ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 scores Atlético’s second goal against during the Europa League final in Lyon on 16 May 2018. UEFA ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 CONTENTS

6 President’s foreword 8 Key decisions 10 Committees

PLAYING THE GAME GOVERNING THE GAME OPERATING THE GAME 16 National team competitions 58 Corporate governance 82 Working with LOCs 20 Club competitions 59 Football stakeholders 86 Pitch manager 24 Women’s competitions and EU bodies 87 Ticketing 28 Youth and amateur competitions 60 Finance 88 Match for Solidarity 30 Futsal competitions 61 Legal 90 Marketing activities and 32 The game and its laws 62 Disciplinary sponsorship 33 Football operations 63 Medical 94 Media rights and production 64 Services and administration services 67 Stadiums and security 95 Digital DEVELOPING THE GAME 68 Social responsibility 38 National associations governance 72 UEFA Foundation for Children 40 Solidarity 73 Communications 46 Education 74 Intelligence centre 48 Technical development 76 Club licensing and 50 Grassroots financial fair play

4 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 5 FOREWORD FOREWORD

THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL AT ITS VERY CORE

A year is a long time in football – but if that year includes success It is also a source of satisfaction that we have been able to maintain and achievement, the months seem to pass by in the blink of an solid levels of revenue. As a result, we can invest significantly in all eye. The 2017/18 year has been rewarding for UEFA; we have areas of European football while, at the same time, providing our consolidated our role as the umbrella body of European football, member associations with important funding to bolster their own continuing to set the course for the future while never losing sight sporting and administrative infrastructures. This is fully in line with of current objectives. our remit to foster each aspect of the European game.

We have shown courage, transparency and leadership in I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our fulfilling our mission to protect, promote and develop the game. successful 2017/18 – the Executive Committee and our other Good governance reforms have given UEFA essential stability; committees, our expert panels and specialist bodies, clubs, partners key European football stakeholders such as the clubs and the and stakeholders, the UEFA administration, and, of course, our 55 leagues now have enhanced roles in the decision-making process; member associations. We can all be proud of the dedicated while the system is still being perfected, financial fair play is common efforts undertaken to safeguard the best interests of nevertheless having a positive impact on clubs’ financial European football and nurture its overall well-being. management; and dialogue with the European political authorities remains fruitful. Our social responsibility activities have taken on This year, our annual report has a new look – we have impressive new dimensions. Administrative structures have been combined the reports of the president, Executive Committee successfully fine-tuned, and we have been diligently shaping a and UEFA administration, and given the report an up-to-date feel. fresh strategic outlook for the years ahead. We particularly hope that this review of UEFA’s year will be an invaluable source of information for those interested in discovering ’s competitions showcase the quality of football on this who we are, and what we do. Of course, we are not always perfect continent. Our club competitions captivate fans across the world. – but everything that we do has the love of football at its very core. The final preparations were put in place for an exciting new competition, the UEFA Nations League, which will further reinforce the status of national team football. UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 clearly demonstrated that European women’s football is in rude health. On the world football front, European national teams performed admirably at the FIFA in Russia. Meanwhile, a comprehensive new strategy for futsal is creating a bright and Aleksander Čeferin bold tomorrow for this sector of our sport. UEFA President

6 7 COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS ON 30 JUNE 2018 COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS ON 30 JUNE 2018

Aleksander Čeferin Karl-Erik Nilsson Fernando Gomes Grigoriy Surkis Michele Uva David Gill Zbigniew Boniek Sándor Csányi John Delaney Peter Gilliéron Florence Hardouin

President, First vice-president, Vice-president, Vice-president, Vice-president, Vice-president, Vice-president/ Member, Member, Member, Member, Member, Professional Football HatTrick Committee Club Competitions Governance and National Associations Club Licencing UEFA treasurer, Players’ Status, National Team Youth and Amateur Fair Play and Social Marketing Advisory Strategy Council chairman Committee chairman, Compliance Committee Committee chairman Committee chairman Finance Committee Transfer and Agents and Competitions Committee Football Committee Responsibility Committee Committee chairwoman chairman, FIFA Council member chairman, chairman, Compensation Match Agents Committee chairman, chairman chairman FIFA vice-president FIFA Council member Committee chairman, chairman FIFA vice-president FIFA vice-president Geneva – 13th Extraordinary UEFA Congress Election of Alexey Sorokin (Russia) as a European member of the FIFA Council KEY DECISIONS for a term of office until the electoral UEFA Congress in 2021 Bratislava – 42nd Ordinary UEFA Congress IN 2017/18 BY Ratification of the two representatives of the European Club Association (ECA) Election of Juan Luis Larrea Sarobe (Spain) as a member on the UEFA Executive Committee – Andrea Agnelli and Ivan Gazidis – for a term of the UEFA Executive Committee for a one-year term of office until the electoral UEFA Congress in 2021 THE UEFA CONGRESS until the electoral UEFA Congress in 2019 AND EXECUTIVE – Meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee Election of Sándor Csányi (Hungary) as Appointment of the hosts of the 2019 club competition finals: FIFA vice-president for a one-year term – UEFA Women’s Champions League – 18 May: Ferencváros Stadium, Budapest, Hungary until the electoral UEFA Congress in 2019 COMMITTEE – UEFA Europa League – 29 May: Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan – UEFA Champions League – 1 June: Estadio Metropolitano, , Spain – UEFA Super Cup – 14 August: Beşiktaş Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey Ratification of Lars-Christer Olsson as the representative of the European Leagues (EL) on Appointment of Michele Uva () as a UEFA vice-president the UEFA Executive Committee for a term of office until the electoral UEFA Congress in 2021 Appointment of Fernando Gomes () as a European member of the FIFA Council until the Ordinary UEFA Congress in 2018

Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), now known as the European Leagues (EL)

7 December 25 February 26 February 24 May 2017 2018 2018 2018

20 September Bratislava – Meeting of the UEFA – Meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee 2017 Executive Committee Appointment of the hosts of the 2020 UEFA club Increase of UEFA EURO 2020 prize money by 23% competition finals: (from €301m for EURO 2016 to €371m for EURO 2020) – UEFA Champions League: Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey Approval of the HatTrick V solidarity and development – UEFA Europa League: Arena Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland Nyon – Meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee programme with an increase of almost 30%, from €600m – UEFA Women’s Champions League: Austria Arena, Appointment of the Pabellón Principe Felipe in Zaragoza for HatTrick IV (2016–20) to €775m for HatTrick V (2020–24) Vienna, Austria (Spain) to stage the 2018 UEFA Futsal Cup finals – i.e. up to €14.1m for each association over the four years – UEFA Super Cup: Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal UEFA EURO 2020: Appointment of Fernando Gomes (Portugal) as a Appointment of Georgios Koumas (Cyprus) to replace the – Decision for Wembley Stadium in (England) European member of FIFA Council for a one-year late Costakis Koutsokoumnis (Cyprus) as a European to host four additional matches term until the electoral UEFA Congress in 2019 member of the FIFA Council until the electoral UEFA – Selection of Stadio Olimpico in Rome (Italy) Congress in 2019 as the venue for the opening match Approval of the new edition of the UEFA Club Licensing Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with the and Financial Fair Play Regulations Alliance of European Football Coaches’ Association (AEFCA) Approval of the UEFA EURO 2020 match schedule

Borislav Mihaylov Juan Luis Davor Šuker Michael van Praag Servet Yardımcı Andrea Agnelli Ivan Gazidis Lars-Christer Olsson Evelina Christillin Georgios Koumas Dejan Savićević Alexey Sorokin Larrea Sarobe Member, Member, Member, Member, Member, Member, Member, FIFA Council member FIFA Council member FIFA Council member FIFA Council member Development and Member Football Committee Stadium and Security Media Committee ECA representative ECA representative EL representative Technical Assistance chairman Committee chairman chairman Committee chairman

8 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 9 COMPOSITION OF THE PFSC, GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AS ON 30 JUNE 2018 COMPOSITION OF OTHER COMMITTEES AS ON 30 JUNE 2018

National Associations Committee National Team Competitions Youth and Amateur Football Committee Committee Chairman Grigoriy Surkis (Ukraine) Chairman Sándor Csányi (Hungary) Chairman John Delaney Deputy chairman Fernando Gomes (Portugal) (Republic of Ireland) Deputy chairman Michele Uva (Italy) Deputy chairman Reinhard Grindel (Germany) Deputy chairman Grigoriy Surkis (Ukraine) 1st Vice-chairman Alan McRae () 1st Vice-chairman Greg Clarke (England) 1st Vice-chairman Aivar Pohlak (Estonia) 2nd Vice-chairman Mahmut Özgener (Turkey) 2nd Vice-chairman Hugo Quaderer (Liechtenstein) 2nd Vice-chairman Sergei Roumas (Belarus) 3rd Vice-chairman Martin Glenn (England) 3rd Vice-chairman Levan Kobiashvili (Georgia) 3rd Vice-chairman Armen Minasyan (Armenia) 4th Vice-chairman Tiago Craveiro (Portugal) Members Alaatin Aykac (Turkey) Members Hans-Dieter Drewitz (Germany) Pål Bjerketvedt () Members Angelo Chetcuti (Malta) Mustafa Erögüt (Turkey) Friedrich Curtius (Germany) Ofer Eini (Israel) Alessandro Giaquinto Gijs de Jong () Virgar Hvidbro (Faroe Islands) (San Marino) Hubert Fournier () Slaviša Kokeza (Serbia) Richard Havrilla (Slovakia) Rotem Kamer (Israel) Patrick Nelson Marc Keller (France) Emil Kostadinov (Bulgaria) (Northern Ireland) Christian Kofoed (Denmark) Alfred Ludwig (Austria) Charles Robba (Gibraltar) Yordan Letchkov (Bulgaria) Alex Miescher (Switzerland) Alexey Sorokin (Russia) Trefor Lloyd Hughes (Wales) Alberto Pacchioni (San Marino) Radu Visan (Romania) Paul Lyon (Gibraltar) Maciej Sawicki (Poland) Dimitar Zisovski David Martin (Northern Ireland) Håkan Sjöstrand (Sweden) (FYR Macedonia) Rudolf Marxer (Liechtenstein) Professional Football Governance and Compensation Committee Terje Svendsen (Norway) Marcelino Maté (Spain) Geir Thorsteinsson () Strategy Council Compliance Committee Co-opted Member Noël Le Graët (France) Damir Vrbanović (Croatia) Ludovico Micallef (Malta) Chairman David Gill (England) Savo Milošević (Serbia) Chairman Aleksander Čeferin Chairman Reinhard Grindel (Germany) Members who left this committee during the 2017/18 Vito Roberto Tisci (Italy) Members Herbert Hübel (Austria) season: Kanysh Aubakirov (Kazakhstan), Kaarlo Members who left this committee during the 2017/18 Rudi Zavrl (Slovenia) Members Marco Casagrande (Finland) José Juan Pintó Sala Kankkunen (Finland) season: Jesper Møller Christensen (Denmark), Bert van Representatives of Charles Deguara (Spain – independent member) Oostveen (Netherlands) Meetings: 16 November 2017, 17 April 2018 the UEFA Executive Committee (Malta – independent member) Meetings: 7 September 2017, 17 May 2018 Karl-Erik Nilsson (Sweden) Herbert Hübel (Austria) Consultant Stephan Hostettler Meetings: 6 September 2017, 22 November 2017, Women’s Football Committee Fernando Gomes (Portugal) José Juan Pintó Sala (Switzerland - HCM Finance Committee 3 May 2018 Reinhard Grindel (Germany) (Spain – independent member) International Ltd) Chairwoman Anne Rei (Estonia) Grigoriy Surkis (Ukraine) Chairman David Gill (England) Club Competitions Committee Appointed by the Meetings: 21 September 2017, 25 February 2018 Meetings: 24 August 2017, 23 November 2017, Deputy chairman John Delaney European Club Association 31 January 2018, 26 February 2018, 16 May 2018 Members Sándor Csányi (Hungary) Chairman Fernando Gomes (Portugal) (Republic of Ireland) Nasser Al-Khelaifi (France) Michele Uva (Italy) Josep Maria Bartomeu (Spain) Deputy chairman David Gill (England) 1st Vice-chairwoman Hannelore Ratzeburg Peter Lawwell (Scotland) Meetings: 24 August 2017, 19 September 2017, (Germany) Edward Woodward (England) 24 November 2017, 6 December 2017, Deputy chairman Michael van Praag (Netherlands) 23 January 2018, 25 February 2018, 16 May 2018 2nd Vice-chairman Jasmin Baković Appointed by the European Leagues 1st Vice-chairman Umberto Gandini (Italy) (Bosnia & Herzegovina) Lars-Christer Olsson (Sweden) Referees Committee Sergey Pryadkin (Russia) 2nd Vice-chairman Sofoklis Pilavios (Greece) 3rd Vice-chairwoman Laura McAllister (Wales) Javier Tebas (Spain) Chairman Jacco Swart (Netherlands) (UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer) 3rd Vice-chairman – Members Mette Bach Kjaer (Denmark) Bernadette Constantin (France) Appointed by FIFPro Division Europe Deputy chairman Members Josep Maria Bartomeu (Spain) Sue Hough (England) Bobby Barnes (England) (UEFA Refereeing Officer) Peter Fossen (Netherlands) Monica Jorge (Portugal) Jonas Baer-Hoffmann Michael Gerlinger (Germany) Annelie Larsson (Sweden) (Netherlands) 1st Vice-chairman Marc Batta Peter Lawwell (Scotland) Anne McKeown (Scotland) Mads Øland (Denmark) (UEFA Refereeing Officer) Pedro López Jiménez (Spain) – Nikola Mužiková UEFA Club Competitions SA Board Damiano Tommasi (Italy) (Czech Republic) of Administration 2nd Vice-chairman Vladimir Sajn Camelia Nicolae (Romania) Dariusz Mioduski (Poland) – (UEFA Refereeing Officer) Aleksandra Pejkovska UEFA Club Competitions SA Board Observers (FYR Macedonia) of Administration UEFA Michele Uva (Italy) 3rd Vice-chairwoman Dagmar Damková Francesca Sanzone (Italy) Nikola Prentić (Montenegro) Gudrun Inga Sivertsen (Iceland) FIFA Marco Villiger (Switzerland) (UEFA Refereeing Officer) Aki Riihilahti (Finland) ECA Michele Centenaro (Italy) Marina Tashchyan (Armenia) Vadim Vasilyev (France) Sharon Zeevi (Israel) EL Georg Pangl (Austria) Members David R. Elleray (England) Michael Verschueren (Belgium) – FIFPro Theo van Seggelen (Germany) UEFA Club Competitions SA Board ECA Representatives (Netherlands) José Fontelas Gomes (Portugal) of Administration Linda Wijkström Bo Karlsson (Sweden) Edward Woodward (England) – (Elitfotbol Dam – Sweden) Meetings: 23 January 2018, 16 May 2018 Nikolay Levnikov (Russia) UEFA Club Competitions SA Board Christina Saß Jaap Uilenberg (Netherlands) of Administration (VfL Wolfsburg – Germany) Kyros Vassaras (Greece) Steven Zhang (Italy) ECA Observer Olivier Jarosz Meetings: 6 December 2017, 29 May 2018 EL Representative Didier Quillot (France)

Members who left this committee during the 2017/18 Members who left this committee during the 2017/18 season: Minke Booij (Netherlands) season: Andrea Agnelli (Italy), Nasser Al-Khelaifi (France), Bernhard Heusler (Switzerland) † Marc Lesenfants (Belgium)

Meetings: 24 August 2017, 2 February 2018, Meetings: 6 August 2017, 3 October 2017, 25 May 2018 1 February 2018

10 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 11 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEES AS ON 30 JUNE 2018 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEES AS ON 30 JUNE 2018

Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee Development and Technical Stadium and Security Committee Players’ Status, Transfer and Agents Marketing Advisory Committee Fair Play and Social Responsibility Assistance Committee and Match Agents Committee Committee Chairman Aleksandr Alaev (Russia) Chairman Michael van Praag (Netherlands) Chairwoman Florence Hardouin (France) Chairman Borislav Mihaylov (Bulgaria) Chairman Zbigniew Boniek (Poland) Chairman Peter Gilliéron (Switzerland) Deputy chairman Petr Fousek (Czech Republic) Deputy chairman Servet Yardımcı (Turkey) Deputy chairman Davor Šuker (Croatia) Deputy chairman Zbigniew Boniek (Poland) Deputy chairman Sergey Pryadkin (Russia) Deputy chairman Elkhan Mammadov (Azerbaijan) 1st Vice-chairman Ilir Shulku (Albania) 1st Vice-chairman Elvedin Begić 1st Vice-chairman Guntis Indriksons (Latvia) 1st Vice-chairman Paul Philipp (Luxembourg) (Bosnia & Herzegovina) 1st Vice-chairman Marco Casagrande (Finland) 1st Vice-chairman Norman Darmanin Demajo 2nd Vice-chairman José Venancio López Hierro 2nd Vice-chairman Stewart Regan (Scotland) (Malta) (Spain) 2nd Vice-chairman Jãnis Mežeckis (Latvia) 2nd Vice-chairman David Griffiths (Wales) 2nd Vice-chairman Mario Gallavotti (Italy) 3rd Vice-chairman Razvan Burleanu (Romania) 2nd Vice-chairman Kairat Boranbayev (Kazakhstan) 3rd Vice-chairman Boris Durlen (Croatia) 3rd Vice-chairman Guðni Bergsson (Iceland) 3rd Vice-chairman Markku Lehtola (Finland) 3rd Vice-chairman Henrik Ravnild (Denmark) Members Rinat Akhmetov (Kazakhstan) 3rd Vice-chairman Konstantinos Vrakas (Greece) Members Alexandru Burlac (Moldova) Members Sergey Anokhin (Russia) Members Bert Andersson (Sweden) Members Andy Ambler (England) Mark Bullingham (England) Mustafa Çağlar (Turkey) Dan Ashworth (England) Yuriy Barbash (Ukraine) Oleksandr Bandurko (Ukraine) Jonathan Ford (Wales) Pedro Dias (Portugal) Dušan Bajević Donel Conway Róbert Barczi (Hungary) Atanas Furnadzhiev (Bulgaria) 4th Vice-chairwoman Fiona May (Italy) Zoltán Drucskó (Hungary) (Bosnia & Herzegovina) (Republic of Ireland) Siarhei Ilyich (Belarus) Javid Garayev (Azerbaijan) Philippe Hertig (Switzerland) Karol Belanik (Slovakia) Jean-François Crucke (Belgium) Pavel Kolev (Bulgaria) Kadir Kardaş (Turkey) Members Klara Bjartmarz (Iceland) Gian Luca Angelini Bent Clausen (Denmark) Zoran Cvrk (Croatia) Paulo Lourenço (Portugal) David McDowell (Slovenia) Milovan Djukanović (San Marino) Nemanja Filipović (Serbia) Peter Dedik (Slovakia) Rod Petrie (Scotland) Agnieszka Prachniak (Poland) (Montenegro) Andrea Montemurro (Italy) Ion Geolgau (Romania) Josep Garcia (Andorra) Lukas Pitek (Slovakia) Jaroslav Šišolák (Slovakia) Paul Elliott (England) Ciprian Paraschiv (Romania) Mario Gjurcinovski Cécile Grandsimon (France) Jean-Jacques Schonckert Frances Smith Ekaterina Fedyshina (Russia) Hans Schelling (Netherlands) (FYR Macedonia) Hendrik Grosse Lefert (Luxembourg) (Republic of Ireland) Conrad Kirkwood Sergejus Slyva (Lithuania) Romeo Jozak (Croatia) (Germany) Peter Stadelmann (Switzerland) Denis Solovyev (Russia) (Northern Ireland) Sergii Vladyko (Ukraine) Lars Richt (Sweden) Adrian Ixari (Moldova) Denni Strich (Germany) Edvin Libohova (Albania) Hannu Tihinen (Finland) Georgios Koumas (Cyprus) EL Representative Ansgar Schwenken (Germany) Dušan Svoboda Edgars Pukinsks (Latvia) Meetings: 21 November 2017, 10 February 2018 Chris Van Puyvelde (Belgium) Giovanni Spitaleri (Italy) (Czech Republic) Teresa Romão (Portugal) Fríðin Ziskason (Faroe Islands) Raimondas Statkevičius Meeting: 20 November 2017 Charles Schaack (Luxembourg) HatTrick Committee (Lithuania) Meetings: 23 November 2017, 12 April 2018 Gaston Schreurs (Belgium) Member who left this committee Ivica Tončev (Serbia) Legal Committee Stefanie Schulte (Germany) Chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson (Sweden) during the 2017/18 season: Ronen Herscho (Israel) Media Committee Phivos Vakis (Cyprus) EL Representative Claus Thomsen (Denmark) Chairman Jesper Møller Christensen Deputy chairman Armand Duka (Albania) Meeting: 16 October 2017 (Denmark) Chairman Servet Yardımcı (Turkey) Johan van Geijn (Netherlands) Meetings: 21 November 2017, 24 April 2018 1st Vice-chairman – Club Licensing Committee Deputy chairman Peter Gilliéron (Switzerland) Deputy chairwoman Florence Hardouin (France) EL Representative Jacco Swart (Netherlands) Medical Committee 2nd Vice-chairman Leo Windtner (Austria) Chairman Michele Uva (Italy) 1st Vice-chairman Christian Andreasen 1st Vice-chairman Nicolai Cebotari (Moldova) Meetings: 23 November 2017, 20 April 2018 Chairman Michel D’Hooghe (Belgium) (Faroe Islands) 3th Vice-chairman Michail Kassabov (Bulgaria) Deputy chairman Michael van Praag 2nd Vice-chairman Momir Djurdjevac (Montenegro) Football Committee (Netherlands) Deputy chairman Tim Meyer (Germany) 2nd Vice-chairman Andrii Pavelko (Ukraine) Members Tom Borgions (Belgium) 3rd Vice-chairman Onofre Costa (Portugal) Chairman Davor Šuker (Croatia) Eamon Breen 1st Vice-chairwoman Ivančica Sudac (Croatia) 1st Vice-chairwoman Helena Herrero (Spain) 3rd Vice-chairman Herbert Hübel (Austria) (Republic of Ireland) Members Janusz Basałaj (Poland) Deputy chairman Borislav Mihaylov (Bulgaria) Mette Christiansen (Norway) 2nd Vice-chairman Thomas Christensen (Denmark) 2nd Vice-chairman José Henrique Da Costa Jones Members Efraim Barak (Israel) Matej Damjanović Niccolò Donna (Italy) (Portugal) Mark Boetekees (Netherlands) (Bosnia & Herzegovina) 1st Vice-chairman Pavel Cebanu (Moldova) Peter Frymuth (Germany) 3rd Vice-chairman Yuriy Zapisotskiy (Ukraine) Artan Hajdari (Albania) Márton Dinnyés (Hungary) Sylvain Grimault (France) 3rd Vice-chairman Zoran Bahtijarević (Croatia) Vladimir Iveta (Croatia) Nerijus Dunauskas (Lithuania) 2nd Vice-chairman Dejan Savićević (Montenegro) Neil Jardine (Northern Ireland) Members Roman Babaev (Russia) Ainar Leppänen (Estonia) Otar Giorgadze (Georgia) Kaarlo Kankkunen (Finland) Bjarne Berntsen (Norway) Members Bisser Bochev (Bulgaria) Krzysztof Malinowski (Poland) Philipp Patsch (Liechtenstein) 3rd Vice-chairman – Jozef Kliment (Slovakia) Ludvik Georgsson (Iceland) Charlotte Cowie (England) Ramish Maliyev (Azerbaijan) Heather Rabbatts (England) Vadym Kostiuchenko (Ukraine) Hilmi Sinan Güreli (Turkey) Mete Düren (Turkey) Krister Malmsten (Sweden) Tomaž Ranc (Slovenia) Miroslaw Malinowski (Poland) Jacques Lagnier (France) Andrea Ferretti (Italy) Andrew McKinlay (Scotland) Stilian Shishkov (Bulgaria) 4th Vice-chairman Luís Figo (Portugal) Aisultan Nazarbayev Siniša Mitrović (Slovenia) Magnus Forssblad (Sweden) Luca Miranda (Italy) Alexandros Spyropoulos (Kazakhstan) José Miguel Monje Carrillo Georgios Godolias (Greece) Borislav Popov (Bulgaria) (Greece) Members Demetrio Albertini (Italy) Filip Popovski (FYR Macedonia) (Spain) John MacLean (Scotland) Eroll Salihu () Matt Crocker (England) Siarhei Safaryan (Belarus) Eamon Naughton Juan Carlos Miralles (Andorra) Daniel Spreutels (Belgium) Member who left this committee during the 2017/18 Ilcho Gjorgjioski Andreu Subies I Forcada (Spain) (Republic of Ireland) Emmanuel Orhant (France) Saša Zagorc (Slovenia) season: Antonios Karpetopoulos (Greece) (FYR Macedonia) Márton Vági (Hungary) Nick Nicolaou (Cyprus) Zsolt Szelid (Hungary) Horst Hrubesch (Germany) Cengiz Zülfikaroğlu (Turkey) Kieran O’Connor (Wales) EL Representative Claudius Schäfer (Switzerland) Meeting: 25 January 2018 Anghel Iordanescu (Romania) Kurt Zuppinger (Switzerland) Peter Peters (Germany) Meetings: 15 November 2017, 2 May 2018 Muhamed Konjić Nenad Santrač (Serbia) Member who left this committee during the 2017/18 (Bosnia & Herzegovina) † Pertti Alaja (Finland) Heinrich Schifferle (Switzerland) season: François de Keersmaecker (Belgium) Stefan Majewski (Poland) † Costakis Koutsokoumnis (Cyprus) Johan Timmermans (Belgium) David Mujiri (Georgia) Amirzhan Tussupbekov Meeting: 27 November 2017 Tibor Nyilasi (Hungary) Meetings: 17 November 2017, 19 April 2018 (Kazakhstan) Fernando Ruiz Hierro (Spain) Vojtek (Slovakia) Alexey Smertin (Russia) Łukasz Wachowski (Poland)

EL Representative Marco Brunelli (Italy) EL Representative Pedro Proença (Portugal)

Meetings: 16 November 2017, 16 April 2018 Special Advisor Pierluigi Collina (UEFA Chief Refereeing Officer)

† Fadil Vokrri (Kosovo) † Goran Bunjevčević (Serbia)

Meeting: 12 February 2018

12 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 13 16 National team competitions PLAYING 20 Club competitions 24 Women’s THE GAME competitions 28 Youth and amateur competitions

30 Futsal competitions

32 The game and its laws

33 Football operations PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

NATIONAL TEAM COMPETITIONS NEW COMPETITION TAKES SHAPE

The 2017/18 season was another busy year for UEFA on the national team competition stage, with both brand-new and long-running competitions to organise, as well as the culmination of the European Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Preparations for the inaugural out about the revamped European UEFA Nations League continued in Qualifiers and the centralisation earnest in September 2017, with of international friendlies. UEFA’s National Team Competitions Committee approving the competition The draw for the Nations League took regulations, including new rules for the place in in January 2018. rescheduling of matches, and a detailed Europe’s 55 national teams were breakdown of the draw and fixture divided into four leagues – with 12 list procedures. teams in League A, 12 in League B, 15 in League C and 16 in League D – on Details of those key decisions the basis of their national association were then presented at a workshop coefficient rankings, with each league in Geneva in October 2017, giving made up of four groups of three or UEFA’s member associations the four teams. opportunity to familiarise themselves with the structure of the new The winners of the four groups in competition, as well as finding League A will progress to a final round

138 matches to be played over 6 MATCHDAYS from September to November 2018

16 17 PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

preparations for EURO 2020, particularly as regards the team base camps and the reassignment of certain tournament matches from Brussels to London.

Looking beyond EURO 2020, the UEFA administration also began evaluating the bid dossiers submitted by the German Football Association (DFB) and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) ahead of the final decision by the UEFA Executive Committee on the hosting of EURO 2024.

Last but not least, the National Team Competitions Committee looked back Other key elements recommended by the at the final round of the 2015–17 UEFA National Team Competitions in 2017/18 European Under-21 Championship, held in for approval by the Executive Committee Poland, and evaluated preparations for the included the EURO 2020 match schedule, final round of the 2017–19 competition, and the draw and fixture list procedures for to be hosted by Italy and San Marino. Plans the European Qualifiers. The committee was to change the format and age category also given an update on operational for future competitions were also discussed. 270 group matches and 8 play-off matches successfully delivered in the European Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

in June 2019, which will determine the very In March 2018, the Italian, Polish and as well as careful monitoring of European first winners of the Nations League. Portuguese national associations then Qualifiers group matches and play-offs. expressed an interest in hosting the Nations Since the format of the Nations League is However, there will also be plenty to play League finals in June 2019. closely linked to the European Qualifiers for in other leagues. While teams will be for EURO 2020, the National Team fighting to avoid relegation to a lower The following month, match managers Competitions Committee’s league for the following edition of the from all 55 member associations were recommendation for approval of the format competition, group winners will not only invited to a workshop in Geneva in order for the EURO 2020 play-offs – bringing the gain promotion to the league above, they to plan and prepare for the new 2018–21 Nations League into line with the EURO – 178 will also get another opportunity to qualify cycle, starting with the Nations League represented an important step in the qualifying matches for UEFA EURO 2020 through the European fixtures in 2018. organisation of both competitions. played in 2017/18 Qualifiers play-offs. While those Nations League preparations Indeed, each league will have its own offered a glimpse of an exciting new future “National team football qualification path, with the four group for international football in Europe, the is a great source of pride winners competing in single-leg semi-finals workshop was also an opportunity to and identity. The UEFA and a single-leg final for a place at reflect on the successful completion of EURO 2020. the European Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA Nations League meets our World Cup. associations’ wishes, and “In every even year we have World Cup or will bring an exciting new EURO champions; now, in every odd year The successful delivery of that qualifying dimension to the game.” we will have Nations League champions,” competition was made possible by a lot of said the UEFA president, Aleksander hard work behind the scenes, including a Theodore Theodoridis Čeferin. workshop for match managers in July 2017, UEFA General Secretary

18 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 19 PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

CLUB COMPETITIONS As it embarks on a new three-year use during extra time in knockout kick-off times of 18.55 CET. The club competition cycle, UEFA can look matches, as well as a loosening of Europa League matches until the back on a job well done over the restrictions on matchday squads for round of 16 will kick off at 18.55 or last 12 months, having introduced the finals of all three competitions 21.00 CET, while the quarter-finals, CLUB FOOTBALL GOES a raft of new measures aimed at (with 23 players now allowed to semi-finals and final will start at ensuring the continued success of be named, compared with 18 for 21.00. The Super Cup will continue its flagship competitions. all other matches). to kick off at 21.00 CET.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH In February 2018, the UEFA Executive Revised kick-off times for the UEFA’s Club Competitions Committee Committee met in Bratislava to Champions League were also met several times in the course of approve the implementation of announced, with nearly all games the year, discussing and agreeing From memorable matches and record revenues in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League to the new wide-ranging regulations – from the play-offs right through on a number of proposals, including remarkable success of the UEFA Youth League, the omens are good for UEFA as it enters a new three-year cycle. governing the UEFA Champions to the final – now starting at 21.00 ideas relating to club coefficient League, the UEFA Europa League CET. The only exception is the group points, draw principles for qualifying and the UEFA Super Cup. Changes stage, with four matches each week rounds, the seeding of the Europa to those regulations included the – two on Tuesday and two on League titleholders and player introduction of a fourth substitute for Wednesday – being allocated earlier registrations.

20 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 21

22 Foundation for Children initiative. aUEFA of part as language sign using asong performing school alocal from youngsters impaired hearing- featured which ceremony, opening the for time in stadium the to Vardar river the along a stroll taking before match, the of ahead zone fan Square Macedonia the in sunshine summer late the in basked footballtwo heavyweights. between clash the for up turning 30,421 of crowd asell-out with imagination, the captured certainly fixture the and time, first the for country their in final a European watch to opportunity the locals gave match That Macedonian. II Filip Arena 2-1 National ’s at FC United Manchester beating Cup, UEFA Super the retain to 1990 in Milan AC since club first the became 2017, CF August In Madrid Real Locals and visiting supporters supporters visiting and Locals Real reign again in Skopje in again reign Real OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS REAL MADRID CF 2017/18 club competition winners 2017/18 competition club CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID DE ATLÉTICO CLUB respectively, the Club Competitions Club the Competitions respectively, in place and Lyon Kyiv took which finals, League Europa and League Champions 2018 for the preparations of operational abreast to keeping in addition Meanwhile, payments. aside for solidarity €237.5m set afurther being with costs, organisational competitions’ two the cover to ring-fenced been has €295m addition, In respectively. of that €1.95bn €560m and to receive forecast are onwards stage group the from League Europa the and League Champions inthe competing clubs and €3.25bn, to total expected is season 2018/19 for the revenue commercial Gross to Europe’s clubs. spoils the of share greater even an to give promising 2018–21 for the system cycle, distribution financial anew approved also Committee in finals 2018 the – Club Competitions League Europa and League Champions as emphasised by the hugelysuccessful – health inrude is football club European that sign inaclear time, At same the €124.37m. totalled clubs top-flight European at development youth supporting payments solidarity Meanwhile, of €423.1m. atotal shared andLeague group knockout stage rounds Europa inthe competed that clubs 56 the while them, €1.396bn than between more sharing participants play-off and stage group League Champions with season, 2016/17 for the of revenues redistribution the on off signed also committee The REAL MADRID CF

Champions League and Europa League. League. Europa and League Champions Youth to the the from graduating League of players number inthe increase a further was there seasons, inprevious seen trend Youth Continuing positive the League. UEFA the of edition fifth the was season 2017/18 inthe success major Another year. of the course inthe group working of that progress the on updates regular given was Committee Club Competitions The League. Europa the on focus 2021–24 aparticular with cycle, of the format the at looking group working new of a launch the as well as finals, 2020 for the competition club process bidding the on updates also were There final. League Europa the to host right the earning Stadium Olympic Baku’s and final League Champions the awarded being Metropolitano Estadio 2019 for the Madrid’s process with finals, bidding the concluded also Committee Europa League League orthe the Champions competed in graduates have 343 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT |2017/18 REPORT ANNUAL UEFA 2003–06 *Projection

593.8 10.7 €m/season 2006–09 51.3

818 REVENUE EVOLUTION 2009–12 well for the future. for the well very bodes fans, which among popularity Youth the highlighted growing League’s – competition for ayouth turnout impressive –ahugely CF play-offs inthe Madrid Real take on Krasnodar FC watched of 32,150 crowd sell-out enormous who the Meanwhile, season. of the course the of 167 atotal over matches contesting 2017/18 clubs Youth 64 with League, in the part took associations 43 member either. Arecord players to the down solely not is trajectory upward competition’s The senior competitions. biggest two football’s club in European mark their made have now graduates Youth of 343 atotal League Indeed, 1,144.2 240.5 2012–15 241.7 1,388.8 2015–18 347.5 2,007.7 2018–21*

3.25bn (UCL + UEL + finals) career and services to football. to services and career exceptional his of Totti recognition in Francesco star Roma AS and Italy to went which Award, President’s 2017 the UEFA present to hand on was Čeferin, Aleksander UEFA president, the Finally, award. Season the of Player 2016/17 League the up Europa picked Pogba Paul FC’s United Manchester while campaign, 2017 EURO UEFA Women’s triumphant nation’s host the during Netherlands the for performances stopping show- her of recognition in Martens Lieke to went ). (Best Modrić Luka and Defender) (Best Ramos Sergio Madrid’s Real and Goalkeeper) (Best Juventus of Buffon Gianluigi by joined being award, League 2016/17the Champions Cardiff. in final the in Juventus over victory 4-1 Madrid’s Real during came which of –two 12 strikes with charts goalscoring the topped having title, League Champions successive second historic side’s Spanish the in played he that role central the for award men’s the ceremony. Year the of awards Player Women’s 2017, August in 2016/17 the to and UEFA Men’s host, played also Monaco in Forum Grimaldi the draws, stage group League UEFA Europa and League Champions 2017/18 the for UEFA setting the being as well As The 2016/17 Women’s Player of the Year the of award 2016/17 Player The Women’s of Forward Best inaugural the won also Ronaldo up picked Ronaldo Cristiano forward Madrid Real Crowning the season’s best players best season’s the Crowning PLAYING THE GAME 23 PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

WOMEN’S COMPETITIONS RECORD-BREAKING EURO POINTS TO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

The 2017/18 season was a year of great progress for women’s football in Europe, both on and off the pitch, from a historic UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 in the Netherlands to a series of groundbreaking projects, events and initiatives across the continent.

“We need to change attitudes about Shaping the future women’s football and give women of all ages more encouragement and opportunities to play. The women’s In addition to the important work UEFA could make improvements, game has so much potential.” carried out by the Women’s Football covering a wide range of issues, Committee, a number of other including competition matters, Those were the words of the UEFA meetings and events over the course promotional activities and coach president, Aleksander Čeferin, at the of the year also sought to contribute education. In a similar vein, the launch of the Together #WePlayStrong to the discussion as regards how internal women’s football strategy initiative prior to 2017’s season-ending best to promote the growth of the workshop, held in Nyon in February UEFA Women’s Champions League final women’s game. For example, the 2018, invited staff from across UEFA in Cardiff. UEFA women’s football round table to help shape the future of European in Kyiv after the 2018 UEFA Women’s women’s football. Participants If the organisation and delivery of UEFA’s Champions League final involved worked together with a view to elite competitions in the 2017/18 season former and current female players, understanding the current situation, are anything to go by, the signs are coaches and referees reflecting providing creative ideas and certainly promising. Indeed, the women’s on the present and future of suggesting areas for UEFA to focus game made great strides in 2017/18, women’s football. Those participants on, in order to ensure that women’s particularly at UEFA Women’s EURO 2017, suggested a variety of areas where football continues to develop. where hosts the Netherlands put on a record-breaking show to secure their first major international title on home soil, capturing the imagination of football fans across the continent in the process.

Held across seven cities in July and UEFA Women’s August 2017, that tournament was EURO 2017 a seminal moment for European audience figures women’s football – the first time in the competition’s history that 16 teams had Deventer contested the final round. What is more, 165m 80 countries Utrecht Enschede five of those teams were making their Total TV audience Final broadcast Rotterdam Doetinchem tournament debuts, highlighting the Breda growing competitiveness of the women’s Tilburg game. Meanwhile, the fans turned out in droves, with an aggregate total of 5.6m 240,055 spectators, exceeding the people viewed content on Facebook and Instagram, including highlights and clips of goals previous record set at Women’s EURO 2013 in Sweden.

