no 11 – february 2003 Congress in the spotlight the in Congress federationdynamic A Corfu Refereein courses Project and Cup Meridian Congress in the spotlight the in Congress federationdynamic A Corfu Refereein courses Project and Cup Meridian 2.03 06 03 06 03 10 10 13 13 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Italian Football Federation 10 The EURO 2004 qualifiers resume Identical requests by parties 12 in March, and the national teams, Meridian Cup in Egypt 05 including Spain (Raul, in red) and European Club Forum 15 Germany (Jens Jeremies), were busy Referee courses in Corfu 06 preparing themselves in February. News from PHOTO: BONGARTS Footballer migration 08 member associations 17

unitededitorial against racism! The proliferation of international transfers and, in particular, of intercontinental transfers can have the positive effect of giving supporters the opportunity to get to know something about people from another culture and perhaps also of another colour. This, combined with the development of home-grown players from minority communities, has helped to produce a multicultural mix in the world of football. In many instances this has helped to challenge prejudice and improve understanding. However, this is not always the case. Unfortunately, racist incidents still frequently rear their ugly heads in the form of banners or crowd behaviour, abuse of players and insults hurled by players on the field. UEFA has been making a determined effort to eradicate racism for a long while, through disciplinary sanctions, by initia- tives such as our ten-point plan of action, launched at the end of last year, and by offering financial support to the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) organisation. UEFA realises that its action against this scourge of society is only one part of the picture, which is why we are pushing for a con- certed effort on the part of all those concerned. The European conference on racism being organised by UEFA in London at the beginning of March is a step in that direction. UEFA is joining forces with FARE and to co-ordinate the event. Representatives of the national associations, leagues, clubs, supporters’ groups and the police will come together to raise awareness of racism, share experiences and propose solutions. The first of its kind in European football, this conference is not an end in itself but rather a means to an end and the start of a campaign that should concern each and everyone of us. Players from other continents are an ever Gerhard Aigner familiar sight on the Chief Executive football fields of Europe.

EMPICS we care about football

02 uefadirect 2.03 The Meridian Cup is an opportunity to make friends and discover another continent. HASAN HASAN JAMALI

twoMeridian new direct Project partners

AS A PRELUDE TO THE MERIDIAN CUP, THE MERIDIAN BOARD In Cairo, the Meridian Board MET ON 24 JANUARY AT THE NEW CAIRO HEADQUARTERS OF THE reiterated its belief in the usefulness AFRICAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION (CAF). of this collaboration and the need One of the objectives of the the main aim was to provide the for it to continue. It also expressed meeting, which was chaired by CAF association with its own headquarters, support for the idea of extending President Issa Hayatou and UEFA First and this was also achieved. bilateral relations between national Vice-President Senes Erzik, was to Collaboration with the Cape associations from UEFA on the review co-operation between the two Verde FA was split into three phases. one hand and CAF on the other. continental confederations and the Since the country is made up of It also hoped that the Afro-European direct aid provided over the past two several islands, priority was given to co-operation programme could years to the Cape Verde and São communication as each regional asso- be better co-ordinated with FIFA’s Tomé e Principe football associations. ciation was equipped with computers, development programmes. In the case of São Tomé e Principe, telephones and fax machines. Vehicles As far as direct aid from the first phase of direct aid provided (coaches, minibuses) were also UEFA is concerned, two new national equipment for 67 youth teams, purchased. The focus of the second associations (Ethiopia and the Central around 500 plastic balls, referee phase was on development, with the African Republic) were chosen to equipment, first aid supplies and a provision of equipment for players benefit from the European confedera- photocopier and fax machine for the and referees, stadium facilities and tion’s support in 2003 and 2004. secretariat. In the second phase, first aid supplies. The third phase was Finally, the Meridian Board assistance was offered in the IT sec- devoted to training, with courses confirmed that, in accordance with the tor, vehicles were provided and train- in the fields of coaching, medicine alternation principle, the next Meridian ing courses organised. However, and administration. Cup would be held in Europe in 2005. The Ajax The players Burkina Faso showed their team. support of the Red Cross campaign. ICRC HASAN JAMALI gala match Egyptianin winning Cairo goal

THE GAME BETWEEN AFC AJAX AMSTERDAM AND EGYPTIAN TEAM

AL-AHLY RAISED THE CURTAIN TO THE 4TH MERIDIAN CUP. THE MATCH WAS PLAYED

PHOTOS: CICR PHOTOS: ON 24 JANUARY IN THE CAIRO NATIONAL STADIUM IN FRONT The Cairo national stadium was filled to capacity for the gala match. OF MANY DIGNITARIES, INCLUDING UEFA FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT SENES ERZIK,

UEFA CEO GERHARD AIGNER AND CAF PRESIDENT ISSA HAYATOU.

