No. 180

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNION OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS

FRANCE SHINE BRIGHT

EDITORIAL

DELIVERING THE WORLD’S BEST FOOTBALL

ootball never stops. Matches might end The first week features France v Germany, with the referee’s whistle, but the game England v Spain and Spain v Croatia. The Fdoes not stop. On 26 June, while most of four group winners in League A will compete the football world was enjoying the 2018 in next summer’s UEFA Nations League finals. World Cup group stage, the 2018/19 UEFA In every even year there are World Cup or Champions League was already kicking off. EURO champions; now in every odd year there The World Cup in Russia again highlighted will be a UEFA Nations League champion. two things. First, the strength and depth of Football is about competition and now, just like European football. France’s fully deserved in club football, there will be a national team success means that European teams have now champion at the close of every season. won the last four World Cups. Croatia’s For middle-ranking and smaller nations, the wonderful achievement in reaching the final UEFA Nations League offers an extra way to means that three of the last four finals have qualify for EURO final tournaments, and teams been all-European affairs. Europe has now who have struggled against sides ranked provided 13 of the 16 semi-finalists at the last considerably higher than them will now get the four World Cups. Eight European teams have chance to take part in balanced matches. been World Cup semi-finalists this century, The UEFA Nations League will help UEFA to 13 have been quarter-finalists. We are not just continue to deliver for its member associations producing successful clubs in Europe, but a rich meaningful matches, intense competition, seam of talented players, visionary coaches and balance, opportunity for improvement, and competitive national teams. the world’s best football. The World Cup also showed that there is a huge appetite for national team football. UEFA has always been aware of this, and of the fact that national team football needs more than biennial summer showcases. Supporters realise that most friendlies fail to deliver competitive and meaningful football. The relationship between club and national team football needed rebalancing. That was the thinking behind the UEFA Nations Aleksander Čeferin League, which kicks off on 6 September. UEFA President

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 03 CONTENTS

NOTICE

From now on UEFA Direct will be published every two months. The next issue will be out at the end of October.

Official publication of the Union of European Football Associations

Chief editor: Emmanuel Deconche

Deputy chief editor: Dominique Maurer

Chief writer: Mark Chaplin

External contributors: Julien Hernandez (pages 6-10 + sidebar page 11) Ekaterina Grishenkova, RFU (page 11) Gareth Mayer, FAI (pages 12-15) 12

Graham Turner (pages 18-19 + 38) FAI Ben Gladwell (pages 20-21) Simon Hart (pages 26-31) Philippe Vonnard (page 36) Paul Saffer (page 37) IN THIS ISSUE Paul Zaharia, FRF (page 39) Translations: 6 WORLD CUP 18 UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIPS UEFA Language Services Europe tops the charts at the 2018 Portugal and Spain take the honours in Production: World Cup. the European Under-19 and Women’s Touchline Under-19 championships.

Printing: 12 SPECIAL REPORT Artgraphic Cavin, The Football Association of Ireland is 22 TOGETHER #WEPLAYSTRONG CH-1422 Grandson spearheading the efforts to promote The campaign to attract more girls into grassroots football. football is gathering pace. Editorial deadline: 9 August 2018 16 #EQUALGAME 26 THE TECHNICIAN Cover photo: In a deprived neighbourhood of Lisbon, Stanislav Cherchesov looks back at Getty Images Puma Emerson is changing lives Russia’s best World Cup ever. through football.

04 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 Getty Images UEFA 39 34 32

PROGRAMME RESEARCH GRANT UEFA GROW ASSOCIATIONS FROM NEWS MEMBER association. national of every growth the to crucial is communication Strategic

26 22

FIFA via Getty Images UEFA • DIRECT September/October CONTENTS 2018 2018

– AFP 05 6

FIFA via Getty Images WORLD CUP

FRANCE AND EUROPE ON TOP OF TH E WO R LD

France won the 2018 World Cup at the climax of a tournament in which the European teams excelled once again.

fter Italy in 2006, Spain in 2010 their EURO 2016 final defeat at the hands and Germany in 2014, France of Portugal, Hugo Lloris and his team-mates continued a record-breaking arrived in Russia as outsiders, with their run of success for European inexperience viewed as a particular weakness. teams, who have now lifted the Although question marks still hung over AWorld Cup trophy four times in a row. While them during a tricky group stage, they EURO 2016 demonstrated the consistently clicked into gear in a memorable 4-3 round high standards that have been reached at of 16 win over Argentina and never looked the top level of European football, the 2018 back. Epitomising the vibrancy of French World Cup proved that Europe boasts many youth, 19-year old Kylian Mbappé starred of the world’s elite football nations. Despite against Argentina, scored four goals in the the poor performances of the previous three tournament, and was named best young champions – Italy failed to qualify, Germany player. With outstanding performers such as suffered a shock first-round elimination and Raphaël Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Paul Pogba Spain went out in the round of 16 – the and N’Golo Kanté in their ranks, France saw European teams virtually achieved a clean off Uruguay (2-0) in the quarter-finals and sweep in Russia. Of the continent’s 14 Belgium (1-0) in the last four. Many even group-stage representatives, ten reached dared to label their style too defensive! the round of 16, six were quarter-finalists However, they proved the critics wrong in and four contested the semi-finals, the fifth an exhilarating 4-2 victory against Croatia in time this feat has been achieved after 1934, the final, with Antoine Griezmann producing 1966, 1982 and 2006. Overall, a remarkable another match-winning display, and became performance, despite a few hiccups along the first team to net four times in a World the way. Cup final since Brazil in 1970. France trailed their opponents for only nine minutes in the France crowned again, 20 years on whole tournament (against Argentina) and Since winning the world title on home soil were never even taken to extra time – proof in 1998, followed by victory at EURO 2000, of the dominance of the team coached by another major title for the French national Didier Deschamps, a member of the 1998 team was long overdue. Still smarting from World Cup-winning side.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 WORLD CUP

Croatia had to come from behind in all their defeat. The talented Belgian side lit up knockout matches and became the first team the rest of the tournament thanks to to play extra time in three consecutive final a multifaceted strike force that scored tournament matches. more goals than any other country, goals that were shared among a record ten different players. Led by an unstoppable Eden Hazard, Roberto Martínez’s men saw off Panama (3-0), Tunisia (6-1) and England (1-0) before Croatia make history Modrić, who was named player of the beating Japan in the round of 16 (3-2). While the French team matched the tournament, stood out in particular and The golden generation then produced success of their 1998 predecessors, attracted most of the plaudits. the performance that the world had the Croatians outdid the Davor Šuker However, he was aided and abetted been waiting for, a 2-1 quarter-final generation, losing semi-finalists in 1998. by the likes of Danijel Subašic, who victory over Brazil in which Thibaut Once again, it was the French who played a crucial role in penalty shoot- Courtois, later named the tournament’s shattered the dreams of World Cup out victories over Denmark in the round best goalkeeper, was exceptional. With glory for Luka Modrić and his team- of 16 and Russia in the quarter-finals, several other outstanding players in mates in a final that Croatia dominated Mario Mandžukić, scorer of three their line-up (Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu for long periods before succumbing to vital goals in the knockout stage, and Lukaku, Dries Mertens, etc.), Belgium the powerful French counter-attack. Ivan Perišić, who netted in both the will be a force to be reckoned with in The outcome was hardly surprising, semi-final and the final, not to mention forthcoming major tournaments. The given the Croatians’ energy-sapping midfield lynchpins Ivan Rakitić and same can be said of England, who run to the final. Following a flawless Marcelo Brozović. emerged from the shadows by drawing first round (three wins, including a line under a number of unwanted a magnificent 3-0 victory against Belgium and England put records. Having never previously won Argentina), Croatia had to come down a marker a World Cup penalty shoot-out, from behind in all their knockout Just like Croatia, Belgium achieved their Jordan Pickford and his team-mates matches and became the first team best ever World Cup finish, bettering defeated Colombia on spot kicks in a to play extra time in three consecutive their 1986 result by beating England thrilling round of 16 encounter. And final tournament matches. On each 2-0 to secure third place. Also like having failed to reach the semi-finals occasion, they turned things around Croatia, the Belgians were eliminated since 1990, they secured a last-four thanks to an assured style of play by France after failing to break down berth with a comfortable 2-0 win over and top performances by key players. the French defence in a 1-0 semi-final Sweden in the quarter-finals.

After winning the UEFA Champions League and being awarded the Golden Ball as best player of the tournament at the World Cup, Croatia’s Luka Modrić is a likely contender for the Ballon d’Or. Getty Images

08 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 WORLD CUP

Kevin de Bruyne and Thiago Silva in the quarter-finals, where Belgium caused a sensation by eliminating Brazil. Meanwhile England (below) reached the semi-finals for the first FIFA via Getty Images

The host nation enjoyed a hugely successful World Cup, which would have been even more incredible had they managed to get over the line in another shoot-out

against Croatia in the quarter-finals. Getty Images

The English were especially effective Although Uruguay (0-3) brought them the last eight, Sweden missed out from set pieces throughout the back down to earth, Denis Cheryshev on what would have been the fourth tournament, scoring nine goals from (four goals) and his team-mates semi-final in their history. dead-ball situations, thanks in particular overcame all the odds by snatching a to the prolific Harry Kane, whose six quarter-final place with a win against Disappointment abounds goals made him the top scorer of this a Spanish team unable to break down in the round of 16 World Cup. Gareth Southgate and his their airtight defence (1-1, 4-3 on On the back of their EURO 2016 success players even seemed to have put one penalties). The host nation enjoyed a and an almost perfect qualification foot in the final when they took the hugely successful World Cup, which campaign, Portugal arrived in Russia lead against Croatia in the semi-finals, would have been even more incredible with confidence high. But despite a but Mandžukić crushed their dreams had they managed to get over the line Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick in a 3-3 in extra time. The Three Lions’ run to in another shoot-out against Croatia draw against Spain, the limitations of the last four triggered a huge wave of in the quarter-finals (2-2, 3-4 on Fernando Santos’s team soon became excitement back home, raising hopes penalties). Like Russia, Sweden were apparent as they struggled against that they could once again win a trophy eliminated at the quarter-final stage Morocco (1-0) and Iran (0-0). The that has eluded them since 1966. with their heads held high, having Portuguese defence, so solid at EURO successfully negotiated the group stage 2016, appeared close to breaking Russia and Sweden for the first time since 2006. A heroic point and could not cope with a classy surprise everyone win over Mexico saw them finish above Edinson Cavani, who scored twice Who would have imagined, before the South Korea and Germany. In their for Uruguay in the round of 16 (1-2). start of the tournament, that Russia first major competition since Zlatan Drawn in the same group, Spain also would knock out Spain in the round Ibrahimović’s international retirement, made heavy weather of qualifying for of 16? Before 2018, the Russians had the Scandinavians were as solid as ever, the last 16, beating only Iran (1-0). After failed to progress beyond the first only conceding to Germany (1-2) and losing their coach, Julen Lopetegui, two round in any of their three World then England in the quarter-finals (0-2). days before the start of the tournament, Cup appearances in 1994, 2002 and South Korea (1-0), Mexico (3-0) and the newly retired Andrés Iniesta and his 2014. However, with many fearing Switzerland (1-0) could not find team-mates never seemed to find their humiliation, Russia hit the ground a way past Robin Olsen and his defence. feet in Russia. Although the Spaniards running with convincing wins against However, with a lack of firepower always dominated possession, their Saudi Arabia (5-0) and Egypt (3-1). letting them down against England in shortcomings in attack were clear for

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 09 Fedor Smolov up against Sergio Ramos. By knocking out Spain in the round of 16, Russia were already assured of FIFA via Getty Images all to see as they failed to trouble a Lionel Messi’s Argentina (1-1) and were below expectations, their blushes hardly defensive Russian side (1-1, 3-4 on far from outplayed in defeats against spared by a 1-0 win over Japan. Poland penalties). Like Spain, Denmark suffered Nigeria (0-2) and Croatia (1-2). Serbia, might have been Europe’s biggest flops penalty heartbreak in the round of for their part, glimpsed a place in the at this World Cup if Germany, making 16 against Croatia, despite a brilliant last 16 after following up an opening their 18th finals appearance, had not performance from Kasper Schmeichel win against Costa Rica (1-0) by taking suffered a historic failure that saw them in goal (1-1, 2-3 on penalties). It was the lead against Switzerland. The Serbs eliminated before the round of 16 for a cruel end for a Danish team that looked set for a memorable campaign the first time ever. Joachim Löw’s men had produced its most impressive before a sudden collapse that saw got off to a terrible start in Russia, performance of the competition against Aleksandar Mitrović and his team-mates where they fell into the Mexican trap the Croatians. Until that point, despite concede twice in a narrow 2-1 defeat in their opening match (1-0). After a long periods without the ball, they to the Swiss before the qualification reprieve miraculously earned by Toni had been effective against Peru (1-0), door slammed shut in a disappointing Kroos against Sweden (2-1), the world solid against Australia (1-1) and robust 2-0 defeat against Brazil. For Poland, champions relinquished their title with a against France (0-0). Overall, they failed progress from the group stage quickly shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of South to show their true colours, rather like became an impossible dream as they Korea. They therefore became the third Switzerland, who also went out in the suffered defeats against Senegal consecutive World Cup winners to be round of 16. After a highly encouraging (1-2) and Colombia (0-3). Drawn in eliminated in the first round of the 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening a relatively easy group, a surprisingly subsequent tournament, following in match, the Swiss notched up an quiet Robert Lewandowski (no goals) the footsteps of Italy in 2010 and Spain important win against Serbia thanks and his team-mates performed well in 2014. France be warned … to a last-gasp strike from star man Xherdan Shaqiri (2-1), before a solid draw against Costa Rica (2-2). However, their campaign was brought to an abrupt end thanks to an insipid round of 16 display against Sweden (0-1) in which they let slip a golden opportunity to finally win a World Cup knockout match, having previously lost at the same stage in 1994, 2006 and 2014.

Germany suffer the biggest shock of all Only four European nations failed to qualify from their group in Russia. Europe’s only World Cup debutants, Iceland were unable to repeat their EURO 2016 giant-killing success, although they held their own against

Iceland notched up their first point in a World Cup against FIFA via Getty Images

10 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 Russia’s head coach, National team Stanislav Cherchesov, receives the prestigious honoured Order of Alexander

at Kremlin M. Shapaev-RFU

he World Cup is over. From mid-June Croatia. And once again the outcome Stanislav Cherchesov received the Tto mid-July, 11 Russian Federation was decided on penalties, though this Order of Alexander Nevsky. Goalkeeper cities played host to 32 national teams in time fate favoured Russia’s rivals with Igor Akinfeev and defender Sergei a tournament that was widely acclaimed a final score of 4-3. Ignashevich were awarded the Order as one of the most successful in the The country’s leaders and the of Honour. Other players and coaches history of football. And the host’s national Russian Football Union recognised that were presented with Russian Federation team also performed well on their home the host team had done their nation Presidential Certificates of Honour. territory. For the first time since 1986, proud. They had showed character, On the same day, the team also Russia reached the knockout stage. And purposefulness, and resilience, and visited the Russian ministry of sport, for the first time since 1970, they made played with their souls for their where players received Honoured it through to the quarter-finals. country. Such a worthy performance Masters of Sports of Russia badges, Getting off to a good start, Russia was highly appreciated by Russian while the coaching staff were awarded prevailed big time over Saudi Arabia (5-0) fans. When the team visited a crowded the title of Honoured Coaches of Russia. at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. In the FIFA Fan Fest near Moscow State Stanislav Cherchesov was the subject of group stage, they also conquered Egypt University on 8 July, 25,000 grateful many flattering reviews. It is no surprise, 3-1 in St Petersburg before losing 3-0 fans were there to cheer them. The therefore, that he is on the shortlist to Uruguay in Samara. So, having taken players and coaching staff unfurled for the Best FIFA Men’s Coach award, second place in Group A, they then faced a big banner in the colours of the whose winner is to be announced in Spain, the Group B winners, for the round Russian flag with the inscription WE London on 24 September. of 16 back in Moscow. The tough match PLAY FOR YOU! At the end of July, Cherchesov ended in a 1–1 draw after extra time, Then, on 28 July, the team were signed a new 2+2-year contract with leading to a penalty shoot-out that gave received by President Vladimir Putin the Russian Football Union. He and his Russia the opportunity for one more goal in the Kremlin’s Ekaterininsky Hall, staff are now set to prepare the team and a final score of 4-3. On to the quarter- where they were presented with for the UEFA Nations League and EURO finals. The Russians struggled against prestigious awards. Head coach 2020 qualifiers.