24 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 25 PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

Women’s game keeps on growing “It really gives you a massive boost,” the smaller nations were actually closing explained , scorer of the gap, so Women’s EURO 2021 looks two goals in the Netherlands’ 4-2 win set to be more competitive than ever. In 2017/18 – a year that saw the over Denmark in the final. “They helped biggest ever UEFA Women’s EURO throughout the tournament. You can feel With that in mind, the committee agreed in the Netherlands – a new UEFA it. Everywhere you look, you see orange, to recommend changing the format of the report revealed strong growth and they cheer whenever we’ve got qualifying phase for the next edition of the in the popularity of women’s the ball.” competition, so that all teams take part football in Europe. That report, in the group stage, instead of having a entitled ‘Women’s football across It was not just in the stands that the preliminary qualifying round for certain the national associations 2017’ fans were making their interest known. teams involving mini-tournaments. and based on data provided by all A cumulative live audience of 165m viewers 55 UEFA member associations in across 154 territories worldwide served Meanwhile, in the club game, Olympique a yearly women’s football survey, as proof of the ever-increasing appeal Lyonnais made history in 2017/18 by found that the number of registered of women’s football. becoming the first side to win the Women’s female players had risen by 7.5% in Champions League three years in a row, 2017 relative to 2016. The number Moreover, while there were some overcoming VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 after of qualified coaches and match concerns ahead of the tournament that extra time in the final in Kyiv. The French officials also rose, while the number the expanded format would lead to a side have now won five titles in total – of women’s youth teams was 14,000 decline in competitiveness, an assessment another record. higher than the equivalent figure for by UEFA’s Women’s Football Committee 2013. “This report is excellent proof showed that this could not have been Recognising the extent to which women’s of the progress we are making, and further from the truth. Indeed, a technical football’s most prestigious club competition this data justifies all the efforts that review of the tournament indicated that has grown over the years, the Women’s are being made to communicate the greatness of women’s football across our national associations and around Football Committee decided in 2017/18 system) with a view to increasing the world,” said Nadine Kessler, that the finals of the men’s and women’s the competitiveness of the Women’s head of women’s football at UEFA. Together #WePlayStrong campaign enjoys successful debut year Champions Leagues could take place Champions League, and raising in different cities from 2019 onwards. the level of interest among the Accordingly, it awarded the 2019 various stakeholders. GROWTH Launched in June 2017, the Together media channels, working closely with Women’s Champions League final to OF THE WOMEN’S GAME #WePlayStrong campaign champions national associations and boosting Budapest, and decided that the 2020 final The committee also backed the UEFA the benefits of women and girls taking investment in the women’s game. would take place at Viola Park in Vienna. administration’s plans to look at Six countries with more up football – particularly teenage girls, The campaign helped to boost UEFA’s introducing specific licensing criteria for than 100,000 female players who suffer from high drop-out rates social audience for women’s football “The potential for women’s football is clubs entering the Women’s Champions owing to self-esteem issues and societal competitions, which rose to 5.2m limitless, and it was with this in mind League, with the aim of improving the England The Netherlands pressure. This initiative performed in the course of that year. It also that we decided to separate the two UEFA quality of both the competition itself impressively in its first year, engaging engaged with more than 5m teenage Champions League events,” said Anne and domestic women’s leagues. France Norway with girls through digital and social girls, and its videos were viewed more Percentage of Rei, chairwoman of the Women’s Football Germany Sweden than 15m times, being universally people regarding Committee. “That will give the women’s What is more, the committee acclaimed by both traditional and women’s football game a platform of its own, helping it unanimously approved the proposal to social media outlets, as well as by as ‘cool’ to continue to grow and become an pay bonuses to all clubs involved in the Number of registered female players stakeholders. In addition, a series unmissable event and a television knockout rounds and freeze the amounts 2016 1.27m of partnerships and content packages spectacle in its own right.” paid to the two finalists, in order to 2017 1.365m drove further engagement with the safeguard the competitive balance an increase of 7.5% in a single year campaign. For example, the Press Play Despite the success of the 2017/18 of the competition. vlogs gave girls an insight into the Women’s Champions League, UEFA is Number of qualified female coaches daily lives of four professional players, determined to find further room for On a related note, the UEFA Coach 2016 17,533 averaging more than 200,000 views a improvement. With this in mind, Development Project for Women, which week on YouTube, while the Rita Ora the Women’s Football Committee was launched in 2016 with a view to 2017 19,474 Girls Tour sponsorship initiative saw recommended in 2017/18 that the boosting the number of qualified female an 11% increase in a single year 12% 25% the pop star lend her support to women’s football unit conduct a coaches involved in the game, also made Number of qualified female match officials the campaign, reaching more than comprehensive review of the competition a significant contribution in 2017/18 by 2m girls. 2017 2018 (which will include an examination of offering scholarships for UEFA A and Pro 2013 7,505 possible changes to the format, the diploma courses, and supporting UEFA B 2017 12,785 access list and the coefficient calculation and C diploma courses. a 70% increase in four years

26 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 27 PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

YOUTH AND AMATEUR COMPETITIONS UEFA European Under-17 Championship England, 4–20 May 2018 YOUTH FOOTBALL 1m 6m TV audience live minutes for the final watched on ENTERS UNCHARTED UEFA.tv 9,000+ 340,000+ hotel room nights interactions via UEFA.com social 5.5m media pages during tournament TERRITORY cumulative TV audience

In the 2017/18 season, UEFA’s Under-17 and Under-19 competitions gave several national associations the Netherlands, who secured a record- Women’s Under-17 Championship was avenging defeats against the same chance to host a final tournament for the first time, equalling third title by beating Italy 4-1 taking place in Lithuania. Not only was opposition in the previous two finals. with Spain achieving considerable success on the on penalties in the final (following a 2-2 the Baltic nation staging a UEFA women’s Meanwhile, with that final tournament women’s side. draw in normal time). A TV audience of 1m tournament for the first time, Lithuania doubling up as a qualifying competition for tuned in for the final, and a total of 996 were also the first hosts to benefit from the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in youth programme participants assisted the UEFA legacy programme, with the Uruguay, Finland joined the two finalists in with the organisation of the tournament. Lithuanian team’s coaching staff receiving securing their place at the tournament two years of mentoring prior to the start of – the first time they had ever qualified – While the men’s Under-17 teams were the tournament. Spain ultimately prevailed, after defeating England in a play-off. fighting it out in England, the final securing their fourth title overall, with their tournament of the UEFA European 2-0 victory over Germany in the final Over in UEFA’s amateur football competition, the 11th UEFA Regions’ Cup kicked off in June 2018, with teams from 39 member associations taking part in the preliminary and intermediate rounds. Recognising excellence in youth football Meanwhile, UEFA’s Youth and Amateur 25,154 England was awarded the Football Committee proposed a number attended Georgia’s Maurice Burlaz Trophy in 2017/18 of important changes to the 2018/19 final group game In the 2017/18 season, UEFA’s four annual The following month, Northern as the best-performing national competition regulations. For example, it against the Under-17 and Under-19 tournaments visited Ireland organised its first UEFA women’s association in UEFA’s men’s youth proposed increasing the maximum number Czech Republic the peripheries of the continent, starting tournament, playing host to the final competitions. From 2021, the of substitutions to five per team in youth with the final tournament of the UEFA tournament of the UEFA European trophy will be awarded according competitions, with teams limited to a total European Under-19 Championship, which Women’s Under-19 Championship. to a different format, after a of three stoppages in play for substitutions took place in July 2017 in Georgia. This Spain were crowned champions, beating series of proposed changes were (four if the match goes to extra time). was, in many ways, a tournament of firsts France 3-2 in the final to end a run of three approved by UEFA’s Youth and It also proposed increasing the duration – the first time that the eastern European consecutive defeats in the final of the Amateur Football Committee of matches at Under-17 level to 90 minutes UEFA youth country had hosted a UEFA tournament, competition. That final tournament also in 2017/18. (up from 80 minutes at present). competition winners the first time that Sweden had qualified served as a qualifying competition for the In order to better reflect the achievements of UEFA for the final tournament, and the first 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with member associations at youth level and to align the award ENGLAND SPAIN time that the new David Petriashvili Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and ceremony with other high-profile UEFA events, the trophy Stadium in Tbilisi had been used. England all joining hosts France in will now be awarded every four years, at the end of each progressing to the World Cup. UEFA EURO cycle, rather than every two years. The locals certainly took the tournament Moreover, in addition to the existing trophy, a second to their hearts, with an impressive crowd The next event on UEFA’s youth football prize will now also be awarded, being presented to the of 25,154 turning out for the hosts’ final calendar – the final tournament of the association that has made the most progress over the group game against the Czech Republic. UEFA European Under-17 Championship course of the EURO cycle. Both winning associations However, it was the English fans who – was just a short distance away, across the will also receive a one-off financial contribution, to were cheering loudest by the end of the Irish Sea in England. That tournament, be invested in youth football projects. The committee tournament, as England won all five of which took place from 4 to 20 May 2018, suggested that these changes be implemented in time their games – including a 2-1 victory over with matches played at six venues across for the UEFA Congress in spring 2021 and that a similar Portugal in the final – to lift the trophy the Midlands and South , was a concept be introduced for women. NETHERLANDS SPAIN for the first time. huge success – particularly for the

28 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 29 Online and TV PLAYING THE GAME viewing figures for PLAYING THE GAME Futsal EURO 2018

FUTSAL COMPETITIONS

FUTSAL’S GRAND New futsal competitions 1.3m AMBITIONS views on UEFA.tv in the The rebranding of announced at its April 2017 meeting course of the tournament the UEFA Futsal Cup that an inaugural UEFA European as the UEFA Futsal Under-19 Futsal Championship would take Champions League place in the 2018/19 season. Again, an from 2018/19 was impressive 35 nations expressed a desire The success of UEFA Futsal EURO 2018 in Slovenia, 30.4m Cumulative TV audience just one of several to participate in that first competition. coupled with exciting expansion and rebranding for the entire tournament exciting changes to Finally, UEFA was also involved in plans for various other competitions, points to UEFA’s futsal strategy the organisation of the first European a bright future for futsal in Europe. in 2017/18. Following qualifying competition for the futsal the UEFA Executive Committee’s element of the 2018 Youth Olympic announcement in April 2017 that it Games in , which was would be creating a brand-new UEFA contested by the 16 top-ranked Under-17 European Women’s Futsal Championship boys’ teams and the eight top-ranked – a decision that will give a major boost Under-17 girls’ teams (on the basis of 1.4m to the women’s game – no fewer than 23 coefficient rankings). visits to UEFA.com’s Futsal EURO section – up 14% nations expressed a desire to participate With futsal now being played on Futsal EURO 2016 in the first edition in 2018/19, with a domestically in 53 of the 55 UEFA member final tournament set to take place in associations, and the sport’s elite clubs February 2019. enjoying full professional status, with 10m UEFA’s plans for futsal do not end budgets totalling €6m in some instances, video views across UEFA’s there, either. In a clear sign of its it is only a matter of time before further social media channels commitment to nurturing the youth competitions are added to UEFA’s game, the Executive Committee also burgeoning futsal schedule.

While football continued to grow in second successive Futsal EURO With that in mind, the UEFA Futsal and In addition to a meeting of the Futsal popularity in 2017/18, the same could where total attendance figures had Beach Soccer Committee decided to and Beach Soccer Committee during also be said of its indoor cousin. exceeded 100,000. expand the Futsal EURO to 16 teams from Futsal EURO 2018, a special two-day This was largely attributable to the 2022, and to stage it every four years workshop for FIFA confederations also enormous success of UEFA Futsal An effective ticketing strategy played (aligned with the FIFA Futsal World Cup). took place in Ljubljana to discuss the EURO 2018, which was held in the an important part in ensuring that seats This represents the logical next step in the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game. Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, for the were occupied from the first game sport’s growth in Europe. first time. to the last. That strategy included Another important development that affordable tickets costing just €5 and €7 The committee also proposed a number came out of the committee’s meetings In a thrilling all-Iberian final, in two categories, a decision to allow of improvements to the European in 2017/18 was the proposal to rebrand Portugal prevailed over their Spanish ticket holders to watch both games on qualifying competition for the 2020 FIFA the UEFA Futsal Cup as the UEFA Futsal neighbours, winning 3-2 after extra the matchday in question and an offer Futsal World Cup, as well as examining Champions League as of the 2018/19 time at Arena Stožice. A near-capacity of promotional tickets for local children. the format of the qualifying competition season. This was motivated by a desire crowd of 10,352 witnessed the for Futsal EURO 2020, in order to identify to raise the competition’s profile and Portuguese lifting the trophy for the TV and online viewing figures better solutions to the various issues that boost its marketability. first time, showing just how much also made for impressive reading. arise from such a lengthy qualification local fans took the tournament to The cumulative TV audience for the process (including additional mini- In the 2017/18 edition of the their hearts over the ten days of tournament totalled 30.4m, while tournament stages, and potentially competition – the last under its old competition. An aggregate total of the Futsal EURO section of UEFA.com a home-and-away format or a league guise – Madrid-based Inter FS proved 101,934 spectators turned up to welcomed 1.4m visitors over that period system). Final decisions on those too strong for Sporting CP of Portugal, watch the 20 matches, at an average – a 14% increase relative to UEFA Futsal matters are due to be taken during prevailing 5-2 in the final to lift the of 5,097 per match, making it the EURO 2016. the 2018/19 season. UEFA Futsal Cup for the fifth time.

30 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 31 PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

THE GAME AND ITS LAWS FOOTBALL OPERATIONS AN ERA OF CHANGE MAINTAINING

The decision to restructure the organisation of refereeing at UEFA has resulted in greater clarity and consistency in all areas. HIGH STANDARDS UEFA’s delegates and venue directors have central roles in delivering the game. To facilitate the continuous development of Change is afoot in the area of refereeing, Steps have also been taken to modernise their knowledge and skills in the area of match operations, a with UEFA’s refereeing services unit taking the administration of match appointments, number of workshops and seminars were organised in 2017/18. full operational control of the Centre of with a more efficient automated system Refereeing Excellence (CORE), freeing senior being put in place. course leaders from responsibility for the With more than 2,000 matches taking Tel Aviv, Chisinau, Ljubljana, Tallinn and overall administration and management of In the 2017/18 season, UEFA’s annual summer place under UEFA’s jurisdiction every Belfast) with a view to maintaining the high courses. This means that course leaders are and winter refereeing courses – held in Nyon season, the work carried out by UEFA standards that have come to be expected now responsible only for the delivery of and Malta respectively – again put Europe’s top delegates is vital to the orderly running of of delegates. The 236 attendees were courses on the ground. officials through their paces. Meanwhile, a fixtures in UEFA’s various club and national given updates on competition matters workshop in November 2017 in host country team competitions. Delegates are and regulations, as well as training on In addition, over the course of two meetings Slovenia ahead of UEFA Futsal EURO 2018 helped experienced individuals nominated by how to manage challenging situations. at which 100 UEFA venue directors joined in November 2017 and February 2018, to prepare the 30 futsal referees involved in the the national associations. Their role is to A more detailed support and mentoring other venue team members in order to UEFA’s refereeing officers also resolved to tournament, with a focus on fitness assessments supervise the organisation of matches, programme was also unveiled. share knowledge, develop skills and receive restructure the administration of CORE and practical and theoretical training. ensuring compliance with the various updates on changes to regulations. In courses. Consequently, a different senior regulations, with a particular focus on The venue directors work closely with addition, UEFA announced the publication course leader now oversees each course, It was also a busy year for women’s refereeing safety and security matters. Their reports clubs, assisting with the implementation of pitch management guidelines and the instead of a single individual taking charge officer Dagmar Damková, who worked closely form the basis for any subsequent of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA monitoring of all UEFA club and national of all four courses in a given year. with staff and fellow refereeing officers on disciplinary proceedings. Seminars were Europa League. To mark the start of the team competition games, with the aim of appointments and courses. This work also included organised across Europe in 2017/18 (with 2017/18 club competition season, a special improving pitch management at all levels This, combined with the work of the the supervision of final preparations of 34 female events taking place in Helsinki, Munich, workshop was organised in Geneva, of the game. refereeing officers and the Referees referees, assistant referees and fourth officials to Committee’s decision to align CORE’s oversee matches at UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 educational materials with those used for in the Netherlands, as well as, among others, all of UEFA’s other refereeing courses, the organisation of a workshop for 21 young Football relations – ambassador programme will enable UEFA to adopt a more uniform female referees in preparation for possible At its meeting in February 2018, approach to the delivery of training participation at UEFA Women’s UEFA’s ambassador programme seeks to strengthen relationships with former stars of the UEFA’s Football Committee to referees. EURO 2021. game, providing a platform for players and coaches that want to give something back to was updated on both national the sport and stay involved after their careers have come to an end. Those ambassadorial team and club competitions, activities can broadly be divided into the following three categories: promotional activities particularly as regards UEFA (trophy tours, UEFA Champions Festival and social media), football development (grassroots Champions League and UEFA events, coaching programmes and youth education) and charitable activities (UEFA Europa League rule changes New season, new laws Foundation for Children events, Match for Solidarity and corporate messaging). for the 2018–21 cycle. The establishment of a network of The Football Committee was On the field of play, a number of changes to the Laws In addition, the Executive Committee also increased the ambassadors allows UEFA to use those also given a presentation on of the Game were ratified by the International Football maximum number of substitutions per team to five in UEFA’s football assets to spread its messages, video assistant referees (VARs). Association Board (IFAB) as regards substitutions. youth competitions (i.e. the UEFA Youth League, the UEFA promote its activities and develop a bond The committee acknowledged Consequently, the UEFA Executive Committee decided European Under-17 Championship, the UEFA European with football fans around the world. the potential advantages of that, from the 2018/19 season, an additional fourth Under-19 Championship, the UEFA European Women’s In addition to those various VARs, provided that proper substitute would be permitted during extra time in the Under-17 Championship and the UEFA European Women’s ambassadorial activities in the course of guidelines and protocols were UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the Under-19 Championship), with each team allowed a maximum the season, an inaugural ambassador round in place, before discussing UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, of three stoppages in play to make changes in normal time. If table was held in Nyon in August 2017. the issue of playing time the UEFA European Football Championship, the UEFA a match goes to extra time, each team is allowed a maximum The event was attended by a number and the recent rule change European Women’s Championship, the UEFA Nations of four stoppages in play, provided that at least one of those of prominent former players, among allowing an additional fourth League, and the UEFA Regions’ Cup. stoppages occurs in extra time. them Xabi Alonso, Peter Schmeichel, substitution in extra time Javier Zanetti, Leonardo, Clarence in certain competitions. Seedorf and Deco.