A colourful and lively crowd score in the 24th minute, a lead of 30,000 came to watch the gala that the Amsterdam side took into match, 10,000 of whom were already the dressing room at half-time. in the stadium two hours before kick- In the second half, Ajax off to cheer for the local team. soon began dominating the field, Al-Ahly, also known as the taking total control of midfield. “Red Devils”, had shown in the past Their efforts eventually paid divi- that they feared no one on their home dends in the 70th minute, when a

PHOTOS: ICRC PHOTOS: ground, even high-calibre squads such long ball from Nourdin Boukhari as Real Madrid or AS Roma. However, found Mido in the box. The Egyptian the “Red Devils” were to lose their striker controlled well on his chest recent unbeaten streak against Euro- and managed to hustle the ball past pean squads, with Egyptian Ahmed Khashaba to give his side a 2-0 lead. “Mido” Hossam scoring AFC Ajax’s Only two minutes later, Wael Gomaa winning goal. Mido was undoubtedly opened the score for the “Red Devils” the player to watch, and despite the with a goal which set the Ahly stands fact that he used to wear the colours ablaze, with the fans spurring their of Zamalek, Al-Ahly’s rivals in the team on for an equaliser, which was Egyptian championship, he was well not however to be. received by the local supporters. This opener to the Meridian Both teams tried to Cup match also served to draw adopt a positive approach, public attention to the campaign of but it was a defensive fix- the International Committee of the ture with little space for Red Cross (ICRC) to protect the child the attackers on view, victims of war. Speeches were made and despite the friendly and pennants and T-shirts distributed nature of the con- to highlight the fact that the 2003 test, it was a very Meridian Cup was dedicated to this intense match. particular ICRC campaign. UEFA Ajax Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner also

ICRC Tomás Galásek paid a visit to the headquarters of opened the the Egyptian Red Crescent.

Mido, Ajax’s Egyptian striker. 04 uefadirect 2.03 Spain The Switzerland vs Egypt. prize-giving vs Mali. ceremony. HASAN HASAN JAMALI AP HASAN JAMALI four wins another European win for Spain Meridian Cup Although the Meridian Cup is now won by a continent rather than a single team, the regulations ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE AFRICAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION (CAF) still make provision for the team which obtains the most points to be TH AND UEFA, THE 4 MERIDIAN CUP WAS WON BY THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT honoured. As was the case in Bari two years ago, Spain once again out- IN A SUNNY EGYPTIAN TOURNAMENT PLAYED IN EXCELLENT CONDITIONS performed the rest and even bettered their points total of 2001 (10) this FROM 25 JANUARY TO 1 FEBRUARY. time round, by winning all four of their matches and clocking up the maximum total of 12 points, scoring Europe’s representatives, Olympic Village. The atmosphere 16 goals and conceding just one in Switzerland, France, England and is fantastic”, said Nigerian defender the process. Europe’s four represen- Spain, collected 36 points, leaving the Nkem Ovunwo. “The Meridian Cup tatives again came away with a remarkable record, with none of them African teams, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, is special because it’s Africa actually losing a match. Mali and hosts Egypt, with six against Europe, which makes points between them. This is it a very prestigious tourna- the second time that Europe ment for us to compete in.” has won the competition since Some of the partici- the new format was introduced pants even exchanged last time round, when the tour- addresses and hope to meet nament was staged in Bari, again in the future. Swiss Italy. Under the new format, the com- defender Arnaud Bühler hooked up