Time for the Nations League!

With Russia still fresh in their minds, Europe’s national teams will make a quick return to competitive football when a brand-new competition, the UEFA Nations League, kicks off on 6 September. There will certainly be no time for reflection, with the last two World Cup winners, France and Germany, meeting on matchday 1. The importance of this clash should not be underestimated, since the teams in League A, which comprises Europe’s best 12 nations, will only play four matches each, two against each of their group rivals. The winners of Group A1, in which France and Germany are joined by the Netherlands, will secure one of the four places in the Nations League finals that will be contested from 5 to 9 June 2019 by the four League A group winners following a simple format: semi-finals, third-place match and final. In Group A2, Belgium will start as favourites against Switzerland and Iceland. Group A3 contains three teams desperate to make up for recent disappointments, with Italy, a major World Cup absentee, drawn with Portugal and Poland, who both flattered to deceive in Russia. Group A4 could well be termed the ‘group of death’, since it includes Spain as well as two of this year’s World Cup semi- finalists, Croatia and England. The standard of teams in League A is incredibly high since, apart from Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain, they were all at least quarter-finalists at either EURO 2016 or the 2018 World Cup. Bringing such talented teams together, League A will provide spectators and television viewers with a plentiful supply of high-quality matches and will clearly attract most of the attention. However, it is certainly not the only meaningful section of the Nations League, which was designed to give all 55 European teams something to play for. There are 12 teams each in Leagues A and B (four groups of three teams), 15 in League C (one group of three and three groups of four) and 16 in League D (four groups of four). So what exactly is at stake? In a nutshell: the winners of the 12 groups in Leagues B, C and D will be promoted to the league above, while those finishing bottom in each League A, B and C group will be relegated. For example, two World Cup quarter-finalists, Russia and Sweden, will join Turkey in Group 2 of League B, where they will fight it out for a place in League A. The Nations League also has four places at EURO 2020 at stake. While 20 teams will qualify for the tournament through the usual channel, the remaining four slots will go to the winners of play-offs to be held in March 2020, the participants of which will be determined according to their results in the Nations League – a tantalising prospect for the teams in Leagues C and D, for whom qualifying for a major competition is often virtually impossible. BUILDING FROM THE GRASS ROOTS UP

Every summer a bus is loaded up with footballs, gear, equipment and personalities ranging from the chief executive and UEFA Executive Committee member to former internationals who played in European Championships and heads off to a new destination.

Galway players celebrate with the trophy after winning the U16 Gaynor Cup final, between Midlands League and Galway League. The tournament was held at the University of Limerick.

12 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 SPECIAL FEATURE – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

he aim is to travel to the heart of It has proved to be hugely popular, and it is communities where grassroots clubs fantastic to see the reaction of the volunteers T weave their magic by transforming and local communities when our bus pulls up lives for the better, and to appreciate and at their club. encourage the work being done by volunteers. “A big part of the festival is that the The fact that the visiting delegation is led by FAI gives something back to these clubs. the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) makes We deliver gear, equipment, match tickets it all the more special. for Republic of Ireland games in the Aviva It is all part of the Festival of Football. Now in Stadium, and grants to help them with facility its 12th year, the festival stopped off in County upgrades, repairs or club advancements. It is Cork in August to visit over 40 clubs, host a really important to the association that we women’s football convention, a supporters’ give something back because they are working convention, a schoolboys’ league awards hard every day to make a difference and we ceremony, a civic reception at Cork city hall, want to show our appreciation for that.” and a dinner where awards were presented The foundations of Irish football have never to recognise those making a real difference been stronger. There is now greater support in grassroots football. for grassroots clubs with the FAI introducing It may sound exhausting, with the festival the club of the year award and club mark spanning nine straight days, with hours ranging scheme – both of which are proving to be from 08.00 through to 23.00, and more highly coveted prizes that clubs all over kilometres covered than on the Tour de France, Ireland want to be associated with. but this is a huge part of how the FAI connects Running for over 12 years now, the club with the people who are helping the game to of the year award aims to recognise, celebrate grow at a local level. and promote the inspirational work being The festival is an initiative introduced by done by clubs. This is judged by how a the FAI’s chief executive, John Delaney, and club handles its club management, coaching, it is something he feels very strongly about. community, participation, and facilities – with “Traditionally, the FAI has always held its annual the winning club receiving €5,000 and the title general meeting in a hotel in Dublin. But I felt of the best club in the country (for one year we were not really taking the time to recognise at least). the brilliant work being done at grassroots level The club mark scheme is more about all around the country, so I came up with the encouraging continuous development in best idea of the Fstival of Football. practice concerning governance, management “We first piloted the festival, which is a and administration of a club. Clubs start their week-long experience that leads all the way journey at entry level and can progress to up to our AGM, in County Kerry, and we have become a one-star club – this will expand visited a different county every year since. as more clubs join the scheme. FAI

FAI Participation in the country‘s SportsDirect summer soccer camps has hit record numbers for three successive years.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 13 they represent the foundations of Irish football and everything else is built from there,” he says. “It is a pleasure to meet the people who truly change lives through the volunteer work that they do at their clubs. We are very proud of the association’s link with grassroots football and it is one we always look to strengthen even further.” The result of the FAI’s support for grassroots football is increased participation numbers, with more people playing the game in Ireland than ever before. There has been a significant increase in the number of girls getting involved in the sport, while the Football for All programme caters for anyone with a disability or impairment. At entry level, the SportsDirect summer

FAI soccer camps have hit record numbers for three successive years, and the Aviva Soccer The FAI interacts with clubs in a number of Rising grassroots participation Sisters camps are gaining in popularity. The FAI figures mean more people ways, such as the national draw, which raises than ever are playing football recently introduced an online registration system funds for clubs and leagues across the country. in Ireland, and there has been called FAInet, which already has over 160,000 But it is the personal contact that resonates a significant rise in the number players signed up. Alongside the increase in of girls getting involved. most. While the festival of football comes player numbers, rising numbers of people around but once a year, Delaney is out visiting are also getting involved in coach education. clubs every week in a similar capacity. There is a positive atmosphere around For someone who is chief executive of Irish football right now. Perhaps this is aided the association responsible for Ireland’s most by the excitement of hosting the 2019 European popular sport and, on top of that, is a member Under-17 Championship final tournament of the UEFA Executive Committee, chairman as well as four games in EURO 2020. But of its Youth and Amateur Football Committee there is no doubt that the work being done and deputy chairman of its Women’s Football at grassroots level is having a profound Committee, it is amazing that he finds the time 160,000 impact, with the FAI very much at the to visit hundreds of grassroots clubs every year. players have signed up to heart of that work. “Connecting with grassroots clubs is FAInet, the new online One thing is for certain: Irish football something I feel very strongly about. I believe registration system. has a bright future ahead.

Ireland international David Meyler training the Under-8s of St. Mochta’s FC at the FAI’s national training centre in Abbotstown. FAI SPECIAL FEATURE – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

New elite player pathway

he introduction of youth tiers has given the TSSE Airtricity League a huge boost as there is now a recognised elite player pathway from Under-13 through to senior level. In recent seasons, SSE Airtricity League teams have made massive strides on the pitch, with Dundalk leading the way as they reached the group stages of the UEFA Europa League in 2016/17, while Ireland’s overall UEFA coefficient placing has improved as a result of better performances. Off the pitch, facility development is now a primary focus, with new stadiums in the works to host Bohemians, Drogheda United,

Finn Harps, and Shelbourne. A new stand FAI is being constructed at Tallaght Stadium for Shamrock Rovers, who have also opened implement new measures to take it up to a The FAI chief executive, John an academy in Roadstone. higher standard, including looking at a possible Delaney, visits hundreds of local clubs in Ireland every year. This year, the FAI – which administers the tier between Under-19 and senior level. league – has dedicated €250,000 to youth All of the good work being done off the development to assist clubs in the running of pitch is reflected in increased attendances their youth teams. A special players’ fund worth and the fact that more players from the league up to €300,000 has also been created to pay are earning international recognition. One such any wages that might be outstanding should player is Shamrock Rovers’ forward Graham a club hit financial difficulties. Burke, who became the first home-based player While talks are ongoing with clubs about in 40 years to score for the Republic of Ireland creating a possible merger with the FAI to senior team when he netted in a friendly run the league, the association continues to against the USA in June.

Let the children play

To make football more enjoyable the game to flow, and every child gets to play some part with for children, the FAI undertook roll-on/roll-off substitutions. These have been necessary tweaks to a consultation process to keep children involved in the game.Ultimately, we want every child implement the necessary in the country to have the opportunity to play the game and to amendments, which resulted enjoy it. in the introduction of the player development plan. Isn’t part of the plan to educate and Overseen by the FAI’s high work with parents? performance director, Ruud Yes, it is very important to work with parents and coaches so Dokter (pictured), the plan that they are having a positive influence on the children. Their focuses on age-specific team behaviour sets the tone for how a training session or game will sizes, a uniform size of pitches go – if it is positive and encouraging, then the child will develop and goal posts, one size of ball, retreat lines, minimum playing quicker, learn more and enjoy playing. time, and roll-on/roll-off substitutions. We conduct a lot of parent/coach workshops around the Here is a detailed explanation from Ruud Dokter himself … country, where we also listen to their feedback. It is vital that we work together and that their views are taken on board too. What is the main aim of the player development plan? What has the reaction been to the plan? We have a simple motto: ‘Let the children play’. It carries a It has been extremely positive. We understood from the start of very straightforward but important message. It is not about who this process that it wasn’t going to be easy to change attitudes wins the most games or who scores the most goals. In fact, we and traditions, but we are finding that parents, coaches and have removed league tables from Under-12 down to Under-8 level, administrators all around the country are open to ways for their so that the emphasis can be on enjoying the game and not having children to get more enjoyment from football – and that is what the children feel the pressure of results. matters most. We are still working hard to maintain standards There are 4v4, 5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 formats, a football that and to reach every club in the country, but it has been very is weighted for the specific age group, a retreat line that allows encouraging so far.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 15 #EqualGame logo and Respect brand lockup. Photos: UEFA RESPECT

AURIO ‘PUMA’ EMERSON CASTRO – PORTUGAL

‘FOOTBALL CAN CHANGE LIVES’

Aurio ‘Puma’ Emerson Castro has mapped out his own way in life, with football serving as a crucial guide. The 28-year-old came to Portugal from Angola at the age of three and grew up in the rough and rugged neighbourhood of Jamaica on the south side of Lisbon. The neighbourhood is home to thousands of immigrants from former Portuguese colonies and is plagued by issues such as violence, drugs and extreme poverty.

uma’ has always acknowledged that he had a tough upbringing, but still sees the neighbourhood as “my home, my cot”. Football has played a central role in helping him improve his life, inside and outside Jamaica. From an early age, he was besotted by the game, and he and his neighbourhood friends would play at all hours of the ‘Pday and night. His love for football kept him out of trouble, something that could not be said of the majority of his friends, whose life choices took them to prison. “They chose that life – my choice was a different one,” he reflects. As a footballer, he had a trial with Benfica and played for a spell in the Portuguese third division. ‘Puma’ then went on to enrol in a street football programme with the CAIS social aid organisation, took part in regional and national tournaments, and earned the honour of captaining Portugal’s team in the 2011 Homeless World Cup. “An experience I will take with me for the rest of my life,” he says. Now, with the Criar-T social assistance and solidarity body, ‘Puma’ is giving back enthusiastically to the community, working successfully as a supervisor in its inclusion programme and coaching youngsters in a street football project. His eight-year-old son Leandro is already in love with the game and cherishing dreams for the future. “I’ve learned a lot from football,” Puma says emphatically. “Football can definitely change lives.” We could not agree more …

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“Football can be a force for good. When we play football, we forget about problems. We are focused on the game, and we want to score goals, be in a good mood and play with joy.”

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 17 Just before half-time, Portugal’s João ‘Jota’ Filipe opened the scoring in what would turn out to be a roller coaster of a final.

PORTUGAL AGAIN –

FOR THE FIRST TIME Sportsfile

Champions at EURO 2016. Champions of the indoor game at Futsal EURO 2018. And champions of Europe again after a roller-coaster final in the Finnish town of Seinäjoki. No surprise, maybe. But the eyebrow-raiser is that it was the first time that Portugal had ever posed under the winners’ archway at a European Under-19 Championship.

t could be argued that victory in Finland Great intensity and goals aplenty was not a tale of the totally unexpected. But it would be amiss to start at the end of IHélio Sousa travelled to the final a memorable tournament where attacking tournament with 11 of the squad he had led vocations produced a goal tally of 55 that to the European Under-17 title in Azerbaijan equalled the all-time record. The temptation in 2016, including six of the players named in to focus on the top teams would pass severe UEFA’s all-star squad. Victory in 2018 judgement on contenders who made enormous represented a consolation for losing the 2017 contributions to a tournament played with great final against England, and the two nations intensity and levels of equality that were often provided one of the stark contrasts that difficult to equate with scorelines. The hosts marked the final tournament in Finland. provided a prime example. Juha Malinen, taking Whereas Portugal were able to play the card the helm a few months before the ball started Players who have of continuity, England’s defence of the title rolling, implanted a courageous, effective won the U19 title was undermined by a list of over 30 players playing philosophy that systematically unstitched in the past include who might have been in Finland had they Italy’s defensive system in the opening Group A Andrés Iniesta, been released by their clubs. Paul Simpson’s fixture. A series of one-on-one situations failed Sergio Ramos, improvised team performed well enough to to produce a goal and the record books display Joshua Kimmich reach the play-off match to decree Europe’s a 1-0 win for Italy. Then, 2-1 ahead in the 90th and recent World remaining contender at the U-20 World Cup, minute against Norway, lapses allowed the but a 3-0 defeat by Norway meant that Nordic neighbours to score twice in added time. Cup winners England would not be in Poland in 2019 And a 3-0 defeat against Portugal rubbed salt Antoine Griezmann to defend their world title. into the wounds sustained by a team whose and Kylian Mbappé.