32 33

PLAYING THE GAME PLAYING THE GAME

Finals and tournaments

Created by joni CELEBRATING FOOTBALL from the Noun Project ACROSS EUROPE 2018 2019 2020 1 UEFA Champions 1 UEFA Champions 1 UEFA Champions League final League final League final Kyiv, Ukraine Madrid, Spain Istanbul, Turkey UEFA finals and tournaments were held in many different European countries in 2017/18. This pattern is set to continue, with the Executive Committee having 6 2 UEFA Europa 2 UEFA Europa 2 UEFA Europa awarded the finals and tournaments for 2019 and 2020 7 League final League final League final during the year under review. Lyon, Baku, Gdańsk, France Azerbaijan Poland

3 5 3 UEFA Super Cup 3 UEFA Super Cup 3 UEFA Super Cup Tallinn, Istanbul, Porto, 8 Estonia Turkey Portugal 6

5 7 4 UEFA Women’s 4 UEFA Women’s 4 UEFA Women’s Champions Champions Champions 2 League final League final League final 5 Kyiv, Budapest, Vienna, Ukraine Hungary Austria

1+4 5 European 5 European 5 European Under-17 Under-17 Under-17 Championship Championship Championship England Republic of Estonia 4 Ireland 4 8 2 6 European 6 European 6 European Under-19 Under-19 Under-19 8 2 Championship* Championship Championship Finland Armenia Northern Ireland 3 6 7 1 7 European 7 European 7 European 1 3 Women’s Under-17 Women’s Under-17 Women’s Under-17 Championship Championship Championship Lithuania Bulgaria Sweden

8 European 8 European 8 European Women’s Under-19 Women’s Under-19 Women’s Under-19 Championship** Championship Championship Switzerland Scotland Georgia

*2017 final tournament held in Georgia in July, within the reporting period. **2017 final tournament held in Northern Ireland in August, within the reporting period.

34 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 35 38 National associations governance DEVELOPING 40 Solidarity 46 Education THE GAME 48 Technical development 50 Grassroots DEVELOPING THE GAME

Top Executive Programme Good governance principles Leading representatives from UEFA’s member associations for UEFA member associations met twice in autumn 2017 to discuss strategic matters via the Top Executive Programme (TEP). The TEP strategy meeting in September 2017 in Geneva centred on competitive balance in 1. Clear strategy: National associations should European club football while, two months later in Frankfurt, not only run day-to-day business, but also have TEP members discussed a Global Nations League concept in a clear business strategy. the wake of concrete interest from other confederations to globalise the format of the UEFA Nations League. 2. Statutes: National associations are encouraged to revise and modernise their statutes.

3. Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholders and other interest groups are important partners for the overall development of football at national level.

4. Promotion of ethical values, integrity and NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS GOVERNANCE good governance: Ethical values and good governance should be incorporated as objectives in the statutes.

5. Professionalism of committee structures: GOOD GOVERNANCE National associations should ensure that their statutes and regulations contain clear definitions regarding the work, responsibilities TOP OF THE AGENDA and composition of their committees. 6. Administration: It is recommended to protect UEFA affirmed its commitment to good governance within its member associations the administration of each national association by approving ten key principles, and Europe’s top-division clubs enjoyed increased from undue political influence on operational solidarity payments to support youth development. matters and daily decisions, and to have an open, clear and transparent hiring process. Recognising the importance of improving to the UEFA Organisational Regulations, revenue accrued in UEFA’s club good governance within its member which were approved by the UEFA competitions in the 2016/17 season. 7. Accountability: To enhance accountability, associations, the UEFA National Executive Committee in December 2017. it is recommended to establish a clear Associations Committee, meeting in There were two key requirements for process regarding signatory rights in national September 2017, appointed a dedicated The committee also called on UEFA clubs hoping to receive solidarity payments: associations. working group to draw up a set of to collaborate with the European Club that they use the funds for youth €124.37m recommended good governance principles Association (ECA) and other institutions development programmes and local from 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa 8. Transparency in financial matters and and managerial rules. The working group’s to organise regional workshops from community schemes, and that they did not League revenue – compared with €120.83m in 2015/16 corporate documents: A national association ten good governance principles were the 2019/20 season, with the purpose take part in the group stages of the UEFA that is transparent will have a better image unanimously approved by the committee of helping national associations and club Champions League or the UEFA Europa and will protect itself more effectively from in May 2018, and subsequently endorsed representatives improve standards of League in 2016/17. 17 37 any accusation of mismanagement or by the UEFA Governance and Compliance good governance at national level. associations and/or leagues associations and/or leagues undue influence. Committee. These principles cover a Elsewhere, a restructured UEFA Executive with participants in the without participants in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions 2016/17 UEFA Champions number of important areas that fall under Finally, the committee discussed Committee portfolio holders programme League group stage League group stage 9. Compliance: National associations are always the remit of national associations, and governance-related matters concerning was launched to strengthen collaboration expected to have a system and resources that will require final approval from the UEFA a number of UEFA member associations between the UEFA Executive Committee check that they comply with their own statutes Executive Committee before they can (Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech and member associations. Finally, Europe’s 80% 20% and regulations, as well as all general civil and be fully adopted at national level. Republic, England, Finland, Gibraltar, smaller national associations also received distributed to clubs of distributed to national criminal laws to which they are subject. Greece, Israel, Poland, Portugal, San essential support in the form of fully national associations and/ associations and/or leagues or leagues with at least one with no clubs taking part The committee agreed that the good Marino, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey). personalised kits for senior and Under-21 club participating in the UEFA in the UEFA Champions 10. Volunteer programmes: It is recommended to governance principles should be included teams from UEFA’s kit assistance scheme. Champions League group stage League group stage run volunteer programmes that will increase the in the governance pillar of UEFA GROW’s There was good news for youth Launched in 2007, the scheme operates (€99.49m, up from €96.66m in (€24.87m, up from €24.17m number of people active in all different aspects Football Federations of the Future concept. development in European top-division clubs in two-year cycles, and will run until 2015/16) in 2015/16) of the game, especially young people. Furthermore, to make its work more too, as a total of €124.37m was announced 2022 with the approval of the UEFA effective, the committee proposed changes in increased solidarity payments, using Executive Committee.

38 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 39 DEVELOPING THE GAME DEVELOPING THE GAME

SOLIDARITY SECURING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR FOOTBALL

With continued investment in the growth of the game – both in Europe and beyond – being one of UEFA’s most important goals, the success of its HatTrick, GROW and Assist programmes in 2017/18 proves that football’s future is in safe hands.

“Solidarity is a value that must be Launched in 2004, the UEFA HatTrick engrained in UEFA’s DNA. UEFA is not here programme runs on proceeds from the to accumulate wealth while you struggle to UEFA European Football Championship develop football in the furthest reaches of and in tandem with it, operating in your territories.” four-year cycles. The aim is to develop football through investment, education The words of Aleksander Čeferin to and knowledge sharing, and it has so UEFA’s member associations during his far pumped €1.8bn into various projects address to the 41st Ordinary UEFA Congress in all 55 member associations, making it in April 2017 – his first as UEFA president one of the largest sports development – capture the ethos of the HatTrick programmes in the world. programme, which increased the scope of its support further than ever before during This figure is set to rise to €2.6bn by 2024, the 2017/18 season. following the UEFA HatTrick Committee’s recommendation for approval of the fifth-cycle payments (2020–24) at its committee meeting in April 2018. Evolution HatTrick I, II, III, IV 775.5 and V (total) A total of €4.5m will go to each national 600 association during the HatTrick V cycle, 513 while there will be a further incentive 408 payment of up to €2.4m per year for 302 each association over the same period. The committee also agreed to approve advance payments if either or both of Total (€m) the following conditions are met: HatTrick I HatTrick II HatTrick III HatTrick IV HatTrick V 2004-08 2008-12 2012-16 2016-20 2020-24

Evolution HatTrick I, II, III, IV €14.1m “Solidarity is a value that and V (per member association) 9.6 €11.1m must be engrained in UEFA’s €9.5m 7.6 DNA. UEFA is not here to €7.7m 6.5

€5.7m* 5.2 accumulate wealth while Incentive you struggle to develop payments 3.2 4.5 3.0 3.5 football in the furthest 2.5 Development 1.8 reaches of your territories.” projects Aleksander Čeferin HatTrick I HatTrick II HatTrick III HatTrick IV HatTrick V 2004-08 2008-12 2012-16 2016-20 2020-24 UEFA President

*Mini-pitch programme (UEFA’s golden jubilee celebration) included 40 41 DEVELOPING THE GAME

HatTrick programme success stories a) The HatTrick Committee considers the project of crucial importance for the development of football in the country and/or the national association; b) The project is substantially co-funded by at least one other party, and not solely with HatTrick funding, i.e. the national HatTrick backing has contributed to the recent or local government. The UEFA Executive construction and opening of new national centres Committee granted final approval of and association headquarters in Bosnia and these proposals at its May 2018 meeting Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Portugal and Slovenia in Kyiv.

In a series of other meetings between July 2017 and June 2018, the HatTrick Committee reviewed and approved 60 HatTrick ventures, not to mention a further 15 projects under the UEFA Nations League stadium support programme. Launched by More than 3,000 mini-pitches have been installed UEFA during the 2017/18 season, this across Europe – strengthening grassroots football programme helps national associations and youth development – through partnerships comply with the minimum mandatory established between HatTrick, national associations, requirements for the UEFA Nations municipalities and local authorities League by assisting with major stadium renovations. The committee also announced procedural changes, with one committee meeting per season taking place abroad at the headquarters or training centres of national associations that have received HatTrick support. This will allow committee members a first-hand opportunity to Funding for a girls’ academy to nurture teenage witness the positive impact of HatTrick players in Austria has delivered promising results, funding on UEFA’s member associations. with the country’s national women’s squad – featuring a number of academy graduates – qualifying for their “The UEFA HatTrick programme is an firstWomen’s EURO finals in 2017 and reaching the semi-finals outstanding initiative that continues to provide great support to all UEFA member associations in their efforts to develop their respective operations and projects,” said Karl-Erik Nilsson, chairman of the HatTrick Committee. “The impact of this

Created by joni programme all across the continent is from the Noun Project significant, and it ultimately means that European football as a whole is stronger.” Artificial pitches and indoor facilities built in Finland ensure that football can be played all year round Apart from the vital work carried out by the HatTrick Committee, UEFA launched HatPro, a platform that helps member associations manage their involvement in a number of HatTrick subprogrammes, including development projects and UEFA’s football and social responsibility, elite youth player development and women’s football development programmes. Another HatTrick helped to provide Tallinn with the impressive The Lilleküla stadium, the venue Lilleküla football complex, which successfully notable launch came in the form of a for the 2018 UEFA Super Cup in HatTrick promotional video, which it is Tallinn, Estonia. hosted the 2018 UEFA Super Cup hoped will boost awareness and coverage of the HatTrick programme.

42 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 43 DEVELOPING THE GAME DEVELOPING THE GAME

As the newest member of the UEFA family, “UEFA GROW offers tailor- the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) made consultation services received help to improve its internal to our member associations organisation and its footballing activities. It is not just through its HatTrick in the areas that are most programme that UEFA is promoting relevant for football the development of the game. Since it organisations, from building was launched in 2015, the UEFA GROW programme has been using fact-based a better image of football, research, market intelligence and industry to increasing revenue experts to systematically and strategically opportunities and getting plan the growth of European football, more people to play our working closely with Europe’s national associations. beautiful game.” Zoran Laković UEFA GROW swelled its ranks to more UEFA National Associations Director than 40 national associations in 2017/18 following the admission of Scotland, San Marino, Iceland, Serbia, the Netherlands, planning, insights, IT, public affairs, with the associations, UEFA staff and Israel, Armenia, Greece, Spain and Latvia. strategic communications and more than 70 industry experts. Within those associations that were already brand development. part of the programme, there was a 16% Finally, the Swedish and Romanian increase in football participation – the A new long-term UEFA GROW strategy associations adopted the UEFA GROW UEFA Assist: looking beyond Europe equivalent of almost 400,000 newly was also introduced, entitled Football social return on investment (SROI) model, registered players (based on data compiled Federations of the Future, which sets while a further eight associations opted Created to share knowledge and tournament in Miami, staged by during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons). UEFA’s member associations the target to follow suit, with a particular focus on best practices with other continental the North and Central American Numerous national associations received of developing in 14 key areas by 2024. increased public funding and improving football confederations and to and Caribbean confederation, tailored support in the areas of strategic This was done after extensive consultation regional development. support their development, the CONCACAF. UEFA Assist programme invested Over 100 national associations €7.4m in sustainable growth projects have taken part in educational UEFA GROW across the world in 2017/18. programmes and workshops Under the tagline ‘Supporting spanning the topics of governance, key events your success’, this collaboration football development, marketing, and meetings will help strengthen the game commercialisation and strategic within these confederations by planning. addressing the individual needs More than 20 non-European of national associations. The first national associations successfully 19 July 2017 UEFA Assist project supported the won UEFA Assist funding for UEFA GROW review meeting South American confederation, infrastructure projects, including with all experts and mentors CONMEBOL, in its organisation for the purchase of mini vans and in Rotterdam and planning of an Under-15 the installation of floodlights, development tournament in while many national associations 18 September 2017 November 2017, in which the ten participated in educational and UEFA GROW development South American national teams development workshops. A new day with 8 national association and two European teams – Croatia general secretary academy project general secretaries/presidents and the Czech Republic – competed was also set to be launched in in Geneva over the course of two weeks in the October 2018. Argentinian cities of Mendoza and Elsewhere, in a show of 29–30 November 2017 San Juan. solidarity with the global football UEFA GROW community In Africa, UEFA Assist supported family, nine UEFA member workshop in Warsaw, attended the African confederation, CAF, in associations jointly invested by all 55 member associations organising the six zonal qualifying almost €440,000 to help the tournaments for the 2019 FIFA U-17 Caribbean national associations March–June 2018 World Cup in Peru. In addition, two worst affected by Storm Irma, 13 working group meetings European girls’ teams competed which went towards rebuilding to develop Football Federations in a 30-team regional Under-15 infrastructure. of the Future

44 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 DEVELOPING THE GAME DEVELOPING THE GAME

EDUCATION National associations that have hosted UEFA CFM courses (as on 30 June 2018)

Azerbaijan Bosnia and Croatia Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia EDUCATING THE INDUSTRY Herzegovina LEADERS OF TOMORROW Finland France Georgia Germany Hungary Israel Italy UEFA’s educational programmes continued to provide participants with the management skills needed to succeed in all areas of the game.

In November 2017, UEFA celebrated the Latvia FYR Macedonia Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland successful conclusion of the first edition of its Executive Master for International Players (MIP), with 24 graduates receiving their diplomas in a special ceremony at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. The MIP equips former international footballers and futsal players with vital professional Romania Scotland Spain Sweden Turkey Ukraine Wales skills that will ease their transition into non-playing careers within football organisations. Judging by the results of the inaugural programme, this is already proving to be a highly valuable qualification, with 17 of the first cohort of graduates having been appointed to a A graduation ceremony in April 2018 qualification for people wishing to gain new role in a football organisation during brought the curtain down on the fourth a comprehensive understanding of the or after their studies. The second edition edition of UEFA’s Executive Master in Sport game, with more than 700 people having of the programme started in November Governance (MESGO), a prestigious now successfully completed such courses. 2017, with 26 participants from 20 programme aimed at sports industry A further eight CFM courses were different countries. leaders that focuses on strategic thinking in completed in 2017/18 (in Hungary, the area of sports governance. Two Denmark, France, Turkey, England, important developments in 2017/18 will Romania, Israel and FYR Macedonia), help to make that programme more hosted by the respective national accessible in the future. First, a new associations, and an additional five courses agreement between MESGO and the were launched during that period (in Council of Europe, under the auspices of Finland, Poland, Latvia, Wales, and Bosnia the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport and Herzegovina). Those courses are open (EPAS), will allow government sports to staff of the host associations and their Executive Master for International Players (MIP) – first edition officials to take part in the programme, respective stakeholders. honing their professional skills alongside representatives of sports bodies. And second, the establishment of the Lennart Johansson Scholarships for Football “I decided to join this programme because I knew it Leaders, in association with the Lennart would enable me to prepare for my future career. Johansson Foundation, will give more Before, I was always afraid that people saw me only as 18 24 8 5 1,275 15 142 talented individuals working in football Nationalities Participants UEFA European FIFA World Cups National team UEFA Champions League League and the opportunity to participate in the an elite player. The UEFA MIP has helped me to become Championships caps UEFA Europa League cup titles MESGO programme. more confident, to increase my professional knowledge UEFA Women’s and to gain more credibility as a future manager.” Champions League The UEFA Certificate in Football UEFA Super Cups Management (CFM) has long since Éric Abidal cemented its reputation as an essential Executive Master for International Players graduate

46 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 47 DEVELOPING THE GAME

Better methods, better coaches Football education services: key events and meetings Updates to the Coaching Convention reflect UEFA’s desire to remain a trailblazer in coach education. • UEFA Elite Coaches Forum, During its October 2017 meeting, held throughout the season, while Nyon, 30 August 2017 UEFA’s Development and Technical the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 Thirteen of Europe’s top coaches Assistance Committee approved a technical report was also published. attended the forum, chaired series of amendments to the UEFA Further work carried out by the by UEFA coaching ambassador Coaching Convention. New or committee at its October 2017 Sir , to discuss updated topics include reality-based gathering included the approval technical, competition and training; further education; the of coaching courses in a number refereeing matters. development of coach educators; of national associations (see below). UEFA Pro diploma courses (number Finally, a three-year memorandum • UEFA Coach Education of participants and frequency of understanding between UEFA Conference, Belfast, of courses); mandatory one-year and the Alliance of European 17–20 October 2017 coaching experience; licence renewal Football Coaches’ Associations Participants included technical options for coaches with multiple (AEFCA) was approved and directors and coach education licences; recognition of non-UEFA submitted to the UEFA Executive directors from all 55 UEFA coaching qualifications; recognition Committee for final approval. member associations, along with TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT of national futsal qualifications; and delegates from FIFA and all FIFA UEFA Grassroots C diploma courses. confederations. A number of meetings and events, similarly concerning the delivery of • UEFA Women’s EURO IMPROVING ELITE football education services, were National Team Coaches Conference, Amsterdam, 6 November 2017 Participants included women’s YOUTH FOOTBALL national team coaches and technical directors from all 55 UEFA member associations, along with delegates from FIFA There were strong signs of elite youth Elite youth and all FIFA confederations. 4 football development in UEFA’s member development Performance associations during the 2017/18 season, programme optimisation • UEFA Jira Panel meeting, with at least one technical visit to every programmes Nyon, 15 May 2018 association to offer practical help, expertise 11 and knowledge sharing. Two or three visits, Development • UEFA Pro Licence Student as necessary, were available to associations tournaments Exchange needing particular assistance. 6% Four courses hosted at UEFA 17% headquarters in Nyon were The four pilot academies in Armenia, attended by Pro licence students Belarus, FYR Macedonia and Georgia, and key coach educators from 14 which each received five visits throughout UEFA member associations. the course of the year, recorded promising 19 30% 11% 7 results regarding their Under-14/15 Elite youth player 65 Elite women’s Approval of coaching courses • UEFA Study Group Scheme development Total number youth football development. A workshop held during without a football of projects development A total of 52 seminars were the European Under-17 Championship academy (U13-U17) In October 2017, the Development and Technical Assistance Committee organised over the last two (U14-U15) final tournament in England in May 2018 18% approved the creation of coaching courses in the following national associations: seasons: 22 on coach education, sought to further support these 12 on women’s football and 18 academies’ growth. 18% • Georgia and Malta at Pro level on grassroots football. 12 • Cyprus and Israel at Elite Youth A level By producing better players, UEFA is 12 Elite youth football • Seven associations at Futsal B level: Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, investing in the future of European football. Elite youth player coach education Hungary, Netherlands and Ukraine 165,773 The programme’s policy is to establish development within • Eight associations at Goalkeeper A level: Austria, Croatia, England, Hungary, a football academy UEFA endorsed coaching licences the right mix of values, school and sport. (U14-U15) Iceland, Latvia, Republic of Ireland and Ukraine as on 1 January 2018

48 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 DEVELOPING THE GAME DEVELOPING THE GAME

GRASSROOTS GRASSROOTS GETS BIGGER AND BETTER

From the expansion of the Grassroots Charter to its 55th and newest member, and to the promising results achieved in its Football in Schools pilot project, UEFA is working harder than ever to ensure football is a game that can be enjoyed by all.