petition is played as a round robin, with Burkina Faso’s Mustapha Diallo AP with each European team facing each in this way. “We hope to stay in con- On the African side, Burkina African nation once. tact and I will do my best to help Faso finished in the best position. However, the Meridian Cup is Mustapha to come to Europe. Spain were also on the receiving end not just about winning; it is also Playing in the Meridian Cup not of some of the other awards at stake, about friendship and cultural exchange only gave me the chance to play namely for top scorer (Jonathan Sori- between the participants from the against African teams for the first ano) and best goalkeeper (Gabriel Ribas). The fair play trophy was won two continents. In any other youth time but also made me under- by France. tournament organised by UEFA, stand that the Africans are play- The appreciable crowds the teams are accommodated in sepa- ing with fewer means than us, (some 5,000 attended the Egypt vs rate hotels, but to emphasise the and for that they deserve a great Switzerland match) enjoyed matches importance of friendship among the deal of respect.” which were gen- erally attack- participants, the teams involved in ing in style, the Meridian Cup stay in the same as reflected place. This year, all eight delegations by the average stayed at the Olympic Village in of 2.5 goals per Ismailia, 150 km north of Cairo, on match. the banks of the Suez Canal. On the rest days, the players had plenty of opportunities to make new friends, including on a trip on the Nile and a visit to the famous pyramids. The participants were also able to use the facilities of the The captains resort, from the swimming pool to of the four European teams.

the gym. “It’s great to be in the AP Werner Helsen (in white) prepares the participants for action. UEFA referee courses hungryin to Corfu do well PHOTOS: UEFA PHOTOS: IN THE MIDST OF WINTER, MANY FOOTBALLERS LIKE NOTHING BETTER THAN The referees in the classroom... TO GET AWAY TO WARMER CLIMES TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE SECOND HALF

OF THE SEASON. EUROPE’S TOP REFEREES ARE NO DIFFERENT, AND THE GREEK

ISLAND OF CORFU PROVIDED AN IDEAL SETTING FOR THE ANNUAL UEFA REFEREE

COURSES AT THE END OF JANUARY.

UEFA invited 29 elite-class Training and practical elements referees – many of whom took part in The courses combined training last year’s FIFA World Cup – and and practical elements. The referees 21 first-class referees to Corfu for the were not only tested for their fitness, eleventh UEFA Advanced Course for but also had the chance to discuss Top and First-Class Referees. In addi- present items of concern with members tion, a group of 52 newcomers to of UEFA’s Referees Committee, all of the European international refereeing whom were in Corfu to give presenta- scene travelled to this idyllic venue tions at the courses and exchange for the 12th UEFA Introductory Course ideas and proposals with the referees. for International Referees, to receive Another recent innovation by briefings about their new duties UEFA in this sector has been to hold the as match officials for UEFA games, advanced and introductory courses at and to prove their fitness for taking the same time, as this gives the charge of high-pressure games at young newcomers to the European the highest level. scene the chance to rub shoulders with experienced referees of the calibre of Italy’s , who reached the refereeing summit last year when he was appointed to take charge of the FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.

Fitness test As much of northern Europe was hit by the first heavy snow of the winter, spring-like sunshine greeted the new European referees for their fitness test at the Kerkyra stadium. Under the supervision of UEFA’s referee fitness experts Werner Helsen – who prepares detailed training programmes for Europe’s top referees – and Jean-Baptist Bultynck, the referees had to run a ... and out on the training ground. minimum 2,700 metres in 12 minutes,