18 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 EUROPEAN UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIPWORLD CUP

Results performances exceeded expectations exerting relentless second-half pressure, hit the and whose results added up to a totally woodwork twice, had two goals disallowed for Group A (16, 19 and 22 July) false impression. offside and did everything but score. Italy were in the final. Norway 1-3 Portugal Hosts do themselves proud Whereas that game went to the wire, Finland 0-1 Italy Talking of the hosts, it has to be said that the other semi-final was over in half an hour. Finland 2-3 Norway their organisational performance produced Ukraine’s five-man back line and disciplined Portugal 2-3 Italy optimal results. The tournament in Finland collective defending, so impressive during the Portugal 3-0 Finland went down into the annals as the first to be group stage, was pierced within two minutes Italy 1-1 Norway played on artificial surfaces at just two venues and, when star striker Vladyslav Supriaha – the excellent stadiums in Vaasa and Seinäjoki. limped off nine minutes later, heads dropped The coaches, although initially expressing and legs started to flag. After 30 minutes, Group B (17, 20 and 23 July) preferences for natural grass and commenting the scoreboard in Vaasa displayed that the exceptionally hot weather hardly aided Ukraine 0 Portugal 5. Game over. Turkey 2-3 England the cause, acknowledged that the surface France 1-2 Ukraine was eminently playable. Indeed, Hélio Sousa, Emotional roller coaster of a final Ukraine 1-1 England long before his opinion could be coloured by The final in Seinäjoki, however, stubbornly Turkey 0-5 France Portugal’s victory, had expressed the view that refused to illuminate the ‘game over’ signal. Ukraine 1-0 Turkey the pitches were the best artificial surfaces he There was a moment when it flickered – in the England 0-5 France had ever encountered. 72nd minute, to be precise. That was when, The victory over Finland, by the way, earned after João Filipe, alias ‘Jota’, had given Portugal his team a place in the semi-final after a 3-2 the lead during added time before the break, Semi-finals (26 July) defeat by Italy had put this in jeopardy, though Francisco Trincão turned the ball into the Italian the result was coloured by a dismissal after net to double the advantage. It was at that Italy 2-0 France barely eight minutes, which left Sousa’s team in point that the footballing contest turned into an Ukraine 0-5 Portugal numerical inferiority for an eternity. Italy earned emotional roller coaster. While Portugal still had first place in the group with a 1-1 draw against the flickering ‘game over’ message before their Norway, who went on to clinch that World eyes, substitute striker Kean cut in from the U-20 World Cup play-off Cup place at the expense of England. right, took a cunning back-heeled pass in his (26 July) The other group opened with a major stride and beat João Virginia to make it 2-1. surprise. France, with a rich tapestry of Within seconds, the same player met a cross Norway 3-0 England individual talents, failed to cope with Ukraine’s from the left with an unstoppable side-footed excellent counter-attacking strategy and were finish and, suddenly, the psychological beaten 2-1. Olexandr Petrakov’s team (one of pendulum had swung in Italy’s favour – to the Final (29 July) five who operated with five at the back at extent that the Italian players greeted the end some stage of the tournament) then fought of the 90 minutes with high fives, confident Italy 3-4* Portugal back to draw with England before clinching that victory was theirs for the taking during *after extra time top spot by beating Turkey – losers in all three the half-hour of extra time. of their games. France bounced back But, no. Portugal, summoning up the mental spectacularly with 5-0 victories against lessons gained at the 2016 and 2017 finals, The goalkeepers had Turkey and England. began to counter-attack with purpose against their hands full newly exuberant Italians. And it was ‘Jota’, during the final. Two very different semi-finals once again, who found the Italian net as the This made Bernard Diomède’s team the firm first half of extra time was fading away along favourite in a semi-final against Italy. Supreme with the Finnish daylight. But, barely two individual technique, fluid movement with minutes after the restart, the crazy script and without the ball, impressive athletic produced another twist when striker Gianluca qualities, attacking panache … France had all Scamacca headed home from close range after the ingredients. But Paolo Nicolato’s side a cross by indefatigable right back Raoul countered this with traditional Italian qualities Bellanova. Substitutes invaded the pitch to add of tactical know-how and defensive acumen. numbers to scenes of mass jubilation while the An overload on the right flank allowed a staff hugged each other in the technical area. neat combination move to culminate in Straight from the kick-off, Portugal played a a cross that a great first touch and long ball into the box, where substitute striker

Sportsfile an outstanding finish by Christian Pedro Correia held off challenges and found Capone turned into 1-0 on the the net. Substitutes of a different colour scoreboard. A wayward pass by centre invaded the pitch. In a madly memorable grand back Malang Sarr then set up a classic finale to a memorable tournament, Portugal counter, with striker Moise Kean had won 4-3 to take the Under-19 title for the running clear to make it 2-0. France, first time.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 19 G defeatingfamiliar foes Germany 1-0 in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. nation to win both the women’s Under-17Spain and retainedthe Under-19 the European titles Women’s in the same Under-19 year after Championship title and became the first SPAIN WIN THE DOUBLE 20 20 on to Scotland in 2019 – by which time almost in its entirety when the event moves deserve this trophy." We've created a really amazing team; we I just felt a lot of emotion – I’m dreaming! we're really, really happy.To score thegoal, the finals. "We've achieved our goal and Llompart, the 26th different goalscorer in of my team," said match-winner María inSwitzerland. tournament international call-up for the final 17-year-old who only earned her first – triumphed thanks to a goal from a FA's technical director for women's football coach Jorge Vilda – who is also the Spanish staff – selections. Spain, led by senior team impact on their squad – and backroom also qualified and which had a notable Germany, Netherlands and France had World Cup in France, for which Spain, It isateam "It's a dream come true, I'm really proud – UEFA DIRECT the impending 2018 U-20 Women's formed of Under-18 players, given lory was built with a side effectively that will be eligible to return • September/ October

2018 en route to Switzerland – against Greece Norway side who had conceded only once conceding, but they lost that record to a Spain defence as many times and get their shots sufficed for them to breach the way to a semi-final appearance. Just two they raised many more eyebrows on the a compact and resolute defence, ensured effectiveness in front of goal, combined with that we're not conceding." Indeed, Norway's chances," he said. "However, it's important surprising, but we're still creating too few Nils Lexerød. "That's impressive and also had even raised the eyebrows of their coach, in theeliteround. Thiswasarecord Switzerland. sparked his team into action in sun-drenched to Norway.Thatresult, hefelt,wasone was unerring, even after an opening defeat whose confidence in his young side's ability their turn at the World Cup," said Vilda, 19s and hopefully the Under-20s – now it is "We wontheUnder-17s, nowtheUnder- Spain could have another title to their name. The Iberians arrived in the finals without that

that

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and running. 2-0 victory one of the goals of the tournament in a corner length of the field following a Switzerland Baena carried the ball almost the full the penalty spot before Rosa Marquez Fernández denied Swiss captain Gut from behind the hosts in Zug. María Echezarreta game as another passionate crowd got enthusiasm was again evident in the Swiss had grown from their opening fixture, but semi-finals with a game to spare. Spain they were the only nation to qualify for the them another three points and ensured one of their two shots on goal earned group game whose side learnt theirlesson. whose sidelearnt with our energy levels," conceded Vilda, opening game and it was not easy to deal campaign off to a winning start. "It was our snatch a point, Malin Gut providing one recovered from a two-goal deficit to their opening fixture with France. They home soil can prove advantageous in Switzerland showed how being on opening 3-1defeat. headed in as a consolation in that scored: just the one Arianna Caruso but with the lowest number of goals attempts on goal – behind Germany – stage with the second highest number of ultimately led to them ending the group opponents. Italy's attacking approach side who had set out to attack their later to shake the confidence of an Italian and then adding a penalty just five minutes opportunity with a header from Lynn Wilms fixture with Italy, taking their first Netherlands were ruthless in their opening a late flurry of Denmark chances. The Germany holding on to a 1-0 win despite left led to the only goal of a tight game, combination from a throw-in on the from thecrowd. they were carried by the positive energy of her tournament-high three assists as Elsewhere in the opening group fixtures, Over in Group B, an excellent Norway impressed again in their second , and teed up Olga Carmona to score that . A Sophie Haug strike from got Spain's challenge up

Germany’s Nicole Anyomi in action with Spain’s Anna Torroda in the final. Sportsfile

Results A well-organised Denmark triumphed the arrears for a Norway side featuring 1-0 over a profligate Italy thanks to a Sara eight changes from their previous fixture. Holmgaard goal, while the Netherlands Lehmann made it three in the last Group A (18, 21 and 24 July) established their place at the top of the minute, but it was not enough to take group heading into the decisive final round Switzerland through as Spain got the win Spain 0-2 Norway of matches by defeating Germany 1-0, they needed in the group's other final Switzerland 2-2 France Rebecca Doejaaren getting the goal. With fixture against France. six points from two games, they were not Norway 1-0 France Norway and Germany were first up on through, though, as a dramatic final day a scorching day for the semi-finals in Biel/ Switzerland 0-2 Spain of group stage action ensued. Bienne. The heat certainly took its toll and Norway 1-3 Switzerland The intrigue was high as Italy faced a Germany were forced into two changes France 1-2 Spain Germany side whose destiny was not in inside the opening 25 minutes due to their own hands. Indeed, had Denmark injury and illness. Maren Meinert's team beaten the Netherlands 2-1, it would have nevertheless kept their shape well and Group B (18, 21 and 24 July) taken them both through regardless – and did not let the setbacks shake their after that scoreline materialised after only confidence as they played the ball out Germany 1-0 Denmark 20 minutes, with two goals from Dajan well from the back, opening the scoring Netherlands 3-1 Italy Heshemi-Ghermezi and a Kayleigh Van on the stroke of half-time with Melissa Denmark 1-0 Italy Dooren free-kick, both the Danes and Kössler taking advantage of a hesitant Netherlands 1-0 Germany the Dutch appeared to be heading for Linn-Mari Nilsen in the Norway goal Denmark 3-1 Netherlands the semi-finals. to steer Krumbiegel's free-kick in. A Italy 0-2 Germany However, Denmark once again second from Anna-Lena Stolze early underlined their winning spirit with in the second half allowed the six-time hard-working left wing back Sofie Svava champions to reach their record-equalling Semi-finals (27 July) crossing for Janni Thomsen to head in ninth final. their third and take them through as group In the second semi-final, Denmark's winners. Paulina Krumbiegel's second goal high pressing succeeded better than Norway 0-2 Germany for Germany against Italy saw them Norway's had in the first and Spain were Denmark 0-1 Spain advance in second place. forced more onto the back foot than they In Group A, Switzerland only had one would have liked. They managed to find option: beat Norway and hope. Coach Nora more solutions to develop attacking Final (30 July) Häuptle deployed a back three with wing actions in the second half, though, and a backs providing support in an energetic fine 30-yard strike from Teresa Abelleira Germany 0-1 Spain attacking display, with fast transitions from Dueñas – who became the 25th different defence to attack and an exemplary team player to score in the finals – took them spirit. Géraldine Reuteler was at the heart to an unprecedented fifth straight final. of the action, and her excellent header There, they vanquished the same rivals from Gut's corner gave the Swiss a as their Under-17s in the final in Lithuania deserved lead. The same combination in May, earning them a third title and doubled the hosts' advantage early in the back-to-back wins after defeating France second half before Runa Lillegård reduced in Northern Ireland in 2017.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 21 TOGETHER #WEPLAYSTRONG – THE JOURNEY SO FAR

When it comes to the participation of girls and women in football, UEFA has identified a major challenge to the growth of the game: most girls who play football quit when they hit their teens. UEFA’s research shows that this comes about because suddenly other people’s judgements matter to them, and if their friends do not think football is cool, girls simply gravitate towards other activities that hold more social currency.

EFA is determined to change media and had over 25,000 mentions The campaign recently scooped a this, keep teenage girls in the on Twitter and Instagram alone. 73% of bronze Cannes Lions award at this Ugame, and get more to play. teenage girls who have seen the campaign year’s Festival of Creativity in the The Together #WePlayStrong campaign say they would like to play football, Multi-platform Social and Influencer launched in June 2017 is designed around and 17,000 have used the Find a Place to category, up against the likes of Nike, how girls use social media. Starring over Play Football tool on weplaystrong.org. Apple, Mars and EA Sports. 750 teen footballers from all over Europe, Many national associations and clubs the campaign highlights the skills, are also supporting the movement, Gathering pace confidence and friendships that come with sharing UEFA’s content on their channels, Former German international and playing the game, making football relevant contributing content of their own and FIFA World Player of the Year Nadine to teen girls wherever they may be, from using the Together #WePlayStrong toolkit Kessler, who now heads UEFA’s Instagram to YouTube, Giphy to Musical.ly, to localise the campaign. women’s football unit, said: “It’s really and in the worlds of fashion, music, exciting, and the continued growth of the arts, health and fitness. women’s football is a strategic priority for UEFA. This is a long-term project, Changing perceptions but it’s heartening to see our rate of The long-term aim of the campaign is growth is already going in the right to make football the number-one played direction and gathering pace, and all sport for girls and women in all 55 UEFA the while the game is becoming more member associations. professional throughout Europe. With “This whole campaign Year one of the campaign focused that comes increased opportunity, on driving awareness and changing was magical, it truly exposure and affinity.” perceptions. Even without traditional demonstrated the reach As part of the campaign, a hugely media spend, Together #WePlayStrong and power of football.” successful vlog called Press Play has had over 200 million campaign views, Liv Cooke launched on the YouTube channel, generated over 70,000 fans on social Football freestyler giving fans unique insight into the

22 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 A participation challenge was then thrown women’s game throughout Europe met the open to young people, which attracted football-loving singer throughout her recent thousands of entries from girls across European tour in a truly unique partnership Europe, inviting anyone with a football between music and women’s football. to post their own videos or photographs “The values of Together #WePlayStrong in an unusual or impressive location on centre not only on football but female Instagram, for a chance to win a summer empowerment and equality too, so I was trip for four to Disneyland Paris. 100% behind this campaign when I was “This whole campaign was magical – approached to partner with UEFA,” said from filming all over Europe with UEFA Rita Ora. to meeting the winner, who was inspired “It’s a privilege to be part of such by the film that we were all so proud to an inspiring initiative, driving home be involved in,” said Liv Cooke. “It truly messages of acceptance, individuality demonstrated the reach and power and finding a place to belong. My message of football.” to any young girl that’s thinking of picking Reach has been a primary focus for up a ball is to just go for it. Being part of a the campaign since its creation, with team inspires confidence, builds friendships Together #WePlayStrong frequently and can be liberating.” engaging with pan-European influencers, including social media celebrities Sophia ‘What is strong?’ Grace and Barbara Sofie. More recently, #WePlayStrong has been celebrating the physical, emotional Female empowerment and mental strength of women and girls And then, there was Rita Ora. The all over Europe. UEFA collaboration between the global pop The campaign’s newest initiative, ‘What superstar and #WePlayStrong, which is Strong?’, has been backed by Rita Ora, daily lives of four different professional launched in May this year, provided UEFA who voiced the first in a series of Instagram players around Europe each week. To with an additional platform to promote the GIFs that invite girls across Europe to date, the weekly vlog has amassed over campaign and attract more girls to play by answer the question: What does strong 5 million views on YouTube and has since raising the profile and image of the game, mean to you? been shortlisted for a Leaders Sports while increasing visibility and engagement. The campaign’s strategy is essentially Award in content creation. The artist announced UEFA as the official to break down all barriers between girls Press Play draws on the abundance sponsor of her headline tour and, in turn, and playing football, and this initiative of brilliant talent and personalities in the her support for the campaign. Stars of the reappraises what it means to be strong. women’s game and tells their stories as a It encourages girls to recognise the way to inspire more girls and women to individual strength in themselves and be play and keep playing football. confident in telling their story. The initiative can show that girls who play football are Reach and power of not only strong, but confident in their football strengths, and can help inspire more girls And that was just the beginning of a to play the sport. year that has been jam-packed with Rita Ora’s special relationship with engaging, original and progressive the target audience and strong personal Together #WePlayStrong initiatives. connection with the campaign’s message In April seven of Europe’s leading has brought tremendous results, with the women’s footballers took part in one of number of girls and parents using the the most spectacular kickabouts ever campaign to find a place to play football captured on camera in a promotional up 337% since the partnership began. activity called Play Anywhere. During its second year, the campaign The film showcased Liv Cooke, the will continue to seek to drive awareness world’s top female football freestyler, and change perceptions, and it will also playing football in some of Europe’s work towards encouraging girls who are most idyllic locations, from Scotland engaging with the game digitally to start and Norway, to Switzerland and Croatia, or carry on playing football. with over 100 grassroots players and 7 professionals, including Norwegian trio Ada and Andrine Hegerberg and To promote football among girls, the Maren Mjelde, and English quartet Together #WePlayStrong campaign has enlisted the help of celebrities such as Lauren James, Jordan Nobbs, Fran Kirby football freestyler Liv Cooke (above) and Alex Greenwood. UEFA and singer Rita Ora.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 23 NEW-LOOK UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BRAND IDENTITY

