality facilities, should lure clubs from Europe PSV Eindhoven at the Ta’ Qali training grounds and beyond for training sessions during their cold winter season. The proximity of hotels to the training hub will be another advantage. In early January the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven were on the island for a week. They were followed by Legia Warsaw of Poland, whose two-week stint also turned out to be very useful for them. A third team, who are staying until mid-February, are Terek Grozny from Russia’s top division. As this goes to show, our investment in infrastructure is already paying off, both for our own D. Aquilina teams as well as those from abroad.

46 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

MOLDOVA www.fmf.md NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com BRIGHTENING THE LIVES ROADSHOWS OF ORPHANED CHILDREN INSPIRE GIRLS

BY THE PRESS OFFICE BY NIGEL TILSON

As part of its ongoing charitable The Irish FA will be delivering

work, the Football Association of FMF girls’ football roadshows across Moldova (FMF) paid its traditional Northern Ireland in April and visit bearing gifts to the Concordia May. The Live Your Goals roadshows are orphanage in Pirita in the east Moldovan aimed at increasing the number of girls region of Dubasari. that play football in Northern Ireland It was the tenth year in a row that the and helping to raise the profile of the FMF had visited the orphanage, where sport. The Irish FA’s women’s domestic 300 children ranging in age from one to football manager, Sara Booth, said: 16 gathered in the sports hall to receive “We are working hard to encourage gifts of sweets, footballs and magazines more girls to play football and from the FMF president, Pavel Cebanu, After the children had received their programmes such as Live Your Goals are accompanied by Moldovan internationals gifts, they had the opportunity to get imperative in helping us achieve this.” Ion Jardan and Alexandru Vremea, both autographs and to sing and dance for The free-entry roadshows, aimed at of FC Zimbru Chișinău. their famous guests. girls aged 10 and 11, will feature skills

NETHERLANDS www.knvb.nl WORLDCOACHES REACHES 56,000 CHILDREN IN 2015

BY BRAM GROOT

Last year was a very good year for than 9,000 certificates have been IFA the WorldCoaches programme awarded to local coaches and over of the Royal Netherlands Football 360,000 children have been inspired to drills, small-sided games, inflatables, Association (KNVB). It got 56,000 children develop their social and sporting skills. competitions and music. They are in 13 different countries playing football. Aron Winter, former Dutch international being held at 16 venues right across Furthermore, 1,400 certificates were and player with Ajax, Lazio Roma and Northern Ireland. awarded to local coaches, who are now Inter Milan, is one of the programme’s Members of the Northern Ireland able to set up their own local youth ambassadors: “I gave many courses in international women’s squad will also be training programmes. A WorldCoach is a lot of countries last year. It was great in attendance at the FIFA-backed events more than a football coach. WorldCoaches to see how much fun children have to get involved with all the activities. are trained to be contact persons and role playing football and how positive the Sara added: “Female players around models for children as well. Children can development of coaches is for the local the world are role models of footballing play football in a fun and responsible way community. Working in countries where excellence and technique, perseverance, and learn about their social environment the conditions are a lot less favourable discipline, teamwork, respect and fair at the same time. Since the WorldCoaches than in the Netherlands or Europe left an play. We are hoping those attending programme began in October 2009, more impression. My favourite memory from the roadshows will be inspired to last year has to be the time I spent with participate in football and the events will Aron Winter in Ghana children in Ghana. Together with local demonstrate how they can achieve their heroes Matthew Amoah and Stephan goals through football.” Appiah, we ran a training session for 150 The first of the roadshows takes excited children.” place in Omagh on 12 April and the At the moment, WorldCoaches programme will conclude in Castlereagh programmes are being run in Surinam, on 20 May. Over the past two years the Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Egypt, Kenya, Irish FA has provided football for 2,700 Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Ghana, girls through Live Your Goals activities,

KNVB South Africa, India and Indonesia. including roadshows.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

PORTUGAL www.fpf.pt MAJOR SPONSORSHIP DEAL FOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

BY MATILDE DIAS

The Portuguese Football Federation football activities promoted by the FPF. The (FPF) announced in January a new sponsorship also includes an agreement three-year sponsorship deal with to televise women’s national team and one of the world’s largest insurance women’s national championship matches. companies, Allianz, for its women’s It represents a landmark moment in the national teams, women’s football history of women’s football in Portugal, championships and also the women’s as it is the first ever major sponsorship of FA cup and super cup. This deal includes the women’s competitions. It signals the naming rights for all women’s national growth and stature of the women’s game competitions and a commitment to invest in recent years, since the FPF implemented in the women’s game and support the its strategic development programme for countrywide programmes of girls-only women’s football. FPF

ROMANIA www.frf.ro PRAISE FOR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION WORK