Since the first UEFA Grassroots Conference associations in relation to their grassroots was held in 1997, UEFA has been initiative, covering areas such as committed to supporting the game at participation, grassroots coaching and non-professional and non-elite level for football social responsibility. The objective all ages and abilities – from children and is to encourage associations to improve amateurs to disabled players and veterans. their provision of grassroots football, with As one of its 11 core values, UEFA places the promise of incentives: at the end of great importance on the development each year, associations are asked to of grassroots football, which made the complete a questionnaire, after which their 2017/18 season a significant one for the charter status is re-evaluated and updated organisation: three years after Gibraltar the following March. In 2017/18 this became the 54th member association questionnaire developed into a cross- to join, the UEFA Grassroots Charter divisional collection tool for grassroots underwent further expansion with the football and participation called the admission of Kosovo as its 55th member. GRASS Football Survey. Members are then eligible for a share of the €8.25m in The charter acts as a tool to highlight the annual HatTrick funding (up to €150,000 strengths and weaknesses of national per member), depending on its grassroots evaluation status (bronze, silver or gold). For some associations, this financial support can go a long way to raising the standards of grassroots football, benefiting the growth of the game across the country.

It is not only the charter that ensures the continued development of grassroots football in Europe. Established in 2004 as the Summer of Grassroots Football, what is now known as UEFA Grassroots Week gives people of all ages, genders and social backgrounds the chance to get into football for the first time, or even to return to the game after some years away from the field of play. The initiative involves close collaboration between UEFA and its

50 51 DEVELOPING THE GAME DEVELOPING THE GAME

Rewarding greatness Grassroots clubs in grassroots football development pilot project in Belarus

In the Best Grassroots Leader category, In June 2018, UEFA confirmed Armenian football coach Senik Arakelyan a club development pilot was awarded the top prize for his efforts project with the Football in organising a number of football activities Federation of Belarus with for orphaned children and both non-disabled a view to the next UEFA and disabled players in the country’s Grassroots Conference, set Shirak region. to take place in Minsk in the summer of 2019. The Best Grassroots Project went to Italy’s The 12-month project GiocoCalciando, an educational and will feature nine clubs in promotional scheme created by the Italian four regions and is supported Football Association (FIGC) in collaboration by the country’s ministry with the country’s ministry of education. of sport and tourism. The aim of the programme is to promote The aims of the pilot are sporting values and the importance of to develop grassroots clubs good health and exercise through football that provide access to member associations, who are encouraged across the continent between 23 and 30 occasion in Marseille, where he was joined in primary schools. football for everyone, no to facilitate and inspire participation in all September 2017, in line with the European by more than 200 children from two matter their gender, race, forms of football to celebrate the Commission-backed European Week of schools in the city’s XIIth district. Finally, St. Oliver Plunkett FC in Belfast, ethnicity or skills, increase grassroots game in Europe. The latest Sport. Former French international David The winners of the 2017 UEFA Grassroots Northern Ireland, was the recipient of the football participation and iteration of the annual event took place Trezeguet was on hand to celebrate the “I’m really moved by these kids, they Awards were announced by the UEFA Best Grassroots Club award. The club – which retention, and support clubs enjoy being on this pitch,” Trezeguet Executive Committee in September 2017, has more than 40 boys’ and girls’ teams – with coaching and education, said. “They play together and have fun. following recommendations by the UEFA helps young people in one of the city’s with the results and best Football can be really strong and it Grassroots Panel bureau and the UEFA disadvantaged communities through football, practice examples set to Status of European grassroots football unites people, from very different Development and Technical Assistance and is heavily involved with the Irish Football be announced at the cultural backgrounds as well. Now Committee. Association’s grassroots programme. Grassroots Conference. is their time to play, and they are “The BFF is happy to the future.” become a participant in 266 the joint pilot project on social programmes It was not just the presence of a club development,” said 125 addressing disability football footballing star that made it a day to the federation’s general remember for Marseille’s children and secretary, Yury Verheichyk. 1,037,000 grassroots players. A synthetic maxi- “We are grateful to UEFA licensed coaches pitch was also installed at the Sevan city for the assistance provided stadium – home of UGA Ardiv’s 17 in terms of preparation and 68,519 female licenced coaches teams – thanks to a €100,000 donation implementation of the pilot 968,481 male licenced coaches by UEFA as part of the city’s status as project in particular, as well the European Capital of Sport 2017. as for the great support in the development of 55 920,082 “UEFA’s contribution to this amazing day grassroots and youth football national associations teams was more than appreciated,” said the in Belarus in general.” club co-presidents Roger Dermesropian The further development and Philippe Cazarian. “Our club of club structures is an comprises 300 players, from children to important element of UEFA’s 16.4m veteran players. Our first team plays in overall grassroots vision, players the Régionale 1 [French football level 6] especially in the eastern league, and it was really important to Grassroots Week 2017 on UEFA social media European countries. This 8,845,250 U18 male players raise the standard of our main pitch for club development project 974,400 U18 female players Reach Engagement 6,144,316 18+ male players the benefit of all these players. The pitch in Belarus will point the 146 155,445 Fair play programmes amateur clubs 411,672 18+ female players also improves the way our coaches can way ahead and serve as an

Source: UEFA Grassroots Charter as of March 31 2018 work with the kids.” 1,278,907 38,451 example for other national associations. 52 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 53 DEVELOPING THE GAME

THREE-YEAR PLAN

YEAR ONE YEAR THREE

Football in Schools ALBANIA

As further evidence of UEFA’s commitment to making 20,000 45,000 children in the children in the football even more accessible 7–9 age group 7–9 age group to schoolchildren in Europe, the at 150 schools at 400 schools successful implementation of the Football in Schools pilot project led to the six participating national associations – Albania, AZERBAIJAN Azerbaijan, Georgia, FYR Macedonia, Northern Ireland and Russia – meeting their 25 first-year targets (see opposite school tournaments and regional page). The three-year scheme mini-competitions launched, as well as Under-10 and Under-11 leagues includes frequent and free- of-charge access to football activities for boys and girls, the FYR MACEDONIA involvement of UEFA-qualified coaches and teachers, financial support from UEFA and regular 3,000 cooperation with regional clubs girls introduced to football, 5v5 games and associations. featuring minimum of 2 girls per team, Members of the 8v8 featuring minimum of 3 Development and Technical Assistance Committee pledged GEORGIA their support for the project, recommending the renewal of its funding. “To help football grow, we believe we have to make closer 954 teachers benefitted links with children. Schools are from free tuition where the children are and, through the education system, we can teach them to play Project linked to 20 professional clubs football and pass on the benefits, such as social skills, equality and NORTHERN IRELAND good health,” said Andi Zere, programme director for the boys and girls in 15 primary 1,600 and 5 secondary schools national association of Albania. UEFA also announced plans 4,800 3x to expand the programme by as many establishing a separate HatTrick pillar giving all 55 UEFA member associations access to schools’ RUSSIA football funding when the next cycle begins. This will be put in place if the objectives 24,000 120,000 of the scheme – increasing the children at children at 3,000 schools number of registered players 600 schools in 6 regions in 20 regions and the general participation of boys and girls in football, promoting physical activity and complementing the principles of the UEFA Grassroots Charter – continue to be met.

54 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 55 58 Corporate governance

59 Football stakeholders GOVERNING and EU bodies 60 Finance THE GAME 61 Legal 62 Disciplinary

63 Medical

64 Services and administration

67 Stadiums and security

68 Social responsibility

72 UEFA Foundation for Children

73 Communications

74 Intelligence centre

76 Club licensing and financial fair play GOVERNING THE GAME GOVERNING THE GAME

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FOOTBALL STAKEHOLDERS AND EU BODIES KEEPING STRENGTHENING THE HOUSE RELATIONS ACROSS EUROPE IN ORDER In 2017/18, UEFA achieved key milestones in its dialogue and cooperation with stakeholders – both on a sporting and political level.

Internal governance is the focus of the activities undertaken by the new UEFA Governance and In December 2017, the sustainable development of professional Compliance Committee and unit. football was at the core of a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) that UEFA signed with the Association of European Professional Clubs and leagues now represented Football Leagues (EPFL) – which was subsequently renamed European on the Executive Committee Leagues (EL) in April 2018. Among other things, the agreement provides for cooperation in respect of the implementation of principles UEFA’s cooperation with football stakeholders was of good governance, and addresses a number of challenges that taken to the next level in 2017/18, with the confront professional football today. Extraordinary UEFA Congress on 20 September 2017 adopting significant amendments to the UEFA Statutes. The MoU followed a joint social dialogue resolution drawn up by Those amendments provided for the inclusion of a UEFA, the European Club Association (ECA), the European Leagues European Leagues representative in the UEFA Executive and the players’ body FIFPro in November 2017 on the subject Committee as a full member. A European Leagues of intermediaries/agents. The resolution raised concerns about representative then participated as an observer at a lack of transparency and the inflation of fees. It also called for the Executive Committee meeting in Nyon later that relevant measures to be taken with a view to addressing the same day – which was also the first meeting that the identified problems. European Club Association’s two representatives (Andrea Agnelli and Ivan Gazidis) had attended as full European football’s governing body also reactivated the Professional members. At the following Ordinary UEFA Congress Football Strategy Council, which brings together UEFA with its main (in Bratislava on 26 February 2018), the representative partners in European football – i.e. clubs (via the ECA), players (via elected by the European Leagues (its president, Lars- FIFPro Division Europe) and the European Leagues – with a view to Christer Olsson) was ratified. devising common solutions to major issues affecting the game.

In February 2018, UEFA signed a new extended cooperation The increasing interest of state regulators The committee and unit approved an governance and compliance auditors, and agreement with the European Commission. That agreement, which and judicial authorities in sport, and annual work plan for the 2018 calendar the latter met again in Nyon in June. Over will run until the end of 2020, includes plans to work together on football in particular, has sharpened UEFA’s year that included a review of UEFA’s the course of the year, the activities also UEFA EURO 2020, and features a shared acknowledgement of the focus on governance and compliance. The existing overall governance and compliance covered UEFA’s risk management system, need to focus on matters such as good governance, integrity and the expansion of the role of the existing framework. It also reviewed the current compensation and benefits, and liaising € sustainable development of the game. governance and compliance auditors into a rights sales policies and practices (‘money with the external auditors, EY, along new committee was therefore perfectly in’), while creating an internal with contributions to various The following month, UEFA’s first vice-president, Karl-Erik Nilsson, timed to provide the Executive Committee, administration working group on intergovernmental platforms (Council of Helping member associations travelled to Brussels for further discussions. And in May 2018, the the member associations and the outside procurement (‘money out’), with a view to Europe, EU, OECD, UNESCO and the UN to access funding UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, travelled to the Belgian capital to world with the assurance that all is working implementing a UEFA-wide procurement Office on Drugs and Crime). address EU sports ministers, explaining various aspects of UEFA’s role, well inside the organisation. policy. The current verification system for UEFA has established a new service aimed at helping mission and responsibilities, and urging the EU to work with UEFA HatTrick financial distributions to national The governing body’s philosophy in this its member associations to submit applications for EU to achieve “a European football that is fair, unpredictable, open The committee met for the first time in associations (‘money out’) was also sector is that, should a problem occur in the funding. That initiative, which has been endorsed by and united”. Nyon in September 2017, with a head of reviewed with a view to conducting future, UEFA should be able to show that it UEFA’s HatTrick Committee, has resulted in EU grants governance and compliance appointed the independent audits. had done everything reasonably possible to totalling about €1.5m being paid to the national On 31 May 2018, UEFA’s commitment to cooperation with European following January. The focus of the prevent it – albeit recognising that it is associations of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, public authorities took a further step forward as it signed a historic committee’s work is internal governance, Bratislava was the venue for the February impossible to eliminate all potential Liechtenstein, Romania, Scotland and Sweden. MoU with the Council of Europe. That agreement formalises and rather than governance within UEFA’s 2018 meetings of both the plenary problems, while additionally wishing to enhances cooperation between the two organisations in the interests

member associations. committee and the working group of avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy. of the long-term development of sport and its role in society.

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FINANCE Financial reviews LEGAL

In 2017/18, UEFA’s Finance Committee conducted a PLANNING thorough review of the budget NEW FRAMEWORK for 2018/19, which included the launch of the UEFA Nations The start of new club competition League and centralised friendlies, FOR THE FUTURE and national team football as well as the start of the new cycles, both occurring in 2018–21 club competition cycle. 2018, was a strong A revised investment and Together with all divisions and subsidiaries, the finance division began area of focus. planning for the period from 2017/18 to 2022/23. This also involved several foreign exchange policy – review sessions aimed at optimising tournament costs. The outcome will with a review of exposure be integrated into the 2019/20 budget, to be presented for approval at limits, investment avenues the 2019 Ordinary UEFA Congress in Rome. and governance matters – was approved by the Finance Committee and the UEFA Executive Committee. Meanwhile, in cooperation with the legal On the initiative of the UEFA In addition, external auditors affairs division, meetings were held with Finance Committee and under the performed their annual audit of the tax authorities of all EURO 2020 host leadership of the UEFA general UEFA’s financial statements and countries, in order to discuss matters such secretary, the finance division also internal control system, and their as VAT registration and other legal issues. carried out a thorough review of report and recommendations UEFA’s cost structure, in order to were presented to, and discussed Work also began on an IT tool aimed optimise the governing body’s by, the committee. More at helping all divisions with staff costs, resulting in a cost culture information can be found in the planning for EURO 2020, which initiative that has now been 2017/18 financial report. facilitates calculating and budgeting implemented across the

the corresponding cost per unit. organisation.

BUSINESS AFFAIRS for each season, cycle and club They also assisted with UEFA competition finals. committee reporting, as follows: Marketing legal services Revenue by Revenue by nature With commercial sales cycles for major Corporate legal services UEFA Legal Committee, competition competitions all coming to a close at the The team concluded UEFA’s general November 2017 same time for UEFA club competitions third-party liability insurance policies for The team prepared amendments to (2018–21) and national team football EURO 2020. It also reviewed and aligned the UEFA Statutes, submitted to the (2018–22), it was a particularly busy UEFA’s legal documentation with UEFA Executive Committee and

(89.9%) €2508.9m Tickets and year for marketing legal services. They General Data Protection Regulation adopted by the UEFA Congress on hospitality Commercial rights executed 633 contracts between 1 July (GDPR) requirements. 26 February 2018. They also discussed €38.2m (1.4%) €453.8m (16.3%) 2017 and 30 June 2018, generating total various items, including the agreed aggregate revenue from UEFA’s club and SPORTS LEGAL SERVICES proposal that a reasonable, national team competitions (through proportionate on fees for players’ the life of those contracts) of €5.635bn. Sports legal services advised on the agents should be discussed by all They also conducted a Europe-wide revision of UEFA regulations on stadium stakeholders as part of the European assessment of laws on the sale and infrastructure, anti-doping, club social dialogue. supply of alcohol at matches, as part licensing and financial fair play, kit/ of a review of UEFA policy ahead of the equipment, and the UEFA Champions UEFA Players’ Status, Transfer May 2018 Executive Committee decision League/UEFA Europa League and Agents and Match Agents € to allow the sale and supply of alcohol (2018–21 cycle), as well as FIFA’s Committee, November 2017 at UEFA matches. statutes, governance regulations The team worked on topics such as

(7.9%) €220m Broadcasting rights Other revenue and code of ethics. They also assisted the proposal that an online player €2263.1m €34.7m (1.2%) Event legal services 12 UEFA member associations with passport system should be introduced (2.2%) €60.9m (81.1%) The team implemented a ticketing statutory and regulatory matters, and by FIFA and that the player’s new club enforcement policy for all UEFA worked on decisions of the FIFA Dispute should pay 5% of the transfer fee, as National Club Other team competitions competitions competitions, and concluded tenders/ Resolution Chamber and FIFA Players’ a solidarity contribution, directly to a competitions and other revenue agreements for all service providers Status Committee. specific FIFA account.

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DISCIPLINARY MEDICAL Tackling doping through cooperation

PROTECTING THE THE IMPACT UEFA is continuing to increase the number of cooperation agreements that it has with national anti-doping INTEGRITY OF FOOTBALL OF HEADING organisations (NADOs) across Europe. Under those agreements, UEFA and the NADOs in question UEFA took significant action against clubs and players involved in match-fixing, as its anti-match- UEFA’s Medical Committee commissioned two studies looking at coordinate their anti-doping fixing unit continued to expand its influence across the continent. heading in youth football in 2017/18, as well as ensuring that it programmes and testing activities, maintained a cutting-edge approach to the fight against doping. as well as exchanging information and intelligence which will help with the planning of anti-doping tests UEFA’s disciplinary and ethics unit handled Disciplinary cases in 2017/18 This involved mapping all incidents of at national and international level. a total of 450 cases during the last year, match-fixing from 2015/16 to 2017/18 in and girls, while also taking account of That cooperation also includes the 49 of which were subject to appeal, and 450 all 55 UEFA member association countries, variation caused by the differing traditions establishment of haematological four ultimately challenged before the which were then plotted against each and playing styles of the countries in and steroidal biological passports 400 450 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). One country’s abilities to tackle the problem. question. The findings are due to be (ABPs) for players in the World Anti- particularly striking case involved Albania’s 350 published towards the end of the 2018/19 Doping Agency’s Administration KF Skënderbeu, a club banned from UEFA 300 The risk vs connectivity matrix is a decision- season. and Management System (ADAMS). competition for the 2016/17 season for 250 matrix whereby tailored strategic integrity In 2017/18, cooperation agreements involvement in match-fixing, whose action plans can be created in each national UEFA also developed paperless anti-doping were concluded with NADOs in 200 sanction was upheld by the CAS. Following association based on the volume of forms, which were delivered during the Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, further investigations, UEFA’s disciplinary 150 potentially fixed matches, current integrity annual seminar in June 2018 ahead of the Slovenia and Turkey, bringing the bodies imposed a ten-year ban from UEFA 100 149 needs, and the country environment. 2018/19 season, and expanded its integrity total number of agreements to 32. competition and €1m fine on Skënderbeu. In the same period, an information-sharing reporting platform and app in order to 50 agreement was signed with the allow players, coaches, team doctors and 49 4 UEFA’s efforts to fight match-fixing also led international betting integrity body other people to report alleged anti-doping Cases CEDB* Appeals CAS to bans on six Malta Under-21 internationals handled decisions Body proceedings ESSA (Sports Betting Integrity). rule violations. – one of them for life. In another high- with grounds decisions profile ruling, meanwhile, the adjudicatory * Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body To provide better support to the member In January 2018, the seventh UEFA Medical chamber of the Club Financial Control Body associations, in June 2018 the anti-match- Symposium in highlighted the 2,263 (CFCB) imposed a ban on Panathinaikos FC In 2017/18, UEFA achieved some fixing unit launched a platform for integrity multidisciplinary nature of football medicine urine samples collected in 2017/18: for the next three years when they qualify, noteworthy milestones in its drive to officers interconnecting the UEFA anti- and its links with team performance. 1,814 in-competition tests and after the club breached the overdue maintain the game’s integrity. In spring match-fixing unit with the national In addition to sessions on emergency 449 out-of-competition tests payables requirement of the UEFA Club 2018, its anti-match-fixing unit began associations’ own integrity officers through In November 2017, UEFA’s Medical medicine, rehabilitation, the safeguarding Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations. an innovative risk-mapping project. a social networking-style platform Committee commissioned two separate of players’ health, communication between containing useful guidelines, education studies looking at heading in youth football the medical team and the coach, and the 537 presentations and training materials. – a first step to establishing whether UEFA elite club injury study, there was also blood samples collected in 2017/18: heading the ball poses any long-term a presentation on a new initiative – the 220 samples for ABPs (athlete biological passports) and 317 The anti-match-fixing unit’s efforts have risks, particularly as regards brain damage. 2018 UEFA football nutrition consensus. serum samples Red and yellow cards per match in all 2017/18 UEFA competitions also produced results providing key Those studies will be carried out by This will involve 25 of the world’s leading information to the authorities in several Saarland University in Germany and by nutrition experts, applied researchers and National competitions Club competitions countries in eastern Europe. Coordinating the Hampden Sports Clinic and the Greater practitioners coming together to provide information with the Moldovan authorities and Clyde Health Board in updated advice on nutrition, 12 years after with all players participating in UEFA Men Women Men Women regarding match-fixing, money laundering Scotland, in line with the recommendations the publication of the previous set of competitions now required to undergo and other violations led to arrests in a fraud of a panel of experts who considered ten guidelines in 2006. at least a basic PCME, which involves the case. Previously, in October and November different proposals. provision of up-to-date medical records 0.24 0.04 0.19 0.12 2017, the anti-match-fixing unit helped the UEFA’s medical and anti-doping unit has and an annual medical examination, plus Slovenian and Croatian FAs in their Those studies intend to look at differences also updated its requirements as regards an annual 12-lead ECG examination. investigations into organised match-fixing in the way that heading is taught in football the pre-competition medical examination Previously, the PCME applied only to gangs, resulting in the arrest of 11 training, differences between the incidence (PCME) that players undergo before playing players taking part in UEFA’s men’s club 4.06 1.83 4.15 2.68 individuals in cross-border action by and characteristics of headers in matches in a UEFA competition. On the advice of the competitions, as well as the final rounds of the police in Slovenia and Croatia, also and training, differences across age Medical Committee, the UEFA Medical national team competitions and the UEFA coordinated by Europol. categories and differences between boys Regulations changed on 1 January 2018, Regions’ Cup.