A vibrant new brand identity has been unveiled for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League – based on a concept called ‘Highlighting moments that make the ultimate stage’.

he centrepiece of the new brand The new identity – developed in A major step forward identity, revealed in early June, collaboration with UEFA’s marketing Compared with previous brand identity T are the connected stars from the partner TEAM Marketing and the London- updates, the new design is considered as a ‘starball’ in the UEFA Champions League based creative agency DesignStudio – major step forward. While the ‘starball’ visual logo. The concept captures the iconic visually articulates the UEFA Champions gains in importance in the new identity, the moments of extraordinary feats of skill League brand, and has been created to successful ‘ultimate stage’ area still features that make each match night in European support digital, mobile and social media in the branding package – providing an club football’s premium competition so platforms. It enhances and consolidates extended range of key visuals that can be captivating and memorable. the core brand values that the competition deployed for communications purposes, is renowned for, while highlighting the both internally and by UEFA’s partners. Reinforcing core brand values leading role that the UEFA Champions In addition, the new identity aims to Every three years, UEFA revisits its League plays in the football landscape. support a broad range of stakeholders – competition brand identity, in alignment The UEFA Champions League has sponsors, broadcasters, licensees and clubs. with the commercial cycle of broadcast and expanded to become part of the global A new, more flexible colour co-branding sponsorship rights. For the latest 2018–21 entertainment environment, rather than system has been introduced to give cycle, the branding has been designed to just merely existing as a sports event. commercial partners the chance to tailor be more flexible, while building on tried “The UEFA Champions League is a the brand identity to their own needs. and trusted elements such as the UEFA globally recognised brand in football, It all means that the UEFA Champions Champions League anthem, the stadium sports and entertainment,” says Guy- League continues to enjoy unique and the iconic trophy. The blue colour Laurent Epstein, UEFA Events SA marketing branding that will be applied across a wide palette deriving from UEFA Champions director. “This brand-refresh maximises range of promotional applications – with League match nights is now enriched with the opportunities to engage with fans the objective of further enhancing the new accent colours – magenta and cyan and stakeholders across new technologies prestige of one of the world’s biggest – to give support to this fresher look. and platforms.” sporting competitions. UEFA SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

eradicating discrimination. More than 100,000 people took part in 2,000 events in over 60 BE PART OF THE countries in 2017. The weeks are supported by UEFA, more than 400 professional clubs and more than #FOOTBALLPEOPLE 35 national associations, many professional ACTION WEEKS leagues and players’ unions. Join in the action Clubs and associations can join in the action The #FootballPeople action weeks return between and celebrate football as a game for all by 11 and 25 October this year and the Fare network, organising events and activities or associating existing events with the campaign. There which organises the annual event, is calling on Europe’s are so many ways to support and champion diversity in football. national associations and clubs to get involved and All matches in the UEFA Europa League, help drive social change. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women’s Champions League and UEFA Nations League played between 11 and 25 October will feature he #FootballPeople action weeks are some reference to the #FootballPeople action a wide-reaching campaign to tackle weeks, reaching fans directly in the stadiums T discrimination and celebrate diversity in and millions more on television and online. football. The weeks unite professional football Organising activities as part of the action clubs and associations, grassroots groups, The Fare network combats weeks is simple and the options are limitless: discrimination in football and supporters, NGOs and communities affected encourages inclusion, as enjoyed by holding workshops for fans, coaches and by exclusion across Europe with the goal of these Syrian refugees in Armenia. players; organising on-pitch activities at a match; inviting children from different backgrounds to be mascots; asking players to line up in campaign T-shirts; producing a video with a message promoting diversity; or holding coaching sessions in the community. The Fare network’s executive director, Piara Powar, says: “The Football People weeks are an important window for European football to come together to challenge exclusion and discrimination and support inclusion and diversity through sport. “Anybody who watches, plays or is leading the sport has the opportunity to support the movement by organising and taking part. Last year we reached over 100,000 active participants. Together we make it stronger again by showing a united message.” For more information about the #FootballPeople action weeks and to join in and celebrate a world of football where everybody is welcome everywhere, go to www.farenet.org or contact [email protected]. FARE

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 25 FIFA via Getty Images TECHNICIAN THE THE TECHNICIAN

STANISLAV CHERCHESOV ‘WE’RE THE CHAMPIONS OF PEOPLE’S HEARTS’

Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia team defied all expectations with their journey to the quarter-finals of this summer’s World Cup, winning the affections of an enthralled nation along the way. Here he offers a coach’s perspective on how they tore up the script – and reflects on his career in football.

he dust has yet to fully settle in the round of 16 – thus travelling further their coaches. We managed to create a on the 2018 World Cup, but in the competition than any group of competitive environment, whereby we for Stanislav Cherchesov there Russian footballers in the post-Soviet era. had a fair and equal attitude to each is no need to distance himself In the process they shredded a script player. There were no exceptions. “You further from this summer’s that foresaw an unhappy World Cup for always know your players; you trust Tgiddying swirl of drama and emotion a team that had struggled to win matches them,” he adds. “That’s why we just before making a judgement. The man in the year leading up to the tournament. focused on our job and staged the responsible for guiding Russia’s footballers In the previous summer’s Confederations training camp in Austria where nobody through their home tournament has a Cup, Russia were eliminated in the group could disturb us.” clear verdict in his mind. stage after losses to Portugal and Mexico. Cherchesov has much to reflect on. “There are always two sides to success Following a friendly defeat in Austria The route travelled between his – a sporting side and an emotional one,” in late May, Sport-Express, one of the appointment as Russia coach on he begins. “I believe that we’re clearly nation’s most popular sports newspapers, 11 August 2016 and 8 July 2018, the day world champions when it comes to the quoted the 19th-century Russian patriotic after their quarter-final elimination when emotional side. We provided some success, poet and statesman Fyodor Tyutchev by he and his players stood on a stage at we enjoyed the tournament and the nation declaring: “We can only trust in Russia.” Moscow’s fan zone and felt a wave of was proud of us. As for the sporting side, The implication was there was nothing appreciation wash over them, has been a we couldn’t pick up the trophy but I more substantial in which to place their long one. consider our team’s performance to hope. The 54-year-old starts his reflection at be a success.” Cherchesov, a former national-team the very beginning, with the early days It would be difficult to find a single goalkeeper with experience of World Cup in the job as he set about assembling a dissenter across the vast expanse of Russia and European Championship campaigns, strategy to make the World Cup hosts after a tournament in which the host saw it differently. “All teams get criticised competitive. Two months earlier Russia nation exceeded all expectations. On the and our national team is no exception. It had exited EURO 2016 with just a single road to a quarter-final defeat by Croatia, wasn’t an issue for us as we knew how to point from group matches against they defeated the 2010 champions Spain prepare ourselves, and the players trusted England, Slovakia and Wales. “We came to the national team with “We came to the national team with our own vision, our own vision, which we adjusted with which we adjusted with time. We studied all the materials time,” he observes. “We studied all the materials left by our predecessors – Fabio left by our predecessors – Fabio Capello, Guus Hiddink Capello, Guus Hiddink and Leonid and Leonid Slutsky. We took into account during the Slutsky. During the preparation period preparation period the things they hadn’t managed to we took into account the things they achieve and to implement.” hadn’t managed to achieve.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 27 THE TECHNICIAN

Cherchesov duing Russia‘s World Cup opening game against Saudi Arabia, which the tournament hosts went on to win 5-0.

“I took part in selecting the friendly matches from a sporting perspective. All other issues – TV, commercial, etc. – were left to the association. We worked closely as we each had our own job to do. I had good access to the players and all of them were happy to be part of the national team. Obviously, though, they’d come to me in different states from their clubs.” One notable question mark against Russia’s players in the lead-up to the World Cup was their lack of club experience abroad. There were only two foreign- based players in his final 23-man squad: Villarreal CF’s Denis Cheryshev and Vladimir Gabulov of Club Brugge KV. “It’s just a statistic, nothing more.” Cherchesov says. “There were times when some members of the national team played abroad and even then we could not produce good performances. What’s crucial is the commitment, readiness, potential and the desire to “We knew how to play against play for your country.” the Saudi Arabia team. I could Cherchesov’s players ticked all the boxes speak for a long time about the and more when their World Cup campaign choice of tactics but the main kicked off on 14 June with their opening thing I said to the team was, Group A fixture against Saudi Arabia. Any fears about Russia’s weaknesses subsided ‘It’s our first match at home, as the host team won 5-0. “We knew the we must show we can perform. opposition very well,” says Cherchesov. There are 150 million people full “We knew how to play against Saudi of expectations watching us.’” Arabia. I could say a lot about the choice FIFA via Getty Images FIFA of tactics, but the main thing I told the team was: ‘It’s our first match at home, we have to show we can perform. There are 150 million people full of expectations out there watching us.’”

28 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 THE TECHNICIAN

It was an evening where Cherchesov’s Russia’s Daler Kuziaev and Sergei Ignashevich surround substitutes played key roles. When Alan Spain’s Diego Costa in the Dzagoev left the pitch injured after round of 16 tie that caused 24 minutes, his replacement, Denis one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup, with Russia Cherychev, proved he was more than eliminating the 2010 World Cup ready to fill the void by scoring the first winners in a penalty shoot-out. two of the four goals he would deliver at the finals. Another substitute, Artem Dzyuba, found the net just 89 seconds after taking the field. He would start every match thereafter and overall contributed, as scorer or assist maker, to five of Russia’s 11 goals. Was this good luck or good

planning? “We knew the shape Cherychev via Getty Images FIFA was in. We knew who would substitute for who in what situations,” Cherchesov Cherchesov. “It was the usual training before the tournament, but this was replies. “The main thing was not to make camp regime. There were no psychological the only match where he employed the mistakes. All the players who came in problems. We just knew we had to change strategy. “Many teams play in a back fitted naturally into the game.” tactics.” This entailed a switch from a four three,” he reflects. “We had two players, With the boost to morale from that to a five-man defence. In came Fedor [Viktor] Vasin and [Georgi] Dzhikiya, who five-goal victory, Russia overcame Egypt Kudryashov into the middle of the back were injured and unable to take part in 3-1 in their second fixture to secure early line alongside Sergei Ignashevich and Ilya the tournament. So, we altered our tactics. qualification for the last 16. Although Kutepov. Spain dominated possession, Preparing for Spain we’d watched many they then lost 3-0 to Uruguay, Cherchesov and over the course of 120 minutes matches, and playing an attacking and ensured his players were ready to face accumulated 1,114 passes to Russia’s 290, open game against them does not lead Spain in their round of 16 meeting in yet they struggled to penetrate the deep to success. So, we changed the set-up Moscow. “Before the game against Russian rearguard. Cherchesov had of the team, which the Spanish did not Spain we focused on tactics,” explains experimented with three centre backs expect, and we achieved our aim.”

Reflections on a coaching career – ‘My work became my life’

Can you tell us a little step I grew until I became the to train the keepers in terms of about your coach head coach of the national physiology and psychology. He education? When did you team. I wouldn’t do anything has an important say with decide you wanted to be differently. regard to the choice of main a coach and how did you goalkeeper. go about it? How do you work with I got my A licence in Austria. your fellow coaches? Finally, a more personal My Pro licence I got in Moscow How much are you question. For a head as I returned to Spartak in involved in the day-to- coach at this level, the 2006. I took the decision to day training sessions? stress is extremely high. become a coach during my What responsibilities How do you control your career as a football player. I does your goalkeeper emotions? How do you played until I was 40 and coach have? keep calm and relax? decided right after that to We started working together A head coach is also a person, become a head coach. in 2009, so we’ve been a team a human being. I have my

for over eight years – myself, via Getty Images FIFA family, my wife and two kids, You had different my first assistant Miroslav who support me. I need their managerial jobs – in Romaschenko, physical trainer and every training session and support, which is the most Austria, Russia and Vladimir Panikov, and have the final say. All the roles important thing. It helps not to Poland – before taking goalkeeper coach Guintaras are distributed – one person is get too tense, after all! I work the job with the national Stauche. We worked together responsible for the warm-up, on staying fit, by running and team. Is there anything as club coaches and I then another for tactical exercises, swimming. The main thing, you wish you’d done included Paulino Granero, our etc. I can honestly say that I am though, is that I love my work differently? physiotherapist, for our work in able to delegate the tasks. As and am passionate about it. I began with a small team, the national team. I play an far as the goalkeeper coach is My work became my life, and Kuffstein, and then step by active part in planning each concerned, his responsibility is my life became my hobby.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 29 THE TECHNICIAN

FIFA via FIFA

At the other end of the pitch that day, a standard-bearer for a new post-World team is worth. We hope we have turned Russia were heavily reliant on their big Cup era for their national team. Within a the situation for the better." front man, Dzyuba, holding the ball up. month of the World Cup ending he had The question now is: what words did After his goal-scoring cameo against agreed a move to AS Monaco from he have for his players on that emotional Saudi Arabia, he was now playing a key PFC CSKA Moskva. “Golovin had already evening at the Fisht Stadium? He explains role, meaning that Fyodor Smolov, the performed well during the that there is not so much a coach can say Russian top flight’s leading scorer for each Confederations Cup,” says Cherchesov. on an occasion like that. “In the dressing of the past two seasons, had to settle for “He also played well this year at CSKA. room I thanked the team for their a substitute’s berth. Dzyuba it was who We’re happy he’s making progress and performance during the tournament converted the penalty equaliser against we hope he carries on improving. There and said nothing more. After such games the Spanish. “Smolov has been one of was a lot written about him during the words are pointless. I talked to them the the main players for two years,” says tournament and he reacted in a way that next day.” Cherchesov, discussing his two front men. was reasonable and correct.” And now, is he hopeful that the love “He was also one of the main players at The same words – and more – could affair ignited during the World Cup can the beginning of the tournament. Dzyuba have applied to his entire squad in the continue? Has the relationship with the performed very well during the training final reckoning. The manner of their nation’s football fans changed for good? camp and was in very good physical and World Cup exit, defeat on penalties by “It’s difficult to give a clear-cut answer psychological shape. Both players were Croatia in a dramatic Sochi quarter-final to this question,” he remarks, “as fans very important during the tournament, where they forced a shoot-out with a have always got their own perspective but Dzyuba showed himself to be in better 115th-minute Mário Fernandes equaliser, when evaluating the national team. We shape and that’s why he became a focal meant they departed with heads held now have to analyse our preparations. point of our attack.” It is an illustration, high. It was a match for which On top of that, some players have already Cherchesov adds, of the importance of Cherchesov had reverted to a back four. announced that they’re retiring, so we competition for places in a squad: one “As far as the game against Croatia is need to find good quality players to player can suddenly find a moment of concerned, we know that they play replace them. We must improve and good form and step in to replace another. attacking football and they also let their we’d like to discover some new names.” Hence the need for flexibility. “There were opponents play, and so we didn’t play Such is a coach’s life. You can make a some variations in the selection. Some of defensively.” nation fall in love with you, but the world them were due to injuries, some due to It was in the immediate aftermath of of football never stops turning. At the the questions set by the games, when that contest that an understandably end of July, Cherchesov signed a two-year we had to find a right answer. A coach’s proud and emotional Cherchesov contract extension and now turns his choice is also sometimes down to declared: “The whole country loves us. attention to the UEFA Nations League and necessity. It depended on the situation. They know what their Russian national EURO 2020 qualifying. Time to go again … We had a line-up [in mind] but, as I mentioned, we managed to create a competitive environment. No one is “There were some variations in the selection. Some of them irreplaceable. All the players knew it were due to injuries, some due to the questions set by the was down to merit who took the field.” games, when we had to find a right answer. A coach’s choice Feeding off Dzyuba, incidentally, was is also sometimes down to necessity. It depended on the Aleksandr Golovin, the 22-year-old that situation. (...) No one is irreplaceable. All the players Russian football fans hope can become knew that it was down to merit who took the field.”