06 uefadirect 2.03 The elite and first category referees. UEFA UEFA

two 50-metre sprints in a maximum Fighting racism Credit to UEFA 7.5 seconds per sprint, and two 200- UEFA took the opportunity to “Referees are really a team, metre sprints in a maximum 32 seconds urge the referees to make a full contri- and a team only wins if all of the per sprint. bution to the fight against racism in parts do their job”, said Pierluigi All of the “rookies” came football. “You will have seen and Collina. “To do the job, the key word through the fitness test successfully, heard racism expressed in its various is preparation – fortunately, UEFA and some of them displayed the pace forms at matches in which you have is giving the referees every support and stamina of top-flight middle- officiated”, UEFA’s competition opera- to be able to prepare in the best distance runners or sprinters. To sur- tions director Jacob Erel told them. possible way”, Referees Committee vive in today’s high-pace game, refer- “Chanting, in particular against black member Ken Ridden concluded the ees have to be fitter then ever. “It’s players, the harassment of players, course by giving the top referees a glow- pleasing to see just how fit they are”, referees and spectators, and banners. ing reference. “The Referees said Referees Committee member José If you see a banner as a referee, Committee has tremen- Maria Garçia-Aranda, himself a leading please draw this to the attention of dous faith in you referee only a few short years ago. the match delegate.” as individuals “They’re obviously hungry to do well.” – we know English test you Specific training UEFA requires its interna- are fit, Meanwhile, the elite referees tional referees to learn English and we did not take the full fitness test this to an adequate standard, know you year. They undertook a specific training and the introductory are firm and session with Werner Helsen, in which course participants in impartial”, he their fitness preparation was checked. Corfu took an English told them. “We have For the refereeing “crème de la crème”, test in which they were to be looking for fitness routines and rigorous dietary asked to write a discipli- quality, and we know programmes are a way of life. You have nary report of a match incident. that we have quality to look after yourself if you want to UEFA does not expect each referee in Europe. We feel keep up with the Zinedine Zidanes and to have a “Shakespearian” knowl- that you are a Roberto Carloses of this world... edge of English – but they should credit to UEFA.” have a sufficient grasp of English The UEFA Current issues to be able to communicate Referees Committee Away from the running track important matters in their issued a set of guide- and gymnasium, the referees took part dealings with UEFA. lines and recommenda- in a series of discussions and presenta- Referees certainly tions for European tions on current issues on and off the deserve greater respect from referees after the Corfu field. New referees were shown how players, coaches and the courses. These recommen- to complete a referee’s report and media – a point emphasised dations and guidelines can prepare for a UEFA match – the latter by Völker Roth (Germany), be found in the “Training advice coming from Portugal’s Vitor Chairman of the UEFA Ref- Ground” section of the Melo Pereira, himself the UEFA Cup erees Committee. “For me, official UEFA website, final referee last May, and now a UEFA respect is a question of edu- .com. (www.uefa.com/ Referees Committee member. cation, and there is not enough trainingground). Technical discussions examined respect for referees at the topics such as the standard application moment”, he said. “Around Europe,

EMPICS Like his fellow of the Laws of the Game, uniform the most criticism is for referees. If a participants, Kyros Vassaras decision-making on unfair challenges, player misses a clear goal, it is writ- is ready for his next and the necessity for referees to use ten about less than when a referee assignment. their personality to take charge of foot- makes a human mistake – this is ball matches. unfair on referees.” vs Croatia (right) in the 1998 in the colours World Cup. of Borussia Mönchengladbach. FLASH PRESS footballer themigration Romanian example

THE MIGRATION OF FOOTBALLERS TO CLUBS PLAYING IN THE TOP EUROPEAN

LEAGUES IS NOT A NEW PHENOMENON. IT HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN HAMPERED FOR

MANY YEARS BY ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS (SUCH AS AGE RESTRICTIONS ON

THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK ABROAD) AND TECHNICAL OBSTACLES SUCH AS LIMITS

Gheorghe ON THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN PLAYERS PER CLUB. Popescu in the colours of his country. The break-up of the for- memories. and mer Soviet Union and the liberalism even finished their which it triggered, together with careers abroad in Mexico. the Bosman ruling in the west, have accelerated player migration Successes and failures to the extent that poorer countries Romanian players who are now finding it hard to prevent have joined clubs abroad have expe- their best players moving rienced varying levels of success. abroad. Here, our correspondent has enjoyed a EMPICS George Gisca looks at the example long, distinguished career despite of Romania. playing for no less than five Euro- Since 1990, an enormous pean clubs (PSV Eindhoven, Totten- number of Romanian players have ham Hotspur, Barcelona, Galatasaray moved to foreign climes to pursue and Lecce). He was even appointed their careers. Most have joined clubs captain of Barç,a, a rare honour for a in the top European leagues (Italy, player born outside Catalonia! Spain, England, Germany, France, Hagi shone with the Romanian Netherlands, etc.), although others national team, but for various reasons have had no hesitation in signing for never really found his best form at Ukrainian, Russian, Hungarian, Real Madrid or Barcelona. In contrast, Moldovan, Korean, Japanese and he did well at Brescia, in Italy, and even Chinese clubs. For those who ended his career on a high in Istan- have tried their luck in the smaller bul, becoming the “sultan of leagues, the move has sometimes Galatasaray”. Successful careers have been a step backwards in career also been (or are being) enjoyed by terms, but a small step forward from Lupescu (eight seasons in Germany, is a highly-coveted player. a financial point of view. Many have where he played for Bayer Leverkusen returned home before the end of and Borussia Mönchengladbach), their contract, bringing with them Filipescu (now in his fifth season with neither regrets nor particularly fond Betis of ), Gâlca (Mallorca, EMPICS 08 uefadirect 2.03 Gloria Bistrita Dan (Sorin Bucuroaia, Petrescu left) were knocked (left), out by Lille playing (Nicolas Bonnal) for Chelsea in the 2002 UEFA against Intertoto Cup. S.S. Lazio. BONGARTS FLASH PRESS