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Finding the SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION right words UEFA ORGANISATION CHART

The language services unit managed a large number of documents, Protection of the Game UEFA President President’s & Executive Office amounting to 3.8m words during the GETTING THE 2017/18 period. The three language sections (English, French and Integrity Financial German) dealt with most requests sustainability & Research BASICS RIGHT in-house, including UEFA Direct magazine, the technical reports for the UEFA Champions League Security UEFA General Secretary It was a busy year for the services division – from arranging and UEFA Europa League, Congress accommodation to interpreting at meetings, from finding ICT and Executive Committee minutes, solutions to managing HR matters. and the reports from the UEFA president, Executive Committee and administration. The unit also provided interpreters at official UEFA meetings throughout the year (671 interpreter days at 84 events). UEFA Deputy General Secretary CEO UEFA Events SA

Welcoming guests to our home Legal Finance Communications Services NAs Football Operations Marketing 24,024 visitors to the UEFA Technical Competitions campus in 2017/18 development

UEFA STAFF UNDER PERMANENT CONTRACT 41 NATIONALITIES The AS OF 30 JUNE 2018 WITHIN UEFA STAFF 8,000 reservations

64% M/F 24 511 ratio 36% key events Permanent 455 staff matches 140 Average Average years age of service Building a 40 7.1 110 greener UEFA 86 79 UEFA completed an energy-efficiency -8% project in the main 43 47 building that will 37 Handling huge numbers 69 35 reduce greenhouse gas emissions 34 38 53 43 Number of employees Number of Following a highly competitive tender, Over the course of 2017/18, as many by about 8%. It involved replacing employees Number of 41 31 27 26 Publicis Live was appointed to handle as 18,682 room nights were reserved the two lake-water heat pumps, 27 5 24 23 accommodation for the 2018–21 club for UEFA staff, guests, suppliers and climate control systems, electrical 4 competitions cycle (hotel sourcing, commercial partners attending the 348 switchboards and the emergency 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61+ 1 1-2 3-5 6-10 11-15 +16 selection, contracting and management). season matches. generator. Age Years of Service

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Stewarding ‘train the trainer’ course INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) STADIUMS AND SECURITY Participants from January Managing the ICT landscape to June 2018 Russia Ukraine 33 30 UEFA’s ICT staff have a far-reaching role to play in an organisation whose influence can be felt across the Hungary Azerbaijan entire continent. 27 34

In addition to 29 from 8 other national associations: ICT SOLUTIONS Wales, Scotland, The team’s tasks in 2017/18 included the service and information channels for media (GDPR); and designing the new venue access Northern Ireland, Malta, initiation of UNITY, a major IT transformation and broadcasters; changes to the collection control system for accreditation, VIP, media and Iceland, Republic of Ireland, programme focusing on UEFA events. of personal details in compliance with the new deliveries to improve the overall security levels Gibraltar, This involved the delivery of the new media European General Data Protection Regulations and applicability to all UEFA events. Faroe Islands

FACTS AND FIGURES A UNITED STAND FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY UEFA has pushed hard for a pan-European approach to stadium safety and security, notably as regards the threat of terrorist attacks and the dangers of pyrotechnics. 51 82 12 11 200+ iPads for doping FAME companies fully digitalised applications control officers releases in UEFA stadiums maintained An integrated pan-European approach the risks and liabilities that arise in this no safe use of these devices is possible in access control RFP has been at the heart of the Stadium crucial area of the game. spectator areas of stadiums owing to the and Security Committee’s work to raise “significant health and safety risks arising awareness and offer advice on dangers Concerns over possible terror attacks, from their use in close proximity to other such as potential terrorist attacks meanwhile, led UEFA to develop a two-day people”. Some 170 delegates from 48 and pyrotechnics. counterterrorism masterclass, initially held national associations and public authorities ICT GOVERNANCE ICT SUPPORT FOR as a successful pilot event in the joined UEFA and international experts The team delivered 145 projects to the various UEFA business units NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS The annual UEFA-EU Stadium and Security Netherlands, followed by the inaugural in November 2017 for a pan-European for a total budget of €15m. They also oversaw general In conjunction with the UEFA GROW team in Conference, held in Munich in September masterclass in Russia in April 2018, in seminar on pyrotechnics. Masterclasses improvements to cyber-security protection and dedicated a task the national associations division, the ICT unit 2017, provided the opportunity for 350 the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup. It on pyrotechnics were delivered to over force to the GDPR. Centralising approximately 29,000 UEFA football launched the UEFA ICT GROW Maturity Matrix representatives of UEFA, the EU, national focused on four topics: the reality of 500 delegates from four national community users (e.g. broadcasters, media, consultants and staff) to gain a 360-degree overview of the IT football associations, football clubs, police terrorism; the way terrorists operate; associations (Netherlands, Finland, Poland to improve the access procedure for UEFA’s information system and systems used by UEFA member forces and other stakeholders to plan for how to respond to the threat; and best and Slovenia) and public authorities. the UEFA Go mobile application for UEFA’s on-site staff were other associations and assess their maturity. the new season’s security and to network. practices. In the same month, over 150 noteworthy achievements. This was the first time such an But the push for a pan-European approach delegates from 53 national associations It is not only in Europe that UEFA is sharing initiative had been launched, did not end there. and public authorities joined UEFA and knowledge and best practices; the purpose O and 50 national associations international experts at a separate of its Assist programme is to provide support 360 responded to the survey of UEFA also provided a new knowledge- pan-European expert seminar in Munich. worldwide, as highlighted by UEFA’s more than 1,000 questions, sharing platform with a series of UEFA Sixteen of the countries present had cooperation with the Asian Football covering everything from stadium and security strategy summits suffered an attack in 2016/17, underlining Confederation to ensure safety and security player registration systems to for its 55 member associations. These five the scale of the problem. at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. video libraries. The result was a summits, part of UEFA’s new stadium and Back in Europe, another UEFA initiative, 98 145 9.3m clear picture of what IT systems security strategy and held in December Another major area of concern was the ‘train the trainer’ programme, helped contracts projects security threats national associations use, and their 2017 and January 2018, enabled the pyrotechnics at more than 25% of UEFA 15 countries to train stewards. Russia was signed delivered managed needs for the future. associations to meet security experts, police competition matches. The results of a the main beneficiary, with 91 people trained and government representatives to discuss July 2017 independent scientific study over three years and able to pass on their the lessons of the past, current incidents commissioned by UEFA and Football knowledge to an estimated 26,000 stewards and emerging trends, as well as reflect on Supporters Europe (FSE) confirmed that working at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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A strong partnership Football and sustainability

UEFA teamed up with the World Wide SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY UEFA’s social responsibility portfolio partners for 2017–21 Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Green Sports Alliance to produce the Playing Football for all abilities: International Blind Sports Association (IBSA), for Our Planet report. Published in ENABLING CP Football (cerebral palsy), Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE), European Deaf May 2018, the report shows how sport Sports Organisation (EDSO), European Powerchair Football Association (EPFA), can contribute to sustainability and European Amputee Football Federation (EAFF) tackle climate change at all levels, RESPONSIBLE Access: Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) from grassroots to the elite. The report Sustainability – Climate Change: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) examined the link between sport and Inclusion: Homeless World Cup environmental issues, and stressed its FOOTBALL Racism and discrimination: Fare network overall impact, as well as its unique Peace and reconciliation: Cross Cultures (CCPA) power to raise awareness and promote Solidarity: International Platform for Sport and Development sustainability among football fans ACTIVITIES (www.sportanddev.org) in Europe and beyond. It featured Rehabilitation: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 25 examples of sports stakeholders, Child protection: Terre des Hommes (Tdh) including UEFA, who are committed to Health: European Healthy Stadia Network reducing the environmental impact of Carbon offsetting: South Pole Group their operations – leading by example in the fight against pressing UEFA’s social responsibility endeavours had environmental challenges such as a far-reaching impact in 2017/18. climate change and ocean plastics. UEFA placed health and well-being on the agenda by partnering with the One successful new initiative for 2017/18 Responsibility Report, published in May Another priority for UEFA’s Fair Play and in the child protection, health and European Healthy Stadia Network was the Match for Solidarity, organised in 2018 – the final report in a cycle that Social Responsibility Committee was to carbon offsetting sectors, the committee and World Heart Federation to use UEFA tandem with the United Nations Office at started in 2012. The publication looks determine its plans for the future. So, in confirmed partnerships with Terre competitions to promote physically Geneva. A crowd of 23,654 turned up for at the achievements of UEFA and its December 2017, UEFA confirmed an des Hommes (Tdh), the European active and healthy lifestyles. For the game at the Stade de Genève, where partners in diversity, inclusion, approved social responsibility strategy for Healthy Stadia Network and the example, a joint Royal Netherlands they cheered on the two teams of legends environment, health, peace and the 2017–21 cycle. After a tender process South Pole Group. Football Association (KNVB)-UEFA captained by Portuguese icon Luís Figo and reconciliation, solidarity and fan campaign, A Healthy Heart Your Goal, the Brazilian star Ronaldinho. The aim was dialogue. accompanied by the Active Match app to promote peace, human rights and for UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 in the well-being through the Sustainable Making football activities more Key meetings Netherlands, encouraged supporters to Development Goals set out by the UN. sustainable across Europe, the 55 UEFA walk and cycle to games. member associations submitted a total of Active travel and healthy stadiums “I am proud the United Nations and UEFA 65 social responsibility projects, with (tobacco-free, healthy food options) could join forces to promote solidarity for €2.75m of HatTrick funding being aim to provide a safe football peace, rights and well-being through the invested. Meanwhile, the Football for Diversity and environment and help reduce health Sustainable Development Goals,” said Refugees grant scheme attracted inclusion seminar risks while encouraging supporters to Michael Møller, director-general of the applications from 21 national hosted by the Royal Belgian do more exercise and take up sport. United Nations Office at Geneva. “And all associations for the six €50,000 grants. Football Association (URBSFA/ for a good cause – to help underprivileged KBVB) in October 2017, attended children around the world.” One of the highlights of the 2017/18 by 16 national associations period came in October 2017 with the The event included a global digital auction Fare network’s Football People action Social responsibility for fans, and a live auction at a post-match weeks. These are held annually across compact course gala dinner. In total, it raised €684,000, the continent, and aim to tackle for 13 national associations which was made available to the UEFA discrimination in football – a message in Nyon in January 2018 Foundation for Children to support four highlighted at matches in the UEFA sports projects that promote inclusion Champions League, UEFA Europa League among children living with disabilities. and UEFA Women’s Champions League, Seminar on football and through the social media channels of and refugees This is just one example of UEFA’s the clubs involved. The UEFA president, hosted by the Football initiatives. A full breakdown of their Aleksander Čeferin, described the Association of Ireland (FAI) far-reaching impact can be found in initiative as “football’s largest movement in April 2018, attended by the fifth UEFA Football and Social for social change in Europe”. 21 national associations

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De Bruyne maintains #EqualGame at the finals good tradition

Even at the end of the season, the The Champions Festival also featured SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY #EqualGame campaign was in full an #EqualGame dome, an educational force with the staging of a special hub that served to highlight the football match at the UEFA Europa importance of social inclusion in League Village at Place Bellecour football by engaging visitors in a A LEVEL in Lyon ahead of the UEFA Europa series of fun activities. UEFA’s social League final. The contest – the aim of responsibility partners teamed up with PLAYING which was to promote #EqualGame’s the Football Federation of Ukraine core message of inclusion and diversity to oversee the running of the dome, in football – featured the stars of the while an #EqualGame quiz gave fans FIELD campaign together with bona fide the opportunity to win special UEFA footballing greats: Portuguese legend Champions League prizes. FOR ALL Luís Figo, former Olympique Lyonnais Meanwhile, the UEFA Champions and favourite Éric Abidal, Gallery – also situated at the Champions and current Olympique Lyonnais Festival site – documented the progress women’s stars Ada Hegerberg and of the #EqualGame campaign with an Shanice van de Sanden. interactive exhibition that highlighted UEFA gave fresh impetus to the Respect Over at the UEFA Champions six unique grassroots football stories campaign for inclusion and diversity in League final festivities in Kyiv the from around the continent. football with its #EqualGame initiative. following week, a series of matches Respect is the theme that underpins were organised on the Champions all the elements of UEFA’s social UEFA’s support for Afghan landmine Festival mini-pitch featuring amputee responsibility strategy, including the victims is long established and Kevin football, cerebral palsy football, promotion of peace and reconciliation, De Bruyne was the latest in a growing Special Olympics football (for players football for all, health, respect for line of players to present the governing with learning disabilities), and Open the environment and the campaign body’s annual donation to the Fun Football Schools promoting against discrimination, racism International Committee of the reconciliation in post-conflict areas. and violence. Red Cross.

UEFA’s commitment to promoting inclusion, 12 September, Matchday 1 of the 2017/18 Champions League matches, as well as “If you give everything for the thing diversity and accessibility in football UEFA Champions League, not to mention European qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s you want to do, you can achieve it.” received fresh impetus at the start of the the dedicated #EqualGame signage which World Cup. Spectators at stadiums These were the words of advice that 2017/18 season from its #EqualGame could be seen on advertising boards in and throughout Europe watched videos played Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgium and initiative. A new Respect social around the stadiums. The video would on giant screens, announcements were made Manchester City FC midfielder, offered responsibility campaign, #EqualGame be broadcast throughout the 2017/18 over stadium public address systems, child through the video call to a gym filled featured football’s biggest stars – including European club football season across all mascots wore #EqualGame T-shirts, and with Afghan schoolchildren in Kabul. Lionel Messi, , major UEFA competitions. teams lined up together before kick-off As one of the players selected for the and Ada Hegerberg – alongside grassroots for a group photo in which both 2017 Team of the Year, Kevin De Bruyne players from around Europe. The spotlight shone particularly brightly on #FootballPeople and #EqualGame hashtags presented a cheque for €100,000 on the #EqualGame campaign in support of were prominent. With a Football People behalf of UEFA to the ICRC to support its The campaign was launched in Monaco on the Fare network’s Football People action editorial appearing in all match programmes work helping Afghan landmine victims. 23 August 2017 in a ceremony featuring weeks at all UEFA Champions League, too, the message was clear: discrimination “It’s a great honour to be in line with the UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Women’s has no place in football. the other players who have already France and Manchester United FC done this,” said De Bruyne. midfielder Paul Pogba, and Eddie Thomas De Bruyne had received the cheque from Wales, one of the grassroots players from UEFA Executive Committee whose football story was told in one of the member and chairman of the UEFA mini web documentaries on UEFA’s Fair Play and Social Responsibility communications channels to promote Committee, Peter Gilliéron, and handed #EqualGame. it over to Dominik Stillhart, the ICRC’s director of global operations, ahead An extended advertisement premiered of the UEFA Champions League round on 11 September, with an abbreviated of 16 second-leg match between TV spot making its first appearance on Manchester City and FC 1893.

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UEFA Foundation’s work in numbers (2017/18): UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN COMMUNICATIONS A corporate social 74 media surge ongoing projects CREATING CHANCES 400,000 A NEW LEVEL

children and young adults 833,155 benefited from projects supported by the Foundation OF INTERACTION

FOR CHILDREN 660,807 A focus on engagement leads to growing audiences.