30 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 THE TECHNICIAN

Cherchesov’s CV

Born in Alagir in the southern Russian region of North Ossetia-Alania, Stanislav Cherchesov began his career with Spartak Ordzhonikidze before moving to Moscow for spells with FC Spartak Moskva and FC Lokomotiv Moskva. In the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union he moved abroad and played in Germany with 1. FC Dynamo Dresden and Austria with FC Tirol Innsbruck. The changing political landscape meant that Cherchesov experienced international football with the Soviet Union, the CIS and Russia, representing the latter at the 1994 World Cup, where he made one appearance, and EURO ’96, where he played twice. He had previously had a watching brief as back-up to Dmitri Kharine at EURO ’92. Following his six years as a player in Austria, he returned there in 2004 to embark on his coaching career at FC Kufstein in Austria’s Regional League West, before moving on to FC Wacker Tirol (2004–06). In 2006 he headed back to Russia as sporting director of his old club Spartak before taking the reins there as head coach. Subsequent stints followed at FC Zhemchuzhina Sochi, FC Terek Grozny, FC Amkar Perm and FC Dinamo Moskva. His last club assignment before the Russia opportunity arrived was in Poland with Legia Warszawa that he guided to a league and cup double in 2015/16. Getty Images

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 31 The promotion of events such as the grassroots day held at the headquarters of the Slovenian FA in Brdo gives an insight into the overall mission of an association. NZS THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION FOR MODERN ORGANISATIONS

Communicating is of paramount importance in football – both on and off the pitch. Well-designed communication programmes are essential for sharing a national association’s vision and providing important information that informs key stakeholders of the organisation’s objectives and business priorities.

ndependent research undertaken by programme for member associations. UEFA shows that while the image of Its aim is to support the national Ithe game is strong, the perception of associations in developing a clear national associations can in some cases strategic communications framework that be low, with many facing similar challenges synchronises with their strategic priorities. in building and maintaining a positive “Communication is increasingly reputation. recognised as an important part of It has also become evident that the the business activities of football image of a national association can have organisations,” says Urška Končar, a direct impact on important business marketing and communications director of outcomes. For example, parents are more the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS). likely to let their children play and watch “The UEFA GROW approach to national football if they have a positive perception associations, based on insights and of the sport. research data, is a valuable tool for Having evaluated various research achieving effective communication projects and acknowledging the impact By lending a hand with some pitch strategies and campaigns to support maintenance work, the president of the effective communications can have on Georgian FA, Levan Kobiashvili, highlights the goals of our national association key business objectives of an organisation, the efforts being undertaken in the area of and its stakeholders. At the NZS, we European football’s governing body grassroots football. are trying to improve our strategic decided to provide proactive communications in our daily business communications support to its member and also introduce long-term sustainability associations. as one of our priorities.” A strategic communications initiative The strategic communications initiative was established in September 2017 as part seeks to enhance the strategic positioning of the UEFA GROW business development of national associations, communicating

32 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 relevant channels. key stakeholdergroups across all organisation communicateswithits The strategyshoulddefinehowan stakeholders. andexternal internal goals andincreasing collaborationwith around well-considered organisational purposeful communication as part of our associations and we hope to build in high-level partnerships with our member and business benefits. We strongly believe effectively communicate their alignment execute strategic initiatives unless they can communications at UEFA. Phil Townsend, managing director of the organisation’s overall work,” says as a strategic function that is integral to educate stakeholdersandadvisepartners. relevant audiences, promote change, information should be shared with the positions to determine when and how programme also helps those in top-level A When andhowtoshare? with eachother.” as professionals by sharing their experience everyone with another opportunity to grow individuals involved in the project provides The knowledge and competence of the line with the organisation’s strategic vision. firmly to believe that the PR plan is fully in communication of our priorities has led us relations department. Keti Goliadze, head of the GFF’s public part of the wider GROW project,” says invaluable, while it also constitutes a the strategic communications plan is UEFA regarding the development of seeing a number of positive outcomes. embrace the programme, and it is already one of the first member associations to Georgian Football Federation (GFF) was been implemented this summer. The GROW, with the first strategies having strategic communications pillar of UEFA associations are implementing the n effective strategic communications “ “ “ “ A Associations and senior leaders cannot Communications needs to be viewed Coordinated work regarding the proper The support which we receive from t present, 12 UEFA member A youth competition in Georgia, one of the 12 associations implementing the strategic communications pillar of UEFA GROW.

to longterm. stakeholder perceptions in the medium image of the association and changing communications can help enhance the than on a more strategic approach of how mostly on short-term tactical activity rather in place, first findings show that the focus is some form of communications planning W agenda to GROW European football.” NZS communicationstrategiestohelp internal This alsoincludesthedevelopmentof ways theycandeliverontheirobjectives. strategies whichoutlinehowandinwhat create tailor-made communications associations onanindividualbasisto threats. tions around anypotentialreputational issues andtomanagetheircommunica to respond quicklyandappropriately to plans, whichenablenationalassociations to developeffective crisiscommunications platforms intotheirplanninganddelivery. understand howtointegratethesenew skills andknowledgeasteamslookto However, thisalsoneedsinvestmentin out andengagewithtargetaudiences. and excitingopportunitiestoreach communications havepresented new GFF hile most national associations have U A R ecent developmentsindigital EFA GROW ishelpingthenational specialist skillsetisalsorequired

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UEFA • DIRECT popularity andreach offootball. more effectively inorder toextendthe improve theirimageandcommunicate of theirtargetaudience,andtohelpthem to ensure theystayintouchwiththeneeds associations aclearroad maptofollow it hasalready giventhenational project isstillinitsinfancy;however, and publicationsare forced toadapt social anddigitalmediaare dominant through newspapersortelevision.Today, general publicwouldobtaininformation Twenty yearsago,thevastmajorityof same vision,valuesandstrategicgoals. align thewholeorganisationaround the in themostefficient way. message totheappropriate stakeholder channels whichare abletogettheright associations are usingawiderangeof be beneficial,forward-thinking national proactive strategy.Whilemailinglistscan relations towards amore integrated,more has movedawayfrom pure reactive media will notheartheirmessage. decade ago,theirintendedtargetgroup communication theyusedevenjusta continue usingthesamemethodsof goes fornationalassociations.Ifthey the demandsofmajority.Thesame W T T he UEFA GROW strategic communications he focus of modern communications he focusofmodern ays ofcommunicatingare evolving. September/October stars ofthefuturetoo. communications, but the should focus on in its stars that an association It is not only the current 2018 2018

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33

RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMME

JURY SELECTS RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR 2018/19

The jury for the UEFA Research Grant Programme – an initiative that supports the academic work of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers studying various different aspects of European football – has chosen the research projects that will receive grants for the 2018/19 season, the ninth year of the programme.

EFA-funded research projects are Evaluation Good Hosting – Eine intended to produce findings that Überprüfung von Umsetzung und Uthe European football community can Wirkung in der Swiss Football League, use to make informed decisions and that UEFA by Alain Brechbühl, University of Bern, and its member associations can use to improve Switzerland. Project supported by the their activities and projects. Swiss Football Association. This year, UEFA received 55 proposals for research projects, with those projects being “These research Player transition out of football to developed for and in conjunction with 26 protect wellbeing: a career identity study, different member associations – a clear sign projects will produce by Gavin Breslin, Ulster University, Northern of associations’ strong interest in relevant useful insights for the Ireland. Project supported by the Irish academic research. All 55 proposals made supporting member Football Association. it through to the second assessment stage, associations.” and after a comprehensive review, the Michel D’Hooghe Quantification of energy expenditure in following seven were chosen by the jury: Chairman of the jury elite youth football players: implications

On 23 July the researchers who received grants for the 2017/18 season made their final presentations to the jury. UEFA

34 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMME

for population-specific sports nutrition England. Project supported by the Portuguese guidelines, by James Morton, Liverpool John Football Federation. Moores University, England. Project supported by the English Football Association. Scheduling of concurrent training preceding acute non-contact injuries in elite European Why do (young) football referees quit football players, by Kevin Enright, Liverpool officiating? Insights and implications, John Moores University, England. Project by Paul Potrac, Northumbria University, supported by the English Football Association. England. Project supported by the English

Football Association. UEFA A tale of clubs, leagues and countries: the impact of the Africa Cup of Nations Tom Webb from Portsmouth University Impact of sleep in young football player’s delivers his presentation on his research on European professional football, health and sport performance, by Gil Rodas, on the working practices and operational by Levi Pérez, University of Oviedo, Spain. Ramon Llull University, Spain. Project environments of referees. Project supported by the Royal Spanish supported by the Royal Spanish Football Football Federation. Federation. The working practices and operational Maturity-status ‘bio-banding’ as a tool for environments of referees from a ongoing talent (de)selection of academy transnational comparative perspective, soccer players using a multi-disciplinary by Tom Webb, University of Portsmouth, approach, by Christopher Towlson, University England. Project supported by the Royal of Hull, England. Project supported by the Netherlands Football Association. Scottish Football Association. The jury of the UEFA Research Grant Programme Why do professional men’s football comprises five representatives of the European clubs invest in women’s football? An football family and five academics known analysis of the determinants underlying internationally for their work on sport and integration of women’s football clubs, European football. This year, the jury welcomed by Maurizio Valenti, University of Stirling, three new members, with Edvinas Eimontas, Scotland. Project supported by the Italian Nathalie Iannetta Sabattier and Giangiorgio Spiess Football Association. stepping down and being replaced by Evelina Christillin, Alfred Ludwig, and Hannu Tihinen. Those seven researchers will spend the next nine months carrying out their research in cooperation with the supporting national associations, before presenting their findings UEFA Research Grant Programme jury to UEFA next year. “The jury is very pleased with the research Representatives of the European football community: projects it has selected for this new cycle of • Dr Michel D’Hooghe (chairman of the UEFA Medical the programme. That being said, it was hard Committee and the UEFA Research Grant Programme jury) to choose, given the large number of very high-quality and highly diverse proposals, • Evelina Christillin (member of the FIFA Council) – new which reflects UEFA member associations’ • Alfred Ludwig (former chief executive of the Austrian Football growing interest in tackling strategic issues Association) – new in cooperation with academics. The jury is • Ivančica Sudac (head of international affairs and licensing confident that these research projects will at the Croatian Football Federation) produce useful insights for the supporting member associations and many other • Hannu Tihinen (sporting director at the Football Association European football stakeholders,” said the of Finland and a former international player) – new chairman of the jury, Michel D’Hooghe. University representatives: Final presentations • Prof. Susan Bridgewater (University of Liverpool, England) The researchers who received grants for the 2017/18 season have now made their final • Prof. Paul Downward (Loughborough University, England) presentations to the jury after carrying out the • Prof. Jan Ekstrand (former vice-chairman of the UEFA Medical following research projects: Committee, professor at Linköping University, Sweden) • Prof. Jürgen Mittag (German Sport University, Cologne, Germany) Supporting the football global coach • Prof. Fabien Ohl (University of Lausanne, Switzerland) through cross-cultural training, by Mario Borges, London South Bank University,

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 35 K 36 early its In change. enormous triggered UEFA of creation the predecessors, FIFA their of that mirrored partly and new nothing was football European galvanise to desire founders’ UEFA the while First, Here, he presents his work. the origins of European football’s governing body. University of Lausanne, Switzerland, retracing study by Philippe Vonnard, researcher at the research has resulted in the publication of a UEFA’s support of football-related academic UNIFIED EUROPE FOOTBALLWHEN RESEARCH origins and history? If truth be told, UEFA UEFA told, be truth If history? and origins its and organiser, competition’s the about know actually fans football these do what But world. the over all viewers television aspects of the organisation’s history. history. organisation’s the of aspects body in the shape of UEFA. governing own its had Europe time which organisation – until the early 1960s, by continental Europe’s main was FIFA name, its despite when, – period interwar the from football European of history the chart to used was documentation of wealth This Aigner. Gerhard and Bangerter Hans Delaunay, Pierre secretaries general UEFA former with conducted were interviews and consulted, was Football) France and (L’Équipe time the of press sports French The Switzerland). and France Belgium, Germany, East former the Germany, (England, associations football national various from sources with cross-referenced and analysed were archives FIFA and UEFA the in stored documents of thousands The UEFA’s detail. in examines origins football) of world the in (Europe football discord. political international transcends frequently that and Europe throughout popular remains that sport a played a major role in the development of has it yet And depth. much in studied have historians even not that organisation an is The study highlights three important important three highlights study The du L’Europe monde le dans book The – UEFA DIRECT watched by hundreds of millions of of millions of hundreds by watched was final League Champions UEFA the 2018. yiv,26 again, May Once • September/ October

2018 years, the new governing body set set body governing new the years, or even create, links between European European between links create, even or maintain, to power the had game the that think to as far so going them of utopian most the constraints, political without played be should football that belief the held also they period, interwar the since methods used by FIFA to address conflict the by Inspired context. political a such with dealing of ways find to had therefore leaders Its time. that around created organisations European other many to contrast in Europe, of parts all from came associations member its that in unusual War,Cold the by was UEFA divided were with previous decades. compared unprecedented totally were matches of regularity the and involved associations national of Cup).number The Cup Winners’ European Cup and Nations’ Youth European Tournament, International Cup, Clubs’ Champion (European competitions European organising about Clubs’ Cup). Clubs’ Champion first the in Partizan FK CFfaced Madrid Real when case the (as was divide political the of side either on countries Second, in an era when Europeans Europeans when era an in Second, language version is due to be published soon. published to be due is version language English An integration. in European by sport played role of the recognition of the interms landmark important an therefore is book This sport. concerns of these one only 100 over publications, contains already it though Even office). (Brussels Publishers Academic International Lang by Peter internationally distributed is in1990, collection the Launched integration. of European history the examining of books series Euroclio of the part as inFrench published was study historical This soon coming edition language English

formation de l’UEFA (1930–1960), by Philippe Vonnard. Third, the study explains the reasons reasons the explains study the Third, interaction with other continents. other with interaction UEFA’s of context the in understood fully be only can story the Ultimately, outset. very the from integration European of forefront the at were UEFA’s Moreover, leaders years. many for frequent and numerous been have Europeans between links that shows therefore football European of the Europeans). and was a source of inspiration for 1915, since existed has example, for (the Copa even activities on America its and UEFA, of structure chosen and creation the on impact direct a had dialogue this that shows research The years. many for together worked and ideas shared have continents flagship two sport’s the time, to time from arisen have them between tensions Although period. interwar the to back dating relationship close a enjoyed have officials football American South and European that fact little-known the reveals 1950sand the in UEFA’s behind establishment This study of the early development development early the of study This L’Europe dans le monde du football, genèse et Éditions PeterLang,2018,Brussels,416pages.

XXX FUTSAL

EUROPEAN FUTSAL’S NEW ERA Two futsal competitions were launched in the summer: the UEFA Futsal Champions League and UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO.

n 5 July draws were made for both the UEFA Futsal Champions League, Oformerly the UEFA Futsal Cup, and the new UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO 2019 – Europe’s inaugural official women’s futsal championship. From a first UEFA Futsal Cup in 2001/02 with 27 entrants, the first UEFA Futsal Champions League features 57 clubs from 53 associations. The UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, said of the rebranded futsal club competition: “We are convinced that this will raise the competition’s profile and increase public awareness of European club futsal.” The format remains the same as that introduced for the last UEFA Futsal Cup in 2017/18 – a preliminary round, a main round split into two paths, an elite round in November and four-team knockout finals in April. While 19 entrants are debutants, many familiar names feature in the field of participants, led by Spain’s Inter FS, who last season became only the second club to retain the European title, taking their tally of victories to five, three more than anyone else.