BY PAUL ZAHARIA

On 15 January the Romanian rights. It is also Romania’s number one but also enable hundreds of youngsters Football Federation (FRF) was press monitoring agency and a member to understand and learn values that they recognised for its comprehensive of IFEX (the global network defending should put into practice both on and off and constant efforts against and promoting free expression). Romani the pitch. discrimination, especially its initiative to CRISS (the Roma Centre for Social Three days after receiving the award, elaborate a concrete and feasible anti- Intervention and Studies) defends the the FRF hosted a meeting of the task discrimination through football strategy. rights of the Romanian Roma community force set up to fight discrimination The Penalty Against Discrimination and works to prevent discrimination through football as part of the wider award was presented to the FRF general against the Roma minority in all areas of initiative to put in place a global anti- secretary, Radu Visan, by the organisers, public life. discrimination strategy in Romanian ActiveWatch and Romani CRISS. FRF anti-discrimination activities such society. The other members of the task ActiveWatch is one of the most as its Fair Play Days, Diversity Cup and force come from the Policy Center for important organisations in Romania in the Football for All competition not only Roma and Minorities, the Bucharest field of promoting and defending human promote football and non-discrimination, gendarmerie, the department for inter- ethnic relations, the Social-Democrat Institute, Romani CRISS and the Romanian professional football league. The executive director of FARE (the Football Against Racism in Europe network), Piara Powar, also attended this latest task force meeting. He congratulated the FRF on its anti- discrimination work and strategy, which could be considered as a model for all other Romanian sports federations as well as for many European federations, and announced that the FARE network would continue its close cooperation with the FRF. The task force aims to have a working strategy finished and adopted by The anti-discrimination task force meeting

FRF 31 March this year.

48 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTLAND www.scottishfa.co.uk AN EXCITING YEAR FOR SCOTTISH REFEREES

BY DAVID CHILDS

Scotland’s representatives on the in Glasgow. At UEFA level, meanwhile, UEFA elite referees are qualified to FIFA international referees list referees John Beatton and Lorraine Clark officiate high-level matches in Europe, for 2016 were celebrated at an have been promoted from the second most notably in the Champions League, awards dinner in January. to the first category and Andrew Dallas while category 1 referees can be Twenty-one officials have made moves up from category 3 to category 2. appointed for the latter stages of the the list for this year, consisting of nine Craig Thomson, William Collum and Europa League and the earlier rounds of referees and 12 assistant referees, who Morag Pirie all retain their UEFA elite the Champions League. Second and third received their FIFA badges at a ceremony referees statuses. category referees are appointed for youth tournaments, and first, second and third category referees can be appointed as additional assistant referees. 2016 promises to be an exciting year for Scottish refereeing, with William Collum – who refereed the 2015 UEFA Super Cup between FC Barcelona and Sevilla – one of 18 referees appointed for EURO 2016. The Scottish FA’s head of referee operations, John Fleming, said: “It is very satisfying, as head of referee operations, to see so many Scottish referees awarded FIFA international badges for the year. It is recognition of the hard work, dedication and sacrifices that they have made over many years to Scottish FA reach the highest level.”

SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk NEW MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION WITH THE UAE

BY PETER ŠURIN

The Slovak Football Association UAE FA,” Jozef Kliment said afterwards. has signed a memorandum of The areas discussed at the meeting cooperation with the United Arab were wide and varied, ranging from coach Emirates Football Association. and referee education, development The memorandum was signed in programmes for youth and women's December following a meeting in the football and the possibility of arranging UAE between the two football more mutual matches and training camps associations to discuss where and how for teams of various ages, to knowledge- they could cooperate. The Slovak FA was sharing on developing and managing UAE FA represented by its president, Ján Kováčik, sports facilities, and the realms of sports Ján Kováčik and Yousouf Yaqoob Al Serkal and general secretary, Jozef Kliment. “We science, sports medicine, business and are already cooperating closely with many media expert knowledge, and exchange to develop and move with the times. European associations and are an active programmes for technical, administrative The signing of the agreement by member of UEFA. Naturally, we are also and management staff. Ján Kováčik and Yousouf Yaqoob Al very interested in cooperation outside The resulting memorandum of Serkal, president of the UAE FA, was the Europe and are therefore honoured cooperation is built on shared opinions highlight of the Slovak representatives’ to have been approached by the and a mutual interest in helping football short trip to the United Arab Emirates.