17 397,035 There have been over 700,000 beneficiaries of the UEFA Foundation for new football pitches were built Children’s activities so far – and in 2017/18, the UEFA president became 136,955 its new chairman. A significant shift in the editorial strategy of Another noteworthy development was 2017/18 an increase of 189% 2017/18 2016/17 an increase of 26% 3 2016/17 tonnes of materials were UEFA’s communications division – prioritising the creation of a unit specifically offering Followers Engagements sent to support projects quality, conversational output – paid communications support to the 55 for children handsome dividends in 2017/18, with 15.5m member associations. This unit works new followers signing up for news and alongside the UEFA GROW programme

updates from the UEFA Champions League (national associations division), seeking to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. foster relations with communications specialists at the national associations 1,073,537 In addition, there was a 20% year-on-year with the aim of establishing long-term Board of trustees of the growth in visits to the Champions League communication strategies. 866,142 UEFA Foundation for Children website and mobile applications, boosted 653,582

by a record 1.44m registrations for the Communications staff worked on a 578,432 Aleksander Čeferin (Chairman) Champions League Fantasy Football game. whole range of different UEFA events in Kairat Boranbayev There was also improved access to match 2017/18, including the UEFA Congress, Greg Clarke highlights for all competitions, which were club competition finals, UEFA Women’s Norman Darmanin Demajo optimised for mobile devices and delivered EURO 2017, the UEFA Nations League Esther Gascón Carbajosa by midnight CET on every matchday. draw, UEFA Futsal EURO 2018, the Peter Gilliéron A record 8.8m votes, from nearly 800,000 Match for Solidarity and youth Nathalie Iannetta an increase of 24% an increase of 13% 2017/18 2017/18 unique users, were cast in UEFA.com’s tournaments. 2016/17 2016/17 Kevin Lamour Team of the Year 2017 poll. Margarita Louis-Dreyfus Page likes Engagements Finally, the division has delivered a long Elkhan Mammadov To give the Respect programme fresh list of publications. In addition to UEFA’s Fiona May impetus, a new campaign called official magazine, UEFA Direct, it also #EqualGame was launched in August 2017 produced season/tournament As on 30 June 2018 in close collaboration with the football and reviews and technical reports, match social responsibility unit, national programmes for all of UEFA’s finals and

associations, players and clubs. tournaments, and corporate reports. 2,100,331 with the election of Aleksander Čeferin, the UEFA president, as its new chairman. In November 2017, a foundation board meeting confirmed plans to invest in a further 28 projects, bringing the number In a touching vignette before the season- This is just one example of the good work of projects the charity supports to 74. It is opening UEFA Super Cup match between carried out by the UEFA Foundation for now active on all five continents. 632,810 Real Madrid CF and Manchester United FC Children in 2017/18, the aims of which are in Skopje, FYR Macedonia, a group of to help children and safeguard their rights, “I’m delighted to have the opportunity

19 hearing-impaired youngsters from a especially in health, education, access to to work even closer with our foundation, 285,386 local state school for education and sport, personal development and the which plays an instrumental role in aiding 397,035 rehabilitation met players from both integration of minorities. children living in challenging and difficult teams, and then performed the Coldplay conditions around the world,” said song A Sky Full of Stars in sign language Established in 2015, the foundation has Aleksander Čeferin, who succeeded former 2017/18 an increase of 121% 2017/18 an increase of 429% on the pitch, alongside Skopje’s children’s already supported projects in 81 countries European Commission president José 2016/17 2016/17 choir, Falsetto. and, in 2017/18, it gained fresh impetus Manuel Durão Barroso as chairman. Followers Engagements

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INTELLIGENCE CENTRE A network Intelligence centre study on social media Cristiano Ronaldo of knowledge Top six clubs and players by Twitter and Facebook 122.61m Facebook likes Work began in 2018 to build 67.7m Twitter followers and link the intelligence centre’s KEEPING A KEEN EYE strategic datasets. Subjects include club and national 90 m Lionel Messi association finances, stadium ON THE BUSINESS projects, supporters, results, transfers and loans, player agents, player careers, head coach careers, reported commercial and media OF FOOTBALL deals and football demographics. 60 m Neymar This will enable UEFA to be more agile in responding to requests, The recently established UEFA intelligence centre and better equipped to is already proving an important source of clear and provide strategic Number likes of valuable information about trends in football today. insights. Mesut Özil 30 m James Rodriguez

Andrés Iniesta A quest for context amid the 24/7 noise be raised about unusual transfer activities the intelligence centre responded to and and drama of 21st-century football: that that could lead to future financial cases to fulfilled bespoke benchmarking studies is the work of the UEFA intelligence centre. be shared with the financial fair play for ten national associations and leagues. It was in 2017 that the UEFA Executive compliance unit. 0 m Committee agreed to set up the unit to As part of this latest benchmarking report, 0 m 10 m 20 m 30 m 40 m 50 m support evidence-based decision-taking In January 2018, the intelligence centre’s the centre also analysed agent activity Number of followers and policymaking within UEFA and among report on The European Club Footballing across more than 2,000 transfers, its close stakeholders. It now comprises Landscape was published, providing UEFA highlighting the scale of agent commission five team members, including a newly with the opportunity to demonstrate rates (€600–700m on European transfers) recruited data scientist and a commercial its knowledge of developments in club and the large variation from one deal to the rights specialist. football and provide context. This was next. This type of first-hand internal analysis Intelligence centre study on domestic leagues the ninth UEFA club licensing benchmark provides valuable context for the discussions Average title winner points per game in the five main domestic leagues An early measure of the unit’s value came report but the first since the unit was on reforms to the transfer system. during the transfer windows of summer created. It included unique analyses on Country 2017 and January 2018, as it used its areas as diverse as club ownership, Trends in competitiveness across all composite transfer database to track deals sponsorship and commercial partnerships, the various European leagues were also Spain Italy Germany 2.50 in real time and send reports to directors attendance levels, domestic league analysed in detail, using the databases England France Average and Executive Committee members structures and social media comparisons of every match result and league tables summarising clubs’ record transfer activity. between clubs and their players, as well as over recent decades, and linked to clubs’ 2.40 As well as providing some proper context detailed financial breakdowns covering 700 financial resources. This has since led to the regarding trends in the transfer market, the clubs from across the 55 UEFA member inclusion of policies around competitiveness 2.30 team’s work allowed early warning flags to associations. Subsequent to the report, in the UEFA strategy consultation.

2.20 Intelligence centre 40.2% study on agents 2.10

Points per game Mid agents’ 2.00 commission rate by

size of transfer deal 1.90 17.7% 14.5% 13.3% 12.1% 11.7% 1.80 9.2%

1.70 Number of 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 1973 268 439 221 228 338 481 transfers reviewed Season start year

ALL €1 – €100k €100k – €500k €500k – €1m €1m – €2m €2m – €5m €5m plus Data sourced from UEFA Club Licensing Benchmarking Report Financial Year 2016 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 75 GOVERNING THE GAME GOVERNING THE GAME

CLUB LICENSING AND FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY further development and tackle existing in accounting treatments that can impact issues, a dedicated club licensing system a club’s break-even result. These include for the UEFA Women’s Champions player registrations, player impairment, League will come into force in June 2019 and expense and revenue recognition. after a transition period. RAISING • Reduction of the financial fair play • Transparency: To improve comparability assessment time gap: On account of and good governance, clubs are now experience in recent years, it was STANDARDS required to publish detailed financial felt that the overall financial fair information on their, or their licensor’s, play assessment time needed to be website detailing total amounts paid to addressed. This change was therefore agents/intermediaries, as well as the aimed at shifting from an a posteriori IN EUROPEAN latest annual audited financial to an a priori assessment of the break- information. even requirement. The aim was to reduce the time needed to evaluate a club’s FOOTBALL • Harmonisation of accounting principles: financial statements, instead of waiting New prescriptive accounting requirements sometimes over a year before drawing for key football activities were added to any conclusions. This provision is A number of notable changes were the regulations to address the difference triggered by two new indicators that made to the Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations in 2017/18 as UEFA responded to fresh challenges, including the introduction of a licensing system Youth football in the spotlight for clubs to take part in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. UEFA believes that youth development is significant in a development may be one of sustainable business model, and is an the most important factors effective way to reduce short-term of sustainability and success. planning and financial dependency The foremost priority in the at club level. Furthermore, the results review process was to understand indicated that there was a need to key determinants of success for reinforce regulatory measures, and UEFA has gradually developed its club UEFA member associations, the European youth academies and the way enhance both football and non-football Origins and objectives licensing system and financial fair play Club Association (ECA), European Leagues, they operate, as well as establish educational programmes for players. strategy since they were introduced. and the players’ body FIFPro Division relevant criteria that could added The 2018 regulations now require This continued in 2017/18, with the When club licensing was first These regulations have regularly Europe. The UEFA member associations to the regulations. clubs to have their youth development approval of new regulations to provide introduced in 2004, it was a set been updated to preempt financial were consulted through the Club Licensing So, extensive research was programmes assessed to ensure that a better environment for youth players, of criteria that clubs had to fulfil trends in European club football, yet Committee, its working group and club conducted in-house in the 2016/17 they are up to standard. An increase professionalise women’s club football to be eligible for UEFA’s club the fundamental principles remain licensing and financial fair play workshops, season to identify these success in the number of qualified youth throughout Europe, improve transparency, competitions. Since then, the the same: while there was a highly positive factors. It showed that youth coaches was also introduced. The new harmonise accounting principles and reduce system has developed extensively, • Improve clubs’ finances; increase collaboration with the dedicated ECA Article 23bis, ‘Child protection the financial fair play assessment time gap. and is now a fundamental part of their transparency and credibility; financial fair play panels and the European and welfare’, aims to how clubs operate. • Highlight the protection of Leagues’ financial fair play working group. safeguard the welfare of The 2018 UEFA Club Licensing and Financial In a constantly evolving creditors and ensure that clubs youth players and ensure Fair Play Regulations were approved by the football environment, and punctually pay employees, social/ Key amendments a safe football environment. UEFA Executive Committee at its meeting in the face of an increasingly tax authorities and other clubs; • Youth football: Various changes Finally, medical requirements in Kyiv in May 2018, following a year-long unsustainable financial situation, • Introduce more discipline and were made to the new regulations to have also been reinforced review overseen by the UEFA Club Licensing stakeholders pushed for more rationality in club football improve youth development and youth to ensure better healthcare, Committee. The purpose was to strengthen financial regulation, leading the finances; players’ welfare. These include a child with mandatory medical the club licensing requirements and UEFA Executive Committee to • Encourage clubs to operate using protection and welfare policy, the quality checks now required every financial fair play rules in order to continue unanimously approve a financial their own revenues; evaluation of clubs’ youth development year for all players above the raising standards in European club football, fair play concept in September • Encourage responsible spending programmes, an increased number of age of 12, the maintenance while promoting sustainable long-term 2009. A year later, the UEFA Club for the long-term benefit of qualified youth coaches, and enhanced of medical records, and the growth and financial stability. Licensing and Financial Fair Play football; medical supervision. appointment of a youth team Regulations came into force, as • Protect the long-term viability medic at club level. This review process, though led by UEFA, European club net losses escalated and sustainability of European • Women’s football: To support women’s involved a broad consultation process with to €1.7bn. club football. football in Europe, contribute to its

76 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 77 GOVERNING THE GAME Significant reduction in overdue payables since 2011 (further significant reduction in deferred amounts)

Total overdue payables June submission (€m)

€57m

Decrease in number of clubs reporting overdue payables in June 2018 highlight the net player transfer taking part in that season’s UEFA club monitoring clubs’ fulfilment of the break- Giving back balance in any given transfer window, competitions, on the basis of a even requirements. -47% Quality of submission improved (e.g. better disclosure of conditional and the level of debt in comparison redistribution mechanism ratified by the €30m amounts) with the operating earnings generated by UEFA Executive Committee. This resulted The chamber’s Compliance and Investigation UEFA distributed €13.53m to its the club. in €6m being redistributed in December Activity Report 2015–17 (Bulletin 2017) was member associations through

2017. Since this redistribution mechanism published in spring 2018, offering insights the HatTrick programme’s -70% -11% 16% Over the course of the year, the financial was introduced in September 2014, an into activities conducted over two seasons. yearly solidarity payments for -37% 20% - 42% €9m €8m €6m €7m monitoring and compliance unit collected extra €68m has been paid out to clubs. The chamber also opened investigations into implementing the UEFA club €5m €4m financial data on overdue payables and five national associations for alleged licensing system. In practical break-even information from The Club Financial Control Body breaches of club licensing obligations, and terms, the support included 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 approximately 700 top-division clubs. investigatory chamber met 11 times reviewed a voluntary agreement application assistance visits to six UEFA Strong increase in revenues As previously, the financial contributions from August 2017 to June 2018, and by one club. Four clubs were also reported member associations over the For the fourth time in five years, revenues increased at a faster rate than wages withheld and/or paid by clubs in a given was charged with applying and assessing for not fulfilling the club licensing criteria, course of the season. It staged 14.0% season under their settlement agreements the club licensing system in all 55 UEFA and another club for its overdue payables club licensing and financial were redistributed to the compliant clubs member associations, as well as during the 2017/18 season. fair play workshops in Italy, Before financial fair play, wage growth consistently outpaced Moldova, Montenegro and revenue growth each year Since financial fair play, revenue growth has Northern Ireland, and also outpaced wage growth in Financial fair play 9.4% four of the last five years 9.5% hosted representatives from the 9.1% introduction 8.9% South American confederation, 7.8% 8.6% 9.0% 6.9% Financial fair play: an update CONMEBOL, and the Asian 6.7% Football Confederation to 6.7% 6.7% 6.3% encourage knowledge sharing 6.0% 5.8% Figures for 2017 highlight the success The success of UEFA’s financial fair play prudent and controlled costs as part and assistance between the 5.1% of UEFA’s efforts to improve the activities was illustrated by figures of the financial fair play ecosystem. various confederations’ licensing 4.2% financial health of European clubs. showing that, for the first time on Overall, the financial results of administrations. To support 3.2% 3.2% 3.1% When the financial fair play rules record in 2017, European top-division European clubs have improved in the development of disability

first came into force, European club football was in the black. These each and every one of the six years access officers (a requirement 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 clubs were in a precarious financial figures, compiled by UEFA’s financial since the introduction of financial under Article 35bis of the Club Wages Revenues situation, with reported net losses sustainability and research division, fair play, with club balance sheets Licensing and Financial Fair Play of €1.7bn in the 2011 financial analysed the finances of 718 top- strengthening significantly (net Regulations) in football clubs and European top-division club football profitable (after transfers) for the first time year, in addition to high levels of division clubs in Europe, and covered equity doubling), and the net debt- national associations, meanwhile, The reported €0.6bn profits compare to losses of €1.7bn in 2011 when financial fair play profits was introduced Financial fair play €0.6 payables overdue to other football the period up to and including to-revenue ratio plunging from a Disability Access Officer (DAO) bn clubs, employees and social and tax December 2017. They showed a €600m 65% to 35%. The facts speak for Handbook was published in introduction authorities. The level of overdue combined profit for the clubs in 2017, themselves, and answer many of the September 2017 in collaboration 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 payables has dropped by more than which is an outstanding improvement critics who considered the project with UEFA’s social responsibility

80% since 2011. since 2011. too ambitious and challenging to partner, the Centre for Access to €0.3 2017 bn The latest figures show positive implement. The results also explain Football in Europe (CAFE). €0.5 developments in other areas as why the project continues to receive €0.6 bn losses bn €0.7 losses well, with 28 of the 54 top-division almost universal support among €0.8 bn losses bn leagues being profitable in 2017. This football stakeholders. losses losses highlights the success that financial It is, however, important for UEFA €1.1 €1.2 bn fair play has had since its inception, and the clubs to avoid complacency. bn losses when only eight were profitable. And to recognise financial fair play losses net assets Furthermore, European club football for what it is: a financial control €1.6 bn €1.7 net €7.7 bn assets bn had previously never added so system designed to reduce the worst losses net losses assets €6.7 much revenue in one year: a excesses, rather than an attempt to consecutive years bn €6.1 €1.6bn increase in 2017. This means make clubs more equal or address of improvement Strong club balance sheets net bn net assets European clubs now earn seven times other challenges faced by club Assets are €7.7bn higher assets than debts and liabilities. €4.9 more than 20 years ago. The fact football. The 2018 Club Licensing net €4.6 This compares with just bn net assets bn that revenues increased faster than and Financial Fair Play Regulations €1.9bn at the start of 2011 assets €3.8 wages for the fourth time in five years are the ideal that UEFA aims to € € €3.3 bn bn illustrates that clubs have remained strive for. net net net assets assets assets €1.9 €1.8 €1.9 –€1.7bn €600m bn bn bn club losses club profits

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

78 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 79 82 Working with LOCs OPERATING 86 Pitch manager 87 Ticketing THE GAME 88 Match for Solidarity 90 Marketing activities and sponsorship

94 Media rights and production services

95 Digital OPERATING THE GAME OPERATING THE GAME

As the reputation of UEFA’s youth competitions for improving the standard of football at Under-17 and Under-19 levels continues to grow, more and more national associations regard these events as an opportunity both to put the continent’s finest young footballers through their paces, and to strengthen their own credentials as host nations.

Up to ten national associations have been known to submit bids to host the same UEFA youth competition final tournament, which means that a strong and compelling bid dossier is crucial to gain UEFA’s seal of approval.

Four UEFA youth final tournaments at Under-17 and Under-19 levels were held during the 2017/18 season in the following host countries: Georgia (European Under-19 Championship, 2–15 July 2017), Northern Ireland (European Women’s Under-19 Championship, 8–20 August 2017), England (European Under-17 Championship, 4–20 May 2018) and Lithuania (European Women’s Under-17 Championship, 9–21 May 2018).

Each national association bidding to host any of these final tournaments was required to satisfy a number of criteria, including as regards the overall tournament concept, the association’s motivation to host the tournament, the long-term development and post-tournament legacy, WORKING WITH LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEES and the commitment of the host city or cities to staging the event. SUCCESS ON AND Another key consideration in the bidding process is the relationship between UEFA and the LOC, and how strong lines OFF THE PITCH of communication between the two can ensure that the tournament ultimately delivers.

UEFA invites future tournament organisers to play an active role in the running of the UEFA’s partnerships with local organising committees equivalent tournament the year before, (LOCs) resulted in another successful year of UEFA youth so as to facilitate a successful transfer of competitions, with men’s and women’s final tournaments experience from one host to another. taking place across Europe. The Georgian Football Federation – hosts of the European Under-19 Championship finals in 2017 – benefitted from such an arrangement during the staging of the 2016 final tournament in Germany.

82 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 83 OPERATING THE GAME OPERATING THE GAME

The legacies of these tournaments are a crucial component of UEFA’s vision and are perhaps most apparent in the context of women’s football. In Northern Ireland, coverage of the Women’s Under-19 final tournament was taken to new heights with expanded TV coverage and streaming of matches, alongside strong levels of engagement with local and international media.

For national associations such as What is more, UEFA’s youth competition The action on the pitch is, naturally, Lithuania and Georgia, meanwhile, final tournaments are increasingly influenced by the condition of that pitch, the legacy of hosting youth tournaments becoming well-attended affairs. Over and effective infrastructure is crucial to a can be felt through the long-term 50,000 spectators made their way to successful international youth tournament. knowledge gained in areas such as games during the Under-17 final round in Throughout the 2017/18 season, UEFA transport and accreditation. The effect England, with the hosts’ semi-final match worked with LOCs to improve local on domestic leagues cannot be against the Netherlands attracting a crowd infrastructure and guarantee high underestimated either, as organisational of nearly 8,000. Even with low ticket prices standards of organisation and delivery. methods and best practices are passed – junior tickets were available for as little as down to club level. £2 – net ticketing revenue alone amounted At the Gori Stadium in Georgia, for to more than £50,000. TV coverage was example, a brand-new floodlighting While not all youth players go on to similarly impressive, with 1m viewers tuning system was installed before the start of enjoy professional careers in football, these in for the final, and matches being the Under-19 final tournament, while tournaments are still a chance for them to broadcast in more than 100 territories. at Lithuania’s Siauliai Central Stadium, compete against and interact with peers the players’ changing rooms were from diverse backgrounds, and for many As well as the immediate benefits, these refurbished in time for the Women’s it is their first experience of travelling tournaments provide a perfect platform for Under-17 finals. abroad. At the Women’s Under-19 finals LOCs to test processes and procedures that in Northern Ireland, a players’ party at can be implemented at future events, and Significant improvements were made in Culloden Estate allowed the girls to take give the staff of national associations the Northern Ireland as well, with the pitch at their minds off football for a couple of opportunity to gain vital experience in the Ballymena Showground enlarged prior hours and socialise with the other teams. large-scale tournament organisation. to the Women’s Under-19 final round. A special train was chartered for all the The English FA, for example, is looking to teams, officials and staff members to get apply some key lessons from hosting the The effects of improvements to them to the venue in time for the party. European Under-17 final tournament when infrastructure like these will be felt long it comes to organising EURO 2020 matches. after the final whistle has been blown. Education, integrity and respect are cornerstones of UEFA’s youth tournaments, and these core tenets were promoted by the LOCs in various ways, including through the use of tournament ambassadors and mascots, promotional campaigns on digital and social media channels, and grassroots activities, among many others.