They are joined by two-time winners Barça UEFA (the new branding for FC Barcelona’s indoor teams) and Kairat Almaty, as well as fellow Northern Ireland will be one of three group Fifty-seven clubs have entered the former champions SL Benfica and TTG-Ugra hosts, alongside Lithuania and Moldova, with first Futsal Champions League, with 19 debutants among them. Yugorsk. Path A of the main round, from the winners going through to the main round where the top three in each four-team group from 11 to 16 September. The four group progress, includes matchups such as Barça v winners will progress to the knockout finals Benfica and Kairat against Sporting Clube in February, hosted by one of the qualifiers. de Portugal, beaten by Inter in the last two With so many new teams, the competition is finals. From Path B, only the group winners wide open. However, the historically dominant proceed to the next round. European men’s futsal force, Spain, have a team Before the main round in early October, on a 15-match unbeaten run since December nine preliminary round groups are played 2016. In the last 12 months they have won between 28 August and 2 September. the strong Victory Day Cup in Moscow and a four-nation tournament on home soil in An expanded competition Guadalajara, key rivals Russia and Portugal The week before that, the preliminary round among their victims. of the new UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO will These two competitions are not the end of “We are convinced be played, involving 10 of the inaugural 23 UEFA’s futsal innovations. On 1 November the that this will raise entrants – the teams of most of which have qualifying draw will be made for the inaugural the competition’s been set up since the new tournament was European Under-19 Futsal Championship, set announced. Appropriately, the first name to conclude in September 2019, while the profile and increase drawn on 5 July was Northern Ireland, who senior Futsal EURO has now expanded from public awareness of will be making their futsal national team a 12-team finals held every two years to a European club futsal.” debut, having never taken part in the men’s 16-team tournament held every four years, Aleksander Čeferin futsal EURO to date. with the next finals coming up in 2022. UEFA president

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 37 T 38 Marino. San and Sarajevo East from teams with grouping tough ina of Hungary Region West the over edge anarrow team Czech the gave that difference goal was it fact, In agoal. conceding without adraw and wins to two thanks Králové, Hradec by KFS topped was it and completed been Republic. Czech the be could it that is destination final hint apossible at only the moment, the at and, tournament final the to stage selected be then will of them One finalists. the decide towards the 11th final tournament. Without knowing their destination, amateur teams from all over Europe are on the march comment by the former tennis star could legitimately be applied to the UEFA Regions’ Cup. “Success is ajourney, not adestination.” The quote is attributed to Arthur Ashe. But the ON THE MARCH AMATEUR FOOTBALL competing in eight mini-tournaments to mini-tournaments ineight competing be will grid starting competition’s the on clubs 32 39 of the when September-October, in round intermediate inthe of Israel Tiberias Nev FK sides club Buz This is because one of the groups has already already has groups of the one because is This – ă UEFA DIRECT u region of Romania are now set to join to join set now are of Romania u region FYR Macedonia, South Wales, and the the and Wales, South Macedonia, FYR inlate July.to Teams aconclusion from came groups round preliminary three he ėž • is of Lithuania and Ironi Ironi and of Lithuania is September/October 2018

in 2019, following Zagreb’s victory against the IrishRegion2Munster/Ulsterin2017? Who will win the next UEFA Regions’ Cup

UEFA Regions’ Cupfinaltournament. Group A match in the 2017 UEFA Ingulec (Ukraine) players before their In 2017, the Istanbul (Turkey) and

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In fact, four of the finals have gone into extra into extra have gone finals four of the fact, In

ROMANIA

NATIONWIDE UNDER-15 COMPETITION LAUNCHED

Over the last four years, the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has worked hard to improve its domestic youth competitions. It is hoped this will enhance the quality of national youth teams, as it has been seven years since Romania last qualified for the final round of a UEFA youth competition.

his is obviously a long-term project, but some benefits can T already be seen. Having successfully revamped Romania’s national Under-17 and Under-19 championships and renamed them as elite leagues, the FRF recently launched its first nationwide Under-15 elite league. This inaugural competition, which will conclude in summer 2019, is being contested by players born after 31 December 2003. This project is of vital importance, as until now there has been no national Under-15 championship, but separate competitions held in each of Romania’s 41 counties and Bucharest. Those county-level competitions were of a relatively poor standard and did little to foster the development of the country’s most talented young players. The impetus started last year, when FRF the FRF ran an Under-14 tournament for children born in 2004 that identified 153 The first phase of the competition groups (A and B) of four teams each. talented young players. Earlier this summer, started in mid-August at the level of the As in the quarter-finals, every team will those players attended a special training 41 counties, plus Bucharest, and will run play every other team once at a single camp, together with the best foreign-based until 15 October. Between one and eight venue. And again, the top two in each players, with a view to establishing the teams will qualify from each local group will go through. country’s first national Under-15 side. competition, depending on how many The fifth phase, on 25 and 26 June, That team will play their first international teams take part. Non-qualifying teams will will be a final round at a single venue, friendlies in a few months’ time. continue the competition at county level. with two semi-finals (the winners of Those children have a particular need for The second phase, at regional level Groups A and B against the runners-up continuity: international studies indicate from 27 October 2018 to 13 April 2019, in Groups B and A respectively), a that 70% of players give up football and will comprise 16 groups, with each group third-place play-off and a final. other sports between the ages of 13 and being contested by five or six teams. The competition features special 15, and the new national Under-15 Every team will play every other team rules to promote fair play, with players championship seeks to provide that twice, home and away, and the 16 group being sent to the ‘sin bin’ for seven continuity. winners will go through to the next phase. minutes if any of the following offences This competition, which is open to The third phase, from 1 to 5 May 2019, are committed: diving (no matter FRF-affiliated and non-affiliated clubs will be the quarter-final stage, with four where on the pitch); verbal or physical alike, gives teams the opportunity to pit groups of four teams. Every team will play dissent towards the referee by a player; themselves against the very best opponents every other team once in a ‘week of verbal or physical dissent towards the in the country. Matches last 70 minutes football’, with a single venue hosting all referee by a team official (in which (35 minutes each way), and the FRF will matches in each group. The top two in case, the head coach will decide which cover all expenses – accommodation, each group will proceed to the next phase. player is sent to the sin bin); and the medical services and refereeing costs – The fourth phase will be the semi-final removal of a player’s shirt when from the quarter-finals onwards. stage from 14 to 18 June, with two celebrating a goal.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 39 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ALBANIA www.fshf.org WORK CONTINUES AT FULL SPEED ON THE NEW NATIONAL ARENA

GERT CARCANI

Work on Albania’s new national stadium has stepped up a gear and will continue apace until the new venue is ready. According to the engineers responsible for the project, about 70% of the work has already been completed. It is expected that work on the drainage and pitch will get under way at the beginning of October, as soon as the stadium roof is in place. At the same time, work will continue non-stop on all other parts of the new stadium. The Albanian Football Association (FSHF) is keeping a close eye on how the project is progressing, while at the same time working on its new offices and a mini-stadium in another area of Tirana. Like the new national stadium, the association’s new offices combined with a mini-stadium and training complex are also due to be ready sometime next year. In addition to these investments in football infrastructure, the FSHF has also largely funded a football complex in the Ballsh area. FSHF

AZERBAIJAN www.affa.az FOOTBALL MASTERCLASS FOR CHILDREN

NUBAR AGHAZADE

The IDEA (International Dialogue Federations of Azerbaijan recently hosted to encourage children to adopt a healthy for Environmental Action) public a joint football masterclass for children lifestyle; to help them make good use of union, the UN office in Azerbaijan on Baku’s Seaside Boulevard. their spare time; to increase awareness of and the Association of Football This event had four objectives: the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; and to support the country’s sports policy. About 50 children attended the masterclass, which was led by Azerbaijan internationals Kamran Aghayev, Ruslan Gurbanov and Javid Imamverdiyev. The three players helped the children to improve their skills, showing them how to pass and control the ball. At the end of the event, the children who took part were presented with balls highlighting the UN’s Sustainable AFFA Development Goals.

40 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BELARUS www.bff.by UEFA AND BELARUS GRASSROOTS PROJECT

GLEB STAKHOVSKY

UEFA and the Football Federation ambassador Alexander Hleb. pathways for players and coaches. The of Belarus (BFF) have launched a Belarus has been selected for the clubs themselves will be given specific joint project aimed at developing pilot project in view of the next UEFA targets: attracting boys and girls to the country’s grassroots football Grassroots Conference, which will take play football and retaining them, activities and increasing participation. place in Minsk in 2019. The project in establishing grassroots coaching The one-year project, which involves Belarus will improve the quantity and activities, and running social and nine clubs, is serving as a pilot scheme quality of grassroots football, and UEFA schools programmes. for a club development project that has pledged constant support over the The results will be showcased at UEFA hopes will inspire other countries year. The BFF is establishing a project the UEFA Grassroots Conference in eastern Europe. menu that includes specialist children’s and best practice examples will be The clubs in four regions of Belarus grassroots coach education, and an highlighted that could be replicated in will be helped to develop grassroots education programme for club staff several other eastern European football through education and training, and volunteers. In addition, the countries. to increase the number of children association will strive to develop its An evaluation will be made after playing football and further develop the relationships with clubs in the grassroots the conclusion of the pilot environment for football players. An sector. programme, and further cooperation agreement launching the project was Certain targets have been set by UEFA will be agreed in consultation with signed at a ceremony in Minsk, on and the BFF as part of the project. These the Belarus ministry of sport and 25 June, involving representatives of include setting up grassroots leagues, tourism, with a view to supporting the UEFA, the BFF and the country’s sports developing club management, and continued improvement of grassroots ministry, as well as Belarus grassroots helping clubs by offering education and football and education in Belarus.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA www.nfsbih.ba ‘CHOICE RATHER THAN COINCIDENCE’

FEDJA KRVAVAC

The United Nations Population greater equality and equal opportunities stadiums with reflector lighting. Fund (UNFPA) and the Bosnia and for all. Over on the pitch, a women’s football Herzegovina Football Federation In other news, the federation has festival was held in Sarajevo. Around 300 (NSBiH) have signed a memorandum of continued its programme to improve girls from 18 clubs showed off their understanding on the promotion of conditions in the country’s premier footballing skills. The festival drew a women’s football and gender equality in league stadiums, with the general large number of spectators, with the Bosnia and Herzegovina. The signing of secretary, Jasmin Baković, signing a fathers v daughters match a particular the document also marked the start of a contract with the companies that will attraction. The festival is held within the campaign entitled ‘Choice rather than carry out the work and supply the framework of the development and coincidence’ promoting solidarity for equipment for the improvement of the promotion of women’s football. reflector lighting. The project, which has In Sarajevo, meanwhile, a ‘train the been approved by the NSBiH Executive trainer’ course for stewards was run by Committee, is scheduled to cover all nine the NSBiH with the support of UEFA for stadiums at which the premier league 31 participants from the national matches are played. The NSBiH will sign a associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, three-partite contract with each club and FYR Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia. its local authority for the work on Finally, the first of the three UEFA electrical installations and the Certificate in Football Management procurement and mounting of the (CFM) face-to-face seminars took place in floodlight poles in the stadiums. All the Sarajevo. Besides Bosnia and Herzegovina work must be completed by November as the hosts, participants from Croatia, 2019, and from 2020 all premier league Georgia and Romania completed the F. KrvavacF. matches will have to be played in course intake.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 41 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr HEROES’ WELCOME FOR WORLD CUP FINALISTS

NIKA BAHTIJAREVIĆ

Twenty years after Croatia’s bronze their favour in extra time and catapult HNS medal debut at the World Cup, Croatia into their first-ever World Cup the national team went one step final. local organising committee in Russia further this time, reaching the final and Though Croatia played a good game in for staging such an excellent tournament. bringing home the country’s first silver the final, the team were ultimately kept The HNS also thanked all Croatia fans at medal. from the World Cup trophy by a 4-2 home and abroad for their unwavering Under the watchful eye of the head defeat against France. “We are sad support, as well as its commercial coach, Zlatko Dalić, the Vatreni stormed because of the loss, but we are proud partners and media representatives for through the group stage, with the team’s of how we played,” said the captain their important contribution. 3-0 win over Argentina sure to remain a and recipient of the Golden Ball award, Although the euphoria of Croatia’s fond memory for Croatia fans for many Luka Modrić. silver turn will no doubt last for many years to come. Croatia’s round of 16 The team’s momentary sadness was months to come, the HNS was quick to match against Denmark and quarter-final forgotten when they arrived back to a get back to business, with the first thing showdown with Russia left the nation on rapturous welcome in Zagreb, where on the agenda being its annual summer the edge of their seats – both matches 550,000 fans had gathered to greet camp for Under-15 and Under-16 players. ended in penalty shoot-outs and gave the silver medallists. The celebrations As proved by the fact that all but one of goalkeeper Danijel Subašić a chance to continued all around the country. Croatia’s silver medallists have passed shine, while the winning penalty was After the tournament, congratulations through the federation’s youth team scored both times by vice-captain were in order — apart from thanking the system, world-class teams are formed Ivan Rakitić. players, the technical staff, and the years before they ever hit the big scene When Dalić’s squad took on the young delegation, the Croatian Football – and with a silver medal alongside the and ambitious England in the semi-finals, Federation (HNS) extended its thanks previous bronze one, it is high time for the Vatreni managed to turn the score in and congratulations to FIFA and the Croatia to start preparing for gold.

DENMARK www.dbu.dk ‘THE FRIENDLY GROUP’ – A TRIBUTE TO FOOTBALL’S SENSE OF COMMUNITY

MIA KJÆRGAARD

Out on the pitch, it is sometimes the Danish national team via Twitter, So, we rewrote the Danish national hard to tell, but football can be a together with a message in Danish saying anthem, so that, instead of praising very friendly sport. The Danish how much they were looking forward to Denmark’s hills, shorelines and beech national team took part in this summer’s the game between the two countries on trees, the song now focused on the World Cup, where they were drawn in 16 June – the opening match of the beauty of the Andes, the shores of the Group C alongside France, Australia and tournament for both teams. Pacific and the history of the Incas, and Peru. With the South Americans appearing After seeing that beautiful video, the we had it performed by the Danish in the final round of the competition for Danish Football Association was keen to national girls’ choir. The video went viral, the first time in 36 years, the Peruvian return the gesture by producing a video with more than 10,000 ‘likes’ on Twitter Football Federation (FPF) wanted everyone of its own. We teamed up with a number alone and more than 4,500 retweets. to know how happy they were to be back of footballing icons past and present, The teams’ correspondence via Twitter on the greatest stage of all. telling our Peruvian counterparts that sparked the hashtag #TheFriendlyGroup, The FPF expressed their pride at even a small country can do great things. followed by a similar exchange of qualifying for the World Cup by making We decided that our video also needed messages between France and Australia an emotional video explaining just what to pay tribute to football’s great sense – further evidence that football is a football means to the passionate people of of community, which the Peruvians friendly game, with plenty of passion Peru. They then sent that video directly to had managed to capture so beautifully. both on and off the pitch.