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 49 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SWITZERLAND www.football.ch TURKEY www.tff.org MEDIA AND TURKEY LIFT AEGEAN CUP REFEREEING BY AYDIN GÜVENIR

BY PIERRE BENOIT The 17th edition of the 2016 2002 before becoming an Under-16 Aegean Cup was held from 18 to competition in 2004. Every football fan knows the 23 January in Izmir, Kusadasi and This year Turkey, Ukraine, Norway and scene, sat in their armchair Manisa. Eight Under-16 national teams Czech Republic formed Group A, while watching the umpteenth replay of a took part, from the USA, Czech Republic, the USA, Greece, Romania and Belgium controversial goal, trying to decide for Belgium, Ukraine, Greece, Norway, made up Group B. Turkey won Group A themselves whether it should have been Romania and the hosts themselves. with nine points and went through to given. Yet even in super-slow motion it The Aegean Cup is one of the most the final against the USA, who finished is often impossible to say with absolute prestigious international tournaments Group B in first place with six points. certainty whether the goalscorer was in this age category. Since it began in In the final, the hosts came out on top, offside or not. 1999, when it was called the Bora Öztürk beating the USA 3-1 and winning the About two minutes have passed since tournament, teams from 20 different competition for the second year in a row the referee decided that the player was countries have taken part. It has been the and the eighth time in all. not offside and awarded the goal. He had Aegean Cup since 2002 and has been Third place in the tournament went to just a split second to take a decision with played every year except 2005. Originally Greece, runners-up in Group B, who beat his assistants, with no video footage and played as an Under-15 competition, the Group A runners-up Ukraine 1-0 with a no slow motion. age level was increased to Under-17 in last-minute goal in the play-off. SFV TFF What’s more, the referee knows that after the match he will have to put up with www.ffu.org.ua the disputed goal and his split-second UKRAINE decision being discussed on TV, online and all over the next day’s papers, with the UKRAINE WIN DEVELOPMENT manager of the defeated club describing it as scandalous and declaring that with CUP IN BELARUS refereeing like that his club stands no chance of winning the league. BY YURI MAZNYCHENKO With the aim of helping radio and TV presenters and journalists to make Ukraine’s Under-17 team have won ‘blue-yellows’ sealed their victory by more professional, better informed this year’s prestigious Development converting a counterattack to take the comments, the Swiss FA’s Bruno Grossen, Cup tournament, which takes final score to 3-1. It was Ukraine’s third who is responsible for the training of place every January in Minsk, Belarus, on victory in the tournament and their first Switzerland’s top referees, invited media artificial turf. since 2012, when they beat Georgia 2-0. representatives to a workshop at which On the road to the final, where they controversial situations were shown, met the host nation, Oleksandr Petrakov’s analysed and discussed. “The presenters team enjoyed a winning streak of three and journalists have to respond almost as matches, beating Moldova 5-1, Georgia quickly as the referee takes his decision, so 3-1 and Israel 3-1 after a goalless opening it’s important that they know the rules and match against Finland. why the referee took the decision he did,” In the final itself, Ukraine took Belarus Grossen says. “The participants enjoyed by surprise, scoring twice in the first it and it’s definitely an exercise that we’ll ten minutes, both goals coming from be repeating.” The feedback from media Kulakov. Belarus had pulled back a goal representatives was equally positive. by half-time, but after the break the ABFF