In order to maximise the educational value of such tournaments for the young players taking part, integrity seminars covering topics such as anti-match manipulation and anti-doping were organised for all the teams taking part. The participating national associations also worked closely with schools to ensure that players did not fall behind with their lessons while away at tournaments abroad.

84 85 OPERATING THE GAME OPERATING THE GAME

TICKETING TICKETING GOES HIGH TECH PITCH MANAGER

UEFA’s ticketing team implemented a more streamlined and sophisticated ticketing SETTING system ahead of UEFA EURO 2020.

As well as overseeing the development of the stadium plan in the ticketing system, to The insourcing of customer services, which THE STAGE a new blockchain app to deliver mobile ensure that the same seat is not sold twice. are now managed solely by email, has also tickets (see below), UEFA’s ticketing team Meanwhile, UEFA marked 1,000 days to go led to huge improvements in dealing with spent the 2017/18 season preparing the until UEFA EURO 2020 in September 2017 the needs of supporters. While in the past, The pitch manager is one of the ticketing system for UEFA EURO 2020. by inviting fans to register their interest in customer service providers were sourced unsung heroes of a UEFA showpiece With the tournament being played in 12 purchasing tickets for the tournament. At for each event, these services are now final, tasked with ensuring the perfect different cities all over Europe, the aim was the time of writing, 100,000 fans from handled by UEFA centrally, providing the platform for the footballing product to enhance the system to give fans the more than 150 countries had done so. same standard and quality for all matches. we see screened across the globe. chance to purchase tickets through one unique portal on EURO2020.com. On the club competition side, the UEFA In order to successfully carry out all its tasks Moreover, the new system will be capable ticketing team was instrumental in the and responsibilities, the UEFA ticketing of processing different VAT rates and other success of the 2017/18 UEFA club team grew from 5 to 12 members during Preparing for a UEFA There are many unsung heroes who work to These include organising one-on-one country-specific elements when dealing competition finals. The UEFA Super Cup the 2017/18 season, with further additions Champions League final create the spectacle that millions enjoy every meetings with all pitch-related competence with ticket orders. The developments have in Skopje, the UEFA Europa League final in expected in 2018/19. year at the European club finals. One of centres to gain a full understanding of their now been completed, and the system is Lyon and the UEFA Champions League final these is the pitch manager. This is a job that needs in a specific stadium for a specific undergoing final tests in time for the first in Kyiv all sold out in rapid time, allowing entails working on-site at a venue, gaining final. In addition to the two mentioned 29 ticket sales in June 2019. UEFA’s ticketing huge numbers of fans to enjoy the occasion working days a swift understanding of the stadium at previously, the main competence centres team also visited 11 of the 12 EURO 2020 and create a great atmosphere inside pitch-side level, the quality of the pitch, and are: football operations, TV production, venues to accurately mark every seat on the stadiums. the work done by the groundkeepers and media operations, ceremonies, technical 2 7 the local organising committee (LOC), services, signage, sponsor operations, ICT site visits days bringing all necessary conditions together. and the relevant stadium operator to attend on site counterparts. In 2018, three pitch managers were Ticketing made smart appointed for the UEFA Europa League Another important part of the job is to 10 final, UEFA Champions League final and organise a cluster meeting with the event months of planning the UEFA Super Cup. project leader and all pitch-related UEFA is always in search of new ways on sale to the general public. By competence centres to anticipate and clarify to improve the efficiency of ticket downloading a blockchain-based The pitch managers assigned to Lyon, Kyiv any potential clash or overlap. For instance, sales and distribution, particularly by dedicated iOS and Android app, and Tallinn respectively were tasked with if the technical services team is required to close contact with access management and embracing the latest technological fans could open the app on creating a trustworthy pitch map to install cabling around the pitch, input should safety, security and services, and helping to developments. For the UEFA Europa their mobile phones, switch on distribute to all stakeholders. In close be sought from TV production, media maintain an adequate level of stewarding League final in Lyon, UEFA sought to Bluetooth and gain access cooperation with two other UEFA operations and football operations teams around the pitch. make its ticket distribution process to the Parc Olympique competence centres – safety, security and before deciding on the best location. This is safer and simpler by designing, Lyonnais. services and access management – the then coordinated by the pitch manager. It is, in short, a non-stop task, with the developing and implementing a Following the success of pitch managers ensured that local safety pitch manager acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ bespoke blockchain-based ticket the test event in Lyon, plans regulations were complied with on the pitch Other essential tasks include organising and of the event project leader from the days distribution system, providing were put in place to fully map (evacuation routes, emergency gates, leading the pitch organisational meeting(s); heading up to the match through the a secure service for fans and implement the system for the access channels), including the positioning attending all rehearsals (for the opening pre-match activities (including the opening preventing the replication and UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn in of the medical and emergency services ceremony, players’ walk-on, handshake ceremony), to the match itself and, finally, duplication of tickets. August 2018, with all match tickets around the pitch. procedures, trophy presentation and cup the post-match activities (including the cup This test involved half of the sold to the general public processed ceremony); coordinating the pre-/post- ceremony). There is no medal at the end UEFA Europa League final tickets through blockchain. There are many responsibilities in the match activities; managing and distributing of it, but plenty of satisfaction for a job lead-up to a UEFA showpiece event. additional pitch-access devices; maintaining well done.

86 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 87 OPERATING THE GAME

MATCH FOR SOLIDARITY 12/12/2017: Press release and In addition to being streamed live over announcement of the captains, DELIVERING UEFA channels, the match was broadcast coaches and match referee live on 13 TV channels in Europe, Asia and South America. This required outside 21/01/2018: Security strategy A UNIQUE broadcast vans and UEFA TV production delivered to authorities staff to be on-site the day before the match, so that cables could be installed 13/02/2018: Press conference CHARITY and cameras positioned. at the UN Office at Geneva to announce the start of ticket sales EVENT As matchday arrived, security guards started locking down the stadium’s outer 21/03/2018: Opening of media perimeter. The accreditation desk opened accreditation soon afterwards to verify IDs and distribute passes to all volunteers, media 02/04/2018: Opening of online representatives, and catering and service auction The successful staging of staff. With kick-off approaching, fans were the inaugural UEFA-United able to buy last-minute tickets either from 20/04/2018: Matchday -1 press Nations Match for Solidarity the on-site ticket booth or using a conference at the Grand Hotel highlighted the importance smartphone app that delivered e-tickets Kempinski in Geneva of an efficient and well-drilled straight to their devices, while local police operations process. officers locked down the streets around the 21/04/2018: Match for Solidarity stadium to allow fans safe access. and gala dinner

After the match, 250 guests were invited 21/09/2018: Final accounts and Recognising football’s power to unite to attend a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel books closing people all over the world, one of UEFA’s Kempinski, where the UEFA president and key aims is to use the immense popularity the director general of the United Nations of the game as a means to bring about Office at Geneva (UNOG), Michael Møller, social change. gave speeches. Highlights of the evening While a bumper crowd of 23,654 fans security forces, along with suppliers and match. A signage team was deployed included a group of autistic children, who The inaugural UEFA-United Nations Match made it a hugely successful first Match for service providers. on-site a few days before the event to delivered a thank-you message to the and donations – helped UEFA raise a total for Solidarity in April 2018 was therefore Solidarity – helped by the low ticket prices, prepare the Stade de Genève, decorate it donors, and disabled pan flute player of €684,000, which was redistributed to an opportunity for UEFA to reaffirm its which could be bought for as little as The match itself featured the usual with the official event branding, and install Michel Tirabosco, who performed a version the UEFA Foundation for Children to commitment to changing the world for 10 Swiss francs – none of it would have on-site functions expected at a regular directions and LED boards around the pitch. of the UEFA Champions League anthem. support local and international charities. the better. been possible without months of careful UEFA event. Behind the scenes, however, To keep costs to a minimum, creative planning, preparation and organisation. a comprehensive security strategy had to solutions were found so that some material The dinner was followed by the auction Last but not least, the active voluntary The Match for Solidarity is a continuation be prepared and submitted to the Geneva was recycled from previous events, while proceedings, comprising a digital auction, contribution of around 100 UEFA staff of the Match Against Poverty, a charity This included close collaboration between a authorities before the event was given the printed documents for the match, the which went online a few weeks before the along with some UN staff (who joined on event organised from 2003 to 2015 under number of different partners: UEFA and the green light, while logistics were organised auction and the dinner were produced in event and was open to bidders from matchday) was instrumental to the delivery the patronage of the United Nations UN to lead the project, the main venues for the players, coaches and referees UEFA’s internal printing centre. Suppliers around the world, and a silent and live of the event. Some of these volunteers Development Programme, with support (the stadium, the official hotel, the UN involved in the match. also made a significant effort by cutting auction, both of which took place at the became involved in areas where they had from UEFA and FIFA. Under its new guise, Office at Geneva), Geneva airport to ensure their margins on products and/or services, dinner. The entire Match for Solidarity event no prior experience. the 2018 event saw two star-studded teams the smooth arrival of fans and guests, local With help from its regular partners, donating them or invoicing them at cost. – the match, sponsorship, auction, dinner captained by Portuguese star Luís Figo authorities, public safety bodies and UEFA organised flights to Geneva and The Match for Solidarity required the and Brazilian legend Ronaldinho go local transfers within the city, and the involvement of many divisions, units and head-to-head at the Stade de Genève Grand Hotel Kempinski provided guests domains of expertise within UEFA such as in Switzerland. “Football can play a vital with rooms, as one of the event’s official project management, legal affairs, finance, role in improving lives. sponsors. UEFA’s legal affairs division marketing, sponsorship, communication, What made the Match for Solidarity also drafted numerous contracts, service TV production, travel and accommodation, different from its predecessor was its The Match for Solidarity agreements, purchase orders and a guest management, ticketing, safety and comprehensive and multifaceted concept, has demonstrated just how memorandum of understanding in security, match operations, refereeing, and featuring not just the match itself, but our sport can act as a force advance of the match. services. This willingness on the part of the also a gala dinner and a unique digital UEFA staff to support a good cause beyond football auction. Appealing to a wide for social good.” Once logistics issues outside the stadium the scope of their daily duties went a long audience, this approach contributed to Aleksander Čeferin had been taken care of, there was still the way to making the first Match for Solidarity its success. UEFA President small matter of preparing the venue for the a success.

88 89 OPERATING THE GAME OPERATING THE GAME

MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORSHIP NEW NAMES SIGN UP FOR NEW CHAPTER

With a fresh cycle of UEFA club competitions and the UEFA Nations League kicking off, the marketing division sealed sponsorship agreements with a number of new partners.

90 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 91 OPERATING THE GAME Sponsors for 2015-18 cycle

The approach of a new cycle for the UEFA joining Amstel, FedEx, Hankook and respectively, while Alipay were warmly Champions League and UEFA Europa Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which all renewed welcomed as the latest national team League meant that the marketing division their sponsorship of the competition for football sponsor, in the payment system was busy completing sponsorship the 2018–21 cycle. category. UEFA Champions League agreements during the 2017/18 period. Heineken, Gazprom, Nissan, Booking.com, meanwhile, becomes the The arrival of the UEFA Nations League has Mastercard, Sony PlayStation, The 2018–21 UEFA Champions League official accommodation and attractions brought other fresh challenges, and brand, PepsiCo, UniCredit cycle is marked by the successful renewal booking partner for all men’s national team trophy and graphics packages were all of Heineken, Nissan, PepsiCo, Mastercard, events, including UEFA EURO 2020. This delivered in advance of the start of the Gazprom and PlayStation as partners, partnership will bring travel experience to a new competition. Whereas this competition while Banco Santander and Expedia different level by helping fans to easily plan represents a new adventure, the UEFA Group become new UEFA Champions and organise their trips to and around the Champions League’s popularity is long League partners. 12 EURO 2020 host cities. established – and the UEFA Champions League trophy tour serves to underline its UEFA Europa League Banco Santander allows the UEFA UEFA EURO 2020 will place the most worldwide allure. The 2018 tour, presented FedEx, Hankook, UniCredit, Champions League to further engage rigorous demands on mobility, and UEFA’s by Heineken, began in Mexico in March Amstel, Enterprise Rent-A-Car with football fans in Latin America and new deal with Volkswagen, with its and continued to Ivory Coast, Paraguay, elsewhere around the world, while Expedia considerable experience in football, , and, finally, Ethiopia. Group offers exciting opportunities for will therefore be of great benefit to The tour was supported by an impressive UEFA to expand its digital offering. the tournament. cast of former winners: Fernando Morientes, , Míchel All agreements include the UEFA Super UEFA are delighted to confirm that Socar Salgado, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Carles Cup, UEFA Youth League and the renamed and Hisense have renewed their national Puyol and Ronaldinho. The official UEFA UEFA Futsal Champions League. For the team football partnerships for the Champions League final viewing parties UEFA Europa League, Kia Motors becomes forthcoming 2018–22 cycle, in the energy also provided an exclusive and engaging a new partner for the next three seasons, and electronic goods categories experience for fans in Brazil and .

Licensing: collective boost from collectables

The commercialisation process was doubled, and even those associations launched for collectables (sticker that previously generated no albums, trading cards, etc.) for the revenue from collectables will now 2018–22 period, with 48 of the 55 UEFA earn at least €50,000. The marketing ≥100% member associations signing up. In division’s objective for 2022–26 is rise of collectables revenues the process, the national associations’ to have all 55 member associations for member associations revenue from collectables has at least taking part. (2018-22)

UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 93 OPERATING THE GAME OPERATING THE GAME

DIGITAL

UEFA’s digital offering enters newIhicabor era eperatempe mi, ut ea dolorit, omnihil maio The marketing division’s newest unit continues to innovate with the launch of theoccab UEFA Digital inctio Hive et project. Name Title The new 2018–21 club competition Additional digital services for 49m minutes of live streaming (4.3m cycle signalled the launch of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA views) and more than 295m minutes of UEFA’s cross-competition Digital Europa League, UEFA Nations League on-demand video (119.5m views) were Hive content aggregation tool. and European Qualifiers were all watched on UEFA.tv (YouTube) during Operating as a complete centralised defined and communicated to UEFA this period. content acquisition, management, broadcast partners and sponsors. Viewers in ‘unsold’ markets (i.e. in publication and distribution solution Invitations to tender (ITT) – including those territories where UEFA did not operating across all platforms, one for a UEFA.tv over-the-top (OTT) have a broadcast partner, or where broadcast partners will now be concept – went out to the market and UEFA sold the rights on a ‘co-exclusive’ provided with more content a consultation process was completed basis) were able to watch the UEFA from each matchnight, faster to identify potential providers. Youth League (39 matches than ever before, through this UEFA’s digital strategy was also in total), UEFA Women’s Champions innovative media server. on the agenda of the Marketing League final, UEFA Futsal Cup (two Advisory Committee, which met semi-finals, the third-place match twice during the period under review, and the final), the semi-finals and in November 2017 and April 2018. finals of the UEFA European Under-19 The presentation of the strategy Championship, UEFA European was well received by the committee Women’s Under-19 Championship members, who were asked to consider and UEFA European Women’s Under-17 offering ‘digital centralisation’ Championship, and the UEFA-UN Match (production, service provision For Solidarity. and UEFA.tv) to all UEFA member The UEFA Champions League and associations. UEFA Europa League draws were also The committee also received a streamed globally, receiving 3.8m and MEDIA RIGHTS AND PRODUCTION SERVICES presentation on e-sport and was in 850,000 views respectively, and more favour of a national e-sport concept, than 20m and 3.5m minutes of watch with a concrete proposal to be time respectively. The UEFA Nations presented at a future meeting. League league phase draw – also BROADCAST SUCCESS AND shown live and as video-on-demand – UEFA.tv on YouTube received nearly 1m views, with over MEDIA RIGHTS MILESTONES In terms of digital output, more than 800,000 minutes of watch time.

UEFA’s coverage of its main club The host broadcast operation for the UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv was a highlight competitions, the UEFA Champions League of a profitable year, among many others. and UEFA Europa League, as well as the European Qualifiers, included all the draws plus more than 180 hours of additional Revenue achievements programming for UEFA Champions League Over the course of 2017/18, UEFA’s For both the UEFA Champions League If that was an achievement of note, broadcast partners, and 130 hours for UEFA rights-holding broadcast partners televised final and the UEFA Super Cup match, it was not the only one. The previous Europa League partners. Additionally, 1,854 513 matches in the UEFA Champions the UEFA media rights and production summer, the team oversaw the successful hours of digital content was made available €3.2bn €663k €1.9bn media rights and sales for UEFA Futsal for the 2018-2022 League, UEFA Europa League and European services team took charge of the full host delivery of 31 matches during UEFA to broadcast partners in 2017/18 (including € sponsorship for EURO 2018 national team Qualifiers alone. Across the season, the broadcast operations, while the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 in the Netherlands 1,110 hours for the UEFA Europa League). UCL and UEL per football portfolio UEFA Champions League notched up an Europa League final was delivered by in conjunction with the host broadcaster, season in 2018-2021 (Nations League, average global matchday audience of 129m French broadcaster M6, working in Eurosport. Just days after that event Preparations for the UEFA Nations League European Qualifiers, friendly matches) viewers, and the UEFA Europa League an close conjunction with the UEFA team. concluded, the 2017/18 UEFA club were another focal point for the team. 200% average of 43m. The showcase UEFA All three finals were delivered using a competition season began, with UEFA Key milestones included the draw for the 34% increase compared increase compared Champions League final between Real single dual-format HD and UHD/4K conducting the host broadcast operation league phase in January 2018, the unveiling with 2015–2018 with the 2016 final Madrid CF and Liverpool FC in Kyiv outside broadcast van, with 40 cameras for the 2017 UEFA Super Cup game of the brand identity (a dynamic, colourful tournament achieved a total audience of 160m – 29m installed at the NSC Olimpiyskyi capturing between Real Madrid CF and Manchester flag and the motto ‘Every game counts’), more than for the Super Bowl LII. every moment of the match. United FC in Skopje. and a broadcast partner workshop.

94 UEFA ANNUAL REPORT | 2017/18 95 OPERATING THE GAME

Matches Goals Average Cumulative played scored attendance audience

125 401 45,919 2bn From group stage on

205 556 22,182 642m From group stage on

31 68 7,744 177.8m

1 3 30,421 46.8m

20 91 4,544 23.7m

15 39 3,580 15m

167 566 1,079 10.2m

31 73 1,855 4.1m

16 52 1,152 3.1m

61 212 2,494 1.9m Final match

THE SEASON IN STATS 16 61 704 683.6k

A comprehensive list of key statistics from the elite club competitions and national team competitions during the reported period, which generated a total cumulative audience of almost 3 billion. 76 491 1,095 396.4k Final four matches

96 Photos: UEFA, Getty Images, Sportsfile, Keystone, UEFA member associations Setting: Touchline Printing: Artgraphic Cavin, Grandson, Switzerland UEFA Route de Genѐve 46 CH-1260 Nyon 2 Switzerland