42 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ENGLAND www.thefa.com INTRODUCING THE NEW ELITE COACH MENTEES

EMILY LILES

The FA recently celebrated the Managers Association masterclass events. invaluable. He said: “Naturally, as a graduation of Sarah Lowden, Their programmes have been carefully coach it will be exciting to work with Ryan Semple, Katie Quinlan and constructed to allow for a year’s worth coaches on the grass with the various Rajab Noor, its second set of FA elite of meaningful work experience across a age group national teams.” coach menteeship graduates at a broad range of opportunities, equipping Meanwhile, Husnu believes the ceremony at St George’s Park. them with new skills and qualities to programme will help his development Now it is the turn of four new support the next moves in their coaching and desire to secure a full-time position. aspirational young coaches to embark on careers. He said: “This will help turn me into an an exciting new chapter in their journeys When asked to outline what she is most individual who is ready to work in an elite after being confirmed as The FA’s newest looking forward to in the programme, environment in a full-time role.” elite coach mentees. Carly Davies, David former Aston Villa Ladies forward Davies Last but certainly not least, FA skills Powderly, Kurt Husnu and Stacey Miles will cited “the opportunity to work across coach Miles cannot wait to get started spend the next 12 months navigating their various areas of the elite environment and kick-start a career in football. She said: way through a bespoke programme of provides an insight into areas I might not “I am hoping to become a better coach England youth team camps and county FA otherwise gain experience in.” by the end of the programme through initiatives, supporting both the youth and For David Powderly, an academy coach experiences and influences along the way. national coach developer teams, as well as at Charlton Athletic, the access to elite I have a huge passion for a career within attending UEFA study visits and League coaches, teams and environments will be football and in particular coaching.”

ESTONIA www.jalgpall.ee FOOTBALL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIETY

MAARJA SAULEP

Before each match in the 2018 the sport in the country. In other University of Tartu. World Cup, the Estonian public examples, Schwede discussed how “A large amount of information broadcaster showed video clips football’s image in England changed after stemmed from different football highlighting the ties between football, Paul Gascoigne’s tears in the 1990 World literature written in English. A lot of history and culture in the countries of Cup semi-final; how Maradona and Messi books describe football’s relationship the participating teams. Estonian football shaped the game in Argentina; how with the social sphere, economy, politics journalist Indrek Schwede was the author football replaced rowing as the most and culture in general,” Schwede said and presenter of the clips. popular sport in Rio de Janeiro, and how about the clips. “I read a lot of scientific During the three-minute clips football captured people’s hearts in articles. A good example is the journal Schwede, who is also chief editor of Germany. Soccer and Society.” He explained that Estonia’s largest football magazine, Jalka, The clips form the basis of a lecture football has become an important field explored the historical backgrounds of series that Schwede gave at the of study because “in many parts of the each country and the influences that world, football has become an important different events and people have exerted Indrek Schwede part of society and has extensively on the development of football in those influenced different areas”. countries. Estonia’s leading football journalist is For example, in the case of Australia, currently working on his doctoral thesis Schwede talked about how the distance on the subject of the marginalisation of from the ‘motherland’ and the desire football in Estonia after the Second to differ from the United Kingdom had World War and during the Soviet hindered football’s development. He also occupation. The thesis touches on the talked about how European refugees reasons why the once-popular game who arrived in Australia after the second faded and got overshadowed by world war had raised the popularity of EFA individual sports.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 43 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

GEORGIA www.gff.ge CONSTRUCTION OF 20,000-SEATER ARENA STARTS IN BATUMI

TATA BURDULI

Georgia’s most football-mad UEFA standards and be able to host Batumi. Its opening will be a historic city will have a brand-new international matches both at club and event for the city, which has been without 20,000-seater arena in 2020. national team levels. a football arena since the old seaside The new stadium will fully comply with The stadium will be located in central stadium was demolished in 2006. Highlighting the significance of the project, the president of the Georgian Football Federation, Levan Kobiashvili, said: “The Batumi arena project, for its scale alone, is highly important for the city and its sporting potential. Its construction is a historic event that has long been awaited by everyone in Batumi, and every football fan in the country.” Batumi will become the fifth city in Georgia (after Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Gori and Zestaponi) to have a stadium suitable to GFF host international football matches.

HUNGARY www.mlsz.hu REMEMBERING ISTVÁN TÓTH POTYA

MÁRTON DINNYÉS

Ferencváros and the Association of Jewish Communities in Hungary (Mazsihisz) have commemorated István Tóth Potya, the outstanding former footballer and first professional head coach of the country’s most successful football club, who went on to save hundreds of Jews from certain death in the Second World War before his own untimely passing in 1945. The ceremony, which was attended by the Ferencváros club president, Gábor Kubatov, was held at the club’s museum at the Groupama Arena before Ferencváros’s mlsz.hu UEFA Europa League first qualifying round first-leg match against Maccabi Tel Aviv of about and how the pre-Second World War of the famous coach emblazoned on the Israel. Csaba Tobak, the museum’s sportsman’s personal memorabilia, chest and the words Our Hero, which was director, said that the club “always looks including his training diaries, would now then sported by the children who forward to taking good care of the past. by displayed in the club’s museum. accompanied the players onto the pitch Its aim is to help young people be inspired After those attending the for the Europa League match that same not only by the likes of [talismanic FTC commemoration had watched a short film evening. forward] Daniel Böde but also by men on the life of Tóth Potya, András Heisler, This tribute was also part of the such as István Tóth Potya”. He went on to president of Mazsihisz, spoke about the recently launched campaigns of the explain how the connection with Tóth need for trust in the world, before World Jewish Congress (WJC) and Potya’s grandson István Tóth had come presenting a special T-shirt with a portrait Chelsea FC to tackle anti-Semitism.

44 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ITALY www.figc.it STRATEGIES, INVESTMENTS AND PROJECTS

DIEGO ANTENOZIO

2017 was a year of structural organisational capital, and social and invest heavily in the national youth set-up, consolidation for the Italian Football relationship capital. As the recently both in terms of funding and resources. Association (FIGC), marked by the published 2017 management report As a result, all its national men’s and rapid acceleration of development confirms, on-field activities remain at the women’s youth teams qualified for their programmes in key strategic sectors. heart of the association’s broader respective European Championships. The association’s management model strategy. The report reveals that, despite First issued in 2015, the annual FIGC identifies the five main categories of the men’s national team missing out on management report is designed to help assets and resources that underpin its qualification for the 2018 World Cup in monitor and evaluate management and operations, namely economic capital, Russia, the FIGC has significantly ramped administrative performance, and measure productive assets and natural capital, up its operations in the school, youth and outcomes against the targets and human capital, intellectual and technical sectors, and has continued to strategic objectives set out by the association’s governing structures. It draws information from quarterly reports outlining the progress made in relevant sectors, which are produced by each of the association’s 17 operational divisions. The management report is part of a wider governance policy based on ongoing dialogue between operational areas and full transparency for all stakeholders across all the FIGC’s operations. As part of this commitment, all key publications relating to the association’s activities and governance are available – in Italian and English – in the ‘Transparency’ section of the FIGC FIGC website.

LATVIA www.lff.lv NEW IDENTITY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM

TOMS ĀRMANIS

Latvia’s men’s senior national “We – the Latvian Football Federation – team has a new brand identity. want to become more modern, attractive From now on, the team will and dynamic. Everyone involved in Latvian represent their country under the slogan football wants to achieve something “#11wolves”, and instead of wearing great, and this change fits in with our the logo of the Latvian Football wish to motivate our fans, players and Federation (LFF) on their shirts, they supporters even more. Welcome to the will sport a new emblem combining pack, everyone!” said Kaspars Gorkšs, LFF elements of the country’s flag, a shield president of the LFF. and a football, symbolising a fighting “The Latvian national team is starting their own symbol to identify with the spirit, unity and pride. The team will to write a new story, with new values. Its team – a wolf. The wolf is a legendary also have a second logo associated with new visual identity is something that will animal in Latvian heritage and this it, featuring the image of a wolf, which allow us to make our mark on the map new symbol will help to unite our is already the team’s mascot, that will be of European football and will add to the national team and those willing to used to unite supporters around the team strategical changes we are implementing enter the pack on and off the pitch,” through various public events and as a federation. But that is only half the added Edgars Pukinsks, the federation’s merchandising. story. Our supporters will finally also have general secretary.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

MOLDOVA www.fmf.md LIGHTS, ACTION!

PRESS OFFICE

The lights are gradually being turned on at Moldova’s stadiums. A project by the Football Association of Moldova (FMF) with UEFA support has installed floodlighting at several venues in various parts of the country. The equipment was put into operation in Hîncești and Orhei, two cities in the centre of the country, in May and June, and another set is due to be switched on soon in the country’s ‘northern capital’, Balti. This means that over 75% of Moldova’s top-division matches can now be played FMF under floodlights, a great advantage for the players, who will no longer need play “Great things can be achieved in Moldova the president of the FMF. in the heat of the day, but especially for when all parties pursue a common goal. The association is determined to the supporters, who will be able to This rather costly project was launched a continue rolling out lighting equipment attend matches scheduled at more year ago and was only achievable thanks at other stadiums and give a boost to convenient times. to support from UEFA,” said Pavel Cebanu, Moldovan football overall.

NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com CHARITY GOLF DAY WITH FOOTBALLERS PAST AND PRESENT

NIGEL TILSON

The Irish FA Foundation is The picturesque Royal Belfast Golf Club international or a Northern Ireland legend. staging its first charity golf day on the shores of Belfast Lough will host The national team manager, Michael in September to raise funds for the fundraiser. The event will be played O’Neill, will be among those playing 18 its disability football programmes in in the four-ball format with each team holes at the Holywood course. Northern Ireland. featuring either a current senior men’s Former internationals David Healy, Sammy Clingan, John O’Neill and Stephen Penney have already signed up for the competition alongside Linfield and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll. “This is the first time we’ve organised a charity golf day,” says Andrea Milligan, fundraising officer with the charity foundation of the Irish FA, “and we are delighted Michael O’Neill, current players and Northern Ireland legends are supporting it. We are confident it will be a great event and hope it will raise plenty of money for our various disability football programmes, including our cerebral palsy, IFA deaf football and powerchair teams.”

46 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

MALTA www.mfa.com.mt NEW ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES ANNOUNCED

KEVIN AZZOPARDI

The Malta Football Association competitive match. depending on their division, irrespective (MFA) is taking its support for “From next season, we will introduce of the attendance figures for their clubs and national teams to the a new scheme aimed at promoting and respective matches. next level with the introduction of two rewarding those clubs that make use of This initiative, which represents a new schemes. Addressing the 2018 players aged under 21 who are eligible significant increase in the level of financial annual general meeting, held in Floriana for our national teams,” the MFA assistance to Maltese clubs, will give the on 21 July, Norman Darmanin Demajo, president told the meeting. Malta FA more leeway when it comes to the Malta FA president, announced The 53 clubs across the four divisions offering incentives to entice more fans to the new assistance programmes – one will benefit from this scheme, which follow domestic football. intended to encourage clubs to include is primarily aimed at aiding the The other main items on the agenda of more young Maltese players, and the development of the country’s up-and- the 2018 AGM were the presentation of other to increase the clubs’ gate receipts. coming players. the administrative report by the general Starting from the 2018/19 season, clubs Under the other scheme, called the secretary, Angelo Chetcuti, and the will receive a solidarity payment for every Guaranteed Gate Income Scheme, the presentation of the financial report by young player under 21 who they field in a Malta FA will pay a set amount to clubs Ivan Mizzi, the association’s treasurer.

PORTUGAL www.fpf.pt ‘FOOTBALL FOR EVERYONE’ WINNERS ANNOUNCED

MATILDE DIAS

TIFA (Algarve international adapted Sport; and a Football For Everyone football tournament), Special Ones solidarity match. and Bola Colorida are the three Special Ones was awarded second outstanding projects that convinced the place. This project works directly with FPF expert jury for the Portuguese Football youngsters from deprived socio-economic Federation’s Football for Everyone prize. environments. During a ‘practice week’, in the neighbourhoods of Horta Nova in Launched at the beginning of the year different activities let the participants Carnide and Quinta do Cabrinha in with the support of UEFA’s HatTrick experience the world of football: Alcântara, both in Lisbon. programme, the prize was established to workshops on motivation, fair play and The expert jury that assessed all the promote the fight against discrimination healthy eating, among others. The Football For Everyone applications was and encourage the social inclusion of all activities involve volunteers from the multidisciplinary and composed of children, youth and adults. By the Erasmus+ programme. recognised and, most importantly, application deadline of 30 April, the Third place was awarded to the experienced and qualified members, Portuguese Football Federation had Bola Colorida project, a community including the administrator of the Impresa received more than 50 applications. intervention initiative promoted by the Media Group and president of SIC First place went to TIFA, a non-profit Associação Nacional de Futebol de Rua Esperança, Mercedes Balsemão, the organisation that forms part of APEXA, (national street football association), in president of the Portuguese Red Cross, the support association for exceptional close cooperation with Academia Cidadã, Francisco George, goodwill ambassador people in the Algarve. TIFA’s aim is to which uses street football to promote the of the United Nations Population Fund promote inclusion and equal opportunities social inclusion of vulnerable children and and the founder of Corações Com Coroa for disabled people through football. It young people aged between 6 and 30 (Hearts with Crowns), Catarina Furtado, organises the following four events: an through the empowerment of socially the Portuguese Football Federation’s international adapted football tournament deprived groups and the promotion of vice-president, Humberto Coelho, in Albufeira; a seminar on Inclusion For intercultural dialogue. Bola Colorida will and its director for women’s football, Everyone; a fair on Health and Adapted develop street football pilot experiments Mónica Jorge.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTLAND www.scottishfa.co.uk 16-YEAR-OLD GILMOUR Billy Gilmour SHINES IN TOULON

MICHAEL LAMONT

Scottish FA JD Performance Both Gilmour and Hamilton are graduates School graduate Billy Gilmour of the elite performance schools, a captained Scotland’s Under-21s Scottish FA initiative delivering an at the Toulon Tournament in France in extensive and challenging programme for the summer and was named ‘Revelation the country’s most talented young of the Tournament’. footballers at seven schools. Scottish FA The Chelsea midfielder joined fellow Michael Johnston, Glenn Middleton 16-year-old Hearts defender Chris and Fraser Hornby’s development was team. In the last year we have fast- Hamilton in being fast-tracked from also accelerated by being promoted tracked a number of youngsters who Scotland’s Under-17s to take part in the from the Under-19s, with Johnston have gone on to excel at a high level, and competition, where Scotland reached the being named the third best player at the Toulon Tournament acted as another semi-finals for the second year in a row. the Toulon Tournament. stage to showcase our best young talent During the tournament, Gilmour The Scottish FA’s performance director, against some of the most highly rated became the youngest scorer in Malky Mackay, said: “The Scottish FA players in the world. It’s important for our Scotland’s history at Under-21 level and coaches possess a strong belief in players to experience different playing the team also defeated France in what fast-tracking our best young players, styles, systems and cultures, which they was a momentous victory against the with the ultimate aim of producing a did in Toulon, allowing us to continue to hosts. conveyor belt of talent for our national excel against the best.”

SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk ALL CHANGE AT YOUTH LEVEL

PETER SURIN

Since 1 July, all of Slovakia’s national youth teams – both male and female – have had new coaches, with Samuel Slovák (Under-16s and Under-17s) having decided not to continue as coach and Milan Malatinský (Under-18s and Under-19s) having passed away in tragic SFZ circumstances in May. Slovák, who also works for the Slovak while Albert Rusnák has taken charge country at senior level. “We wanted a Football Association (SFZ) as its main of the Under-18s and Under-19s. Marek coaching team that would get on really youth coordinator, decided to step down Bažík has been appointed head coach well with each other and would have from his coaching role owing to the of the Under 17s, and Branislav Fodrek very similar views regarding football,” commitments of his primary role at the has taken charge of the Under-16s. said Karol Belaník, SFZ vice president national association. Meanwhile, Jozef Jelšic has been with responsibility for national teams. Moreover, back in March, the SFZ’s appointed head coach of the women’s “We hope that all of these new contract with Pavel Hapal, the successful Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-19s, with coaches will establish direct lines of coach of the national Under-21 side, was Miroslav Hýll overseeing the goalkeepers communication with clubs and create a terminated by mutual consent, with Hapal in those teams. All of these men belong positive environment with a strong work being appointed head coach of Czech to a new generation of coaches, applying ethic. We want to establish a uniform giants AC Sparta Praha. modern philosophies and methods to playing style across all youth teams, so Adrián Guľa, formerly the successful their daily work. All of them have played that these teams are closely linked and head coach of MŠK Žilina, has taken over for Slovakia at youth level, with Fodrek players can move seamlessly from one from Hapal as coach of the Under-21s, and Hýll having also represented their to another.”

48 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SWITZERLAND www.football.ch FOUR SUBSTITUTIONS NOW PERMITTED IN CHALLENGE LEAGUE AND ERSTE LIGA

PIERRE BENOIT

The Erste Liga, the highest of competitive football in Switzerland the country’s ten best Under-21 teams, echelon of Swiss grassroots (Promotion League), as well as the fourth recently met at the league’s annual football, linking the Swiss tier (1. Liga), in which 42 clubs are divided administrative seminar in Berne. This event Football League and the amateur league, is into three groups. enables the Promotion League clubs and responsible for the 16-club third tier All 58 Erste Liga clubs, which include the Erste Liga clubs to make preparations for the new season and is used to present future developments, explain rule changes and go through all relevant issues for the coming season. One key change being introduced this season allows each team to make four substitutions in all Erste Liga (championship, cup qualifiers, finals and play-offs) and Challenge League matches. All Promotion League matches are also being broadcast live on the website and on mycujoo.tv, while the match centre allows fans to follow all Erste Liga and Promotion League matches on their mobile phone, tablet or computer. If the rising number of clicks is anything to go by, the Erste Liga is fast becoming increasingly popular with spectators, fans SFV and sponsors alike.

TURKEY www.tff.org 2018/19 TURKISH SUPER LEAGUE NAMED AFTER LEFTER KÜÇÜKANDONYADİS

EGE ERSÖZ

The 2018/19 ‘Lefter well. Later, he was the first end of the 1953/54 season and playing Küçükandonyadis’ player to be awarded the ‘gold there for more than ten years. He ended Turkish super league medal of honour’ of the Turkish his professional football career at AEK season kicked off on 10 August. Football Federation. His statue Athens in 1964, by which time he had At the monthly board meeting stands in Kadıköy Kuşdili park scored a grand total of 843 goals in his in July, the Turkish Football opposite Fenerbahçe’s stadium. career. Federation decided to name Küçükandonyadis was born After retiring as a player, the season in memory of Lefter in Büyükada near Istanbul on Küçükandonyadis went on to coach Küçükandonyadis, one of 25 December 1925. He started several clubs. Turkey’s greatest footballers, playing football at Taksimspor Since 2014/15, the Turkish Football who died in January 2012. TFF and moved to Fenerbahçe in Federation has named its super league Küçükandonyadis made 50 1947, where he played for four seasons in memory of illustrious figures in appearances and scored 21 goals for his years before joining Italian club ACF Turkish football, with Süleyman Seba, country. He played for Turkey in the Fiorentina for the 1951/52 season. After Hasan Doğan, Turgay Şeren and İlhan 1954 World Cup, scoring two goals. He one season in Italy, he went to OGC Nice Cavcav coming before Lefter captained the national team nine times as in France, returning to Fenerbahçe at the Küçükandonyadis.

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 49 BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

September Marco Borg (Malta, 16 September) October Gerhard Aigner (Germany, 1 September) Antero Silva Resende Håkan Sjöstrand (Sweden, 1 October) José Guilherme Aguiar (Portugal, 18 September) Sergejus Slyva (Lithuania, 1 October) (Portugal, 1 September) Şenes Erzik (Turkey, 18 September) Agnieszka Prachniak Manuel Díaz Vega (Spain, 1 September) Roberto Rosetti (Italy, 18 September) (Poland, 1 October) 30th João Morais (Portugal, 1 September) Miroslava Migalova (Slovakia, 18 September) Levent Bıçakcı (Turkey, 2 October) Andrzej Wach (Poland, 2 October) Alain Giresse (France, 2 September) Marija Anđelković (Serbia, 18 September) Lutz Michael Fröhlich (Germany, 2 October) Savo Milošević (Serbia, 2 September) Reinhard Grindel (Germany, 19 September) Léon Schelings (Belgium, 3 October) Marco Brunelli (Italy, 2 September) John Fleming (Scotland, 20 September) Gérard Houllier (France, 3 September) Victor van Helvoirt Paul Lyon (Gibraltar, 20 September) 60th (Netherlands, 3 October) Rudolphe Mannaerts (Belgium, 3 September) Miloš Marković (Serbia, 20 September) Wilfried Heitmann (Germany, 4 October) David Elleray (England, 3 September) Helena Herrero González Khennet Tallinger (Sweden, 4 October) Bartłomiej Zalewski (Poland, 3 September) (Spain, 21 September) 60th Silvo Borošak (Slovenia, 4 October) Grigoriy Surkis (Ukraine, 4 September) Viktor Paradnikov Márton Vági (Hungary, 4 October) Hendrik Grosse-Lefert (Ukraine, 21 September) 60th Frank Coulston (Scotland, 5 October) (Germany, 4 September) Nenad Dikić (Serbia, 21 September) Terje Hauge (Norway, 5 October) Barry Taylor (England, 5 September) Stefan Weber (Germany, 21 September) Yves Leterme (Belgium, 6 October) Eija Vähälä (Finland, 6 September) Vladislav Khodeev (Russia, 21 September) Peter Sippel (Germany, 6 October) Bernd Stöber (Germany, 6 September) Luc Wilmes (Luxembourg, 21 September) 50th Francesca Sanzone (Italy, 6 October) 40th Shmuel Shteif (Israel, 6 September) Iveta Stoyanova Bankova Nail Izmaylov (Russia, 21 September) György Mezey (Hungary, 7 September) (Bulgaria, 6 October) Cornelis de Bruin (Netherlands, 22 September) Antonio Laranjo Samantha Lovše (Slovenia, 6 October) Kairat Boranbayev (Portugal, 7 September) 60th Armand Duka (Albania, 7 October) Werner Helsen (Belgium, 7 September) (Kazakhstan, 22 September) Jari Maisonlahti (Finland, 7 October) Vignir Már Thormódsson Goetz Eilers (Germany, 23 September) Andrii Pavelko (Ukraine, 7 October) (Iceland, 7 September) Vlado Svilokos (Croatia, 23 September) Draženko Kovačić (Croatia, 8 October) Adrian Titcombe (England, 8 September) Andreu Subies i Forcada Pierre Delaunay (France, 9 October) Kostadin Gerginov (Bulgaria, 9 September) (Spain, 23 September) Sergey Zuev (Russia, 9 October) Geir Thorsteinsson (Iceland, 9 September) Giangiorgio Spiess James Buckle (England, 9 October) Ilonka Milanova Djaleva (Switzerland, 24 September) Ellert Schram (Iceland, 10 October) (Bulgaria, 9 September) 50th Eugen Strigel (Germany, 24 September) Laurent Duhamel (France, 10 October) 50th Friedrich Curtius (Germany, 9 September) Ionel Piscanu (Romania, 24 September) Alin Cioban (Romania, 10 October) Christos Christou (Chypre, 10 October) Aki Riihilahti (Finland, 9 September) Matteo Frameglia (Italy, 24 September) Naira Abramyan (Armenia, 10 October) Charles Robba (Gibraltar, 10 September) Magdalena Urbanska (Poland, 24 September) Joan Gaspart Solves (Spain, 11 October) Cengiz Zülfikaroğlu (Turkey, 10 September) Dr Mogens Kreutzfeldt Dimitar Zisovski Ioannis Tsachilidis (Denmark, 25 September) (FYR Macedonia, 11 October) (Greece, 11 September) 50th Paul Krähenbühl (Switzerland, 25 September) Yuriy Barbash (Ukraine, 11 October) Katarzyna Wierzbowska Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Bo Karlsson (Sweden, 12 October) (Poland, 11 September) (Germany, 25 September) Anna De Toni (Italy, 12 October) Tomas Karpavičius (Lithuania, 11 September) Christine Frai (Germany, 25 September) Pedro Tomás (Spain, 13 October) Talal Darawshi (Israel, 12 September) Rotem Kamer (Israel, 25 September) Aleksander Čeferin (Slovenia, 13 October) Tanya Gravina (Malta, 12 September) Ayşe Idil Cem (Turkey, 25 September) Dušan Krchňák (Slovakia, 14 October) Stanisław Speczik (Poland, 13 September) Stephen Lodge (England, 26 September) Tom van der Hulst (Netherlands, 15 October) Lennart Schafroth (Sweden, 13 September) Camelia Nicolae (Romania, 26 September) Michel Piraux (Belgium, 15 October) Jon Skjervold (Norway, 13 September) Dzmitry Kryshchanovich Wendy Toms (England, 16 October) Lennart Vestervall (Sweden, 13 September) Konrad Plautz (Austria, 16 October) (Belarus, 26 September) Ingrid Jonsson (Sweden, 13 September) John Delaney Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland, 26 September) 40th Philippe Prudhon (France, 13 September) (Republic of Ireland, 16 October) Jens Kleinefeld (Germany, 27 September) Ivan Gazidis (England, 13 September) Gian Luca Angelini (San Marino, 16 October) Miguel Liétard Fernández-Palacios Michael van Praag JeanMarie Philips (Belgium, 17 October) (Spain, 13 September) (Netherlands, 28 September) Frans Hoek (Netherlands, 17 October) Javid Garayev (Azerbaijan, 14 September) Karel Bohunek Adonis Procopiou (Cyprus, 17 October) Kim Robin Haugen (Norway, 14 September) (Czech Republic, 28 September) Pedro López Jiménez (Spain, 18 October) Adam Giersz (Poland, 15 September) Zoltán Drucskó (Hungary, 28 September) Petros Mavroidis (Greece, 19 October) Eugeniusz Nowak (Poland, 15 September) Cristian Vornicu (Romania, 29 September) Aivar Pohlak (Estonia, 19 October) Dejan Savićević (Montenegro, 15 September) Dariusz Pawel Dziekanowski Miljenko Sakoman (Croatia, 19 October) Sokol Jareci (Albania, 15 September) (Poland, 30 September) Paul Philipp (Luxembourg, 21 October) Robert Agnarsson (Iceland, 21 October) Antonis Petrou (Cyprus, 16 September) Cristina Daniela Uluc Mircea Sandu (Romania, 22 October) Kelly Simmons (England, 16 September) 50th (Romania, 30 September) 40th

50 – UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 BIRTHDAYS, NOTICES, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

NOTICES John Taylor (Scotland, 22 October) 19 October, Nyon Ariel Kenneth Scheiman (Israel, 22 October) European Under-21 Championship: play-off draw • Pierluigi Collina has stepped down Fridin Ziskason (Faroe Islands, 22 October) 29 October, Nyon from his position as UEFA’s chief Women’s Football Committee Peter Dedik (Slovakia, 22 October) refereeing officer. He has been Jan Huijbregts (Netherlands, 23 October) replaced by fellow Italian Roberto Michel Vautrot (France, 23 October) September competitions Rosetti, who has also taken over Dragutin Karlo Poljak (Croatia, 23 October) 5–11 September Elmir Pilav European Under-21 Championship: qualifying as chairman of the UEFA Referees (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 23 October) matches Committee. Antonin Herzog (Czech Republic, 24 October) 6–8 September Edvin Libohova (Albania, 24 October) 60th UEFA Nations League: matchday 1 • On 13 August, the UEFA Foundation Elvedin Begić 9–11 September for Children launched a new call UEFA Nations League: matchday 2 (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 24 October) for projects. Applicants have until Roy Cathcart (Northern Ireland, 26 October) 11–16 September 13 September to submit details of Markku Lehtola (Finland, 26 October) European Women’s Futsal Championship: main round Hugh Dallas (Scotland, 26 October) their projects. All the necessary Perry Gautier (Belgium, 26 October) 12/13 September information and selection criteria UEFA Women's Champions League: are available on Cristian Chivu (Romania, 26 October) round of 32 (first legs) Gerard Perry (Republic of Ireland, 27 October) www.uefafoundation.org. 18/19 September Greg Clarke (England, 27 October) UEFA Champions League: group matches Jürgen Paepke (Germany, 28 October) (matchday 1) • On 6 July, Agim Ademi was Rui Cacador (Portugal, 29 October) UEFA Youth League – UEFA Champions League path: elected president of the George Fantaros (Cyprus, 29 October) group matches (matchday 1) Football Federation of Kosovo. Maria Persson (Sweden, 29 October) 50th 20 September Silvia Tea Spinelli (Italy, 29 October) UEFA Europa League: group matches (matchday 1) He succeeds Fadil Vokrri, who José Da Cunha Rodrigues 26/27 September died in June. (Portugal, 30 October) UEFA Women's Champions League: round of 32 (return legs) Tim Meyer (Germany, 30 October) • The football associations of Belarus, Alexander Alaev (Russia, 30 October) Latvia, Liechtenstein, Scotland Alan McRae (Scotland, 31 October) 70th October competitions and Spain have all appointed new Kurt Zuppinger (Switzerland, 31 October) 2/3 October general secretaries/chief executives: José Luis Astiazarán Iriondo (Spain, 31 October) UEFA Champions League: group matches Belarus: Yury Verheichyk (replacing (matchday 2) Siarhei Safaryan); Latvia: Edgars Fredy Fautrel (France, 31 October) UEFA Youth League – UEFA Champions League path: group matches (matchday 2) Pukinsks (replacing Jānis Mežeckis); FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2–7 October Liechtenstein: Peter Jehle (replacing UEFA Futsal Champions League: main round Philipp Patsch); Scotland: Ian 3 October Maxwell (replacing Stewart Regan); September meetings UEFA Youth League – domestic champions path: first round (first legs) Spain: Andreu Camps (replacing 4 September, Nyon Esther Gascón). Elite Club Coaches Forum 4 October UEFA Europa League: group matches (matchday 2) 4 September, Nyon UEFA Youth League – domestic champions path: 4–10 October first and second round draws Women’s World Cup: play-offs OBITUARY 7 September, Nyon 10–16 October European qualifying competition for the Women's European Under-21 Championship: qualifying World Cup: play-off draw matches On 25 July, György Szepesi, former 26 September, Nyon 11–13 October president of the Hungarian Football Finance Committee UEFA Nations League: matchday 3 Federation, passed away at the age 27 September, Nyon 14–16 October of 96. Within UEFA, Szepesi served UEFA Nations League: matchday 4 Executive Committee as a member of the Commission 17/18 October and 31 October – 1 November UEFA Women's Champions League: round of 32 of Study on the problem of radio/ October meetings 23/24 October television (1974-80), Club Competitions 1 October, Nyon UEFA Champions League: group matches Committee (1980–82), Media UEFA Women's Champions League: round of 32 (matchday 3) Committee (1992–98) and Committee draw UEFA Youth League – UEFA Champions League path: 11 October, Nyon group matches (matchday 3) for the European Championship (1994–96). He was also a member Governance and Compliance Committee 24 October 12 October, Nyon UEFA Youth League – domestic champions path: of the FIFA Executive Committee UEFA Futsal Champions League: elite round draw first round (return legs) from 1980 to 1994. 17 October, Nyon 25 October Medical Committee UEFA Europa League: group matches (matchday 3)

UEFA DIRECT • September/October 2018 – 51