50 – UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 BIRTHDAYS, COMMUNICATIONS, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS Jim Boyce (Northern Ireland, 21 March) Alan Snoddy (Northern Ireland, 29 March) Kai-Erik Arstad (Norway, 21 March) Bernadette Constantin (France, 29 March) Denis Bastari (Albania, 21 March) Bernadino González Vázquez (Spain, Benny Jacobsen (Denmark, 1 March) Ginés Meléndez (Spain, 22 March) 29 March) 50th Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain, 1 March) Chris Georghiades (Cyprus, 22 March) Sanna Pirhonen (Finland, 29 March) Damir Vrbanović (Croatia, 2 March) Michail Kassabov (Bulgaria, 22 March) William Hugh Wilson (Scotland, 30 March) Jenni Kennedy (England, 2 March) Pascal Fritz (France, 25 January) Richard Havrilla (Slovakia, 31 March) 50th Hans Lorenz (Germany, 3 March) Luca Zorzi (Switzerland, 22 March) Marina Mamaeva (Russia, 31 March) Zbigniew Boniek (Poland, 3 March) 60th Hugo Quaderer (Liechtenstein, 22 March) Matteo Simone Trefoloni (Italy, 31 March) Alexandru Deaconu (Romania, 3 March) Pafsanias Papanikolaou (Greece, Carolin Greiner Mai (Germany, 3 March) 22 March) 40th François Vasseur (France, 3 March) Andrew Niven (Scotland, 22 March) COMMUNICATIONS Patrick McGrath (Republic of Ireland, Franz Krösslhuber (Austria, 23 March) 4 March) Andrea Lastrucci (Italy, 23 March) Kuddusi Müftüoglu (Turkey, 4 March) Mirosław Malinowski (Poland, 23 March) • The Lithuanian Football Federation Crawford Wilson (Northern Ireland, 5 March) Mahmut Özgener (Turkey, 23 March) has appointed Edvinas Eimontas as its Zoran Bahtijarević (Croatia, 5 March) Hilda McDermott (Republic of Ireland, president, replacing Julius Kvedaras, Ronen Hershco (Israel, 5 March) 23 March) and has appointed Nerijus Dunauskas Jim Shaw (Northern Ireland, 6 March) Outi Saarinen (Finland, 23 March) 50th as its general secretary, replacing Boris Durlen (Croatia, 6 March) Fernando Ruiz Hierro (Spain, 23 March) Edvinas Eimontas. Ichko Lozev (Bulgaria, 6 March) 60th Dejan Dimovski (FYR Macedonia, 23 March) Hervé Piccirillo (France, 6 March) Christoforos Zografos (Greece, 24 March) • The Gibraltar Football Association Dan Ashworth (England, 6 March) Michael Kirchner (Germany, 25 March) has a new postal address: Pedro Maria Aurteneche Viñegra Wilfried Straub (Germany, 26 March) 62/64 Irish Town, 2nd Floor (Spain, 7 March) Gitte Holm (Denmark, 26 March) PO Box 513 Dušan Maravić (Serbia, 7 March) Jelle Goes (Netherlands, 26 March) GX11 1AA Tomás Gea (Andorra, 7 March) 50th Steen Jørgensen (Denmark, 26 March) Gibraltar Josep Lluís Vilaseca Guasch (Spain, John Peacock (England, 27 March) 60th 8 March) José Antonio Casajus (Spain, 27 March) • The Football Federation of Kris Bellon (Belgium, 8 March) Armen Minasyan (Armenia, 27 March) Kazakhstan has a new postal address: Alexis Ponnet (Belgium, 9 March) Pavel Cebanu (Moldova, 28 March) 8 Saryarka Avenue, 4th Floor Henk Kesler (Netherlands, 9 March) Edgar Obertüfer (Switzerland, 29 March) Astana 010000 Herbert Fandel (Germany, 9 March) Ian Beasley (England, 29 March) Kazakhstan Otar Giorgadze (Georgia, 9 March) Stefan Ormandjiev (Bulgaria, 29 March) Mateo Beusan (Croatia, 10 March) Ilkka Koho (Finland, 10 March) FORTHCOMING EVENTS Jasmin Baković (Bosnia-Herzegovina, 10 March) Meetings Diana Andersen (Denmark, 10 March) 8 March, Nyon 18 March, Nyon 21 March, Nyon Lucien Kayser (Luxembourg, 11 March) HatTrick Committee UEFA Champions League Club Licensing Committee Olga Zhukovska (Ukraine, 11 March) and UEFA Europa League: Jean-François Crucke (Belgium, 12 March) quarter-final draws Miroslav Vitković (Croatia, 12 March) Thomas Partl (Austria, 13 March) Yngve Hallén (Norway, 14 March) Competitions Neil Jardine (Northern Ireland, 14 March) 8/9 March 22 March Nikola Prentic (Montenegro, 14 March) UEFA Youth League: Futsal World Cup European qualifying: Ivan Ćurković (Serbia, 15 March) quarter-finals play-offs (first legs) Götz Dimanski (Germany, 15 March) Michael Thomas Ross (Northern Ireland, 8/9 and 15/16 March 23/24 March 15 March) UEFA Champions League: UEFA Women’s Champions League: Cornelis Bakker (Netherlands, 17 March) round of 16 (return legs) quarter-finals (first legs) Simeon Tsolakidis (Greece, 17 March) 50th Christos Skapoullis (Cyprus, 18 March) 10 March 23–29 March www.uefafoundation.org Marcello Nicchi (Italy, 18 March) UEFA Europa League: European Under-21 Championship: Paul Elliott (England, 18 March) round of 16 (first legs) qualifiers Marina Tashchyan (Armenia, 18 March) Ronald Zimmermann (Germany, 19 March) 17 March 30/31 March Sándor Csányi (Hungary, 20 March) UEFA Europa League: UEFA Women’s Champions League: Edward Foley (Republic of Ireland, 20 March) round of 16 (return legs) quarter-finals (return legs)

UEFA DIRECT • March 2016 – 51

No. 155

MARCH 2016 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNION OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS A BREATH OF NONO TOTO RACISMRACISM FRESH AIR How Iceland, one of Europe’s smallest nations, made the big time No.155 • March 2016 FUTSAL THE FOR THE EURO TECHNICIAN RECORD A record-breaking A hat-trick for 10 years of tournament Del Bosque? club licensing