Espanyol and Villareal), Craïoveanu dan (Atlético de Madrid and Glasgow (Real Sociedad, Villareal and Getafe), Rangers) and Sabau (Feyenoord, (Galatasaray, Valencia and Brescia) were blighted by a long list Alaves), (Foggia, of injuries. Genoa, Sheffield Wednesday, EMPICS Chelsea, Bradford and Southamp- Consequences ton), Chivu (captain of Ajax and a For Romanian players, might one day be able to join one defender coveted by Europe’s top a transfer abroad represents a huge of the top European clubs. clubs), Contra (Alaves, AC Milan and step forward both in terms of their Not everything is rosy, how- Atlético de Madrid), Alin Stoïca (who career and from a financial perspec- ever: the mass exodus of young left for Belgium at the age of 17, tive. Those who play in the talent to foreign leagues means played for Anderlecht and is strongest leagues in Europe gain that Romanian clubs rarely man- now at Club Brugge), Dorinel in value, train hard and age to get past the first round Munteanu (Cercle Bruges, FC Köln acquire a winner’s men- of the European competitions! and Wolfsburg), tality. The Romanian George Gisca (Bursaspor, Standard Liège and national team K. Sint Truidense VV), Tararache (five seasons with Grasshopper-Club) and Ioan Timofte (Porto and Boavista). Mutu, who is currently doing very selectors well for Parma AC, appears to have a can therefore bright future ahead of him. call upon the type A number of other players of players they need who were certainly talented, but also for the tough qualify- rather temperamental and physically ing campaigns and fragile, such as Raducioiu (a genuine the major tourna- globetrotter, who played for Bari, ments, the World Cup Verona, Brescia, AC Milan, Espanyol, and European Cham- West Ham, Stuttgart and Monaco), pionships. The Roman- Catalin Munteanu (Salamanca, ian team has achieved Espanyol, Albacete) and Dennis its best perform- Serban (bought by Valencia but ances with the help loaned out several times to smaller of players from the clubs, including Rapid ) “foreign legion”. have experienced a mixture of suc- Romanian EMPICS cess and failure. Others, including clubs which sell Hanganu (Samsunspor and Cercle their best players Bruges), (Valencia, Cottbus) wisely have ensured and Ionut Lutu (who moved several they have the means times from Steaua to Galatasaray, to survive, improve from Steaua to South Korea and back their facilities and The best-known Romanian footballer, to his original club, Universitatea invest in youth . Craiova) failed to make an impres- development. sion because of personal problems. Young players Finally, the careers of Gabi themselves are highly Balint (Burgos), Mateut (Real Zara- motivated by the goza, Brescia, Reggiana), Daniel Pro- thought that they Franco Carraro with Artemio Franchi at the European Championship draw in 1980 and at a more

UEFA recent event. FIGC EMPICS XXVII ordinary UEFA Congressa dynamic federation

AFTER 1960, 1968 (ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESSES), 1973 AND 1980, ROME AND THE ITALIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION (FIGC) WILL SHORTLY HOST EUROPEAN FOOTBALL’S PLENARY ASSEMBLY FOR THE SIXTH TIME. HERE, WE TAKE A LOOK AT A UEFA MEMBER ASSOCIATION WHICH IS ENDEAVOURING TO TAKE UP NUMEROUS CHALLENGES ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT FRONTS.

When, at the end of order to force clubs to manage their 2002, Franco Carraro looked back finances more responsibly, he intro- at his first 12 months as FIGC presi- duced sporting sanctions such as dent (a position he had already the forfeiture of league points for occupied twice previously – from administrative irregularities – a kind 1976 to 1978 and, on a temporary of precursor of the UEFA club licence basis, in 1986), he bravely described due to be introduced in 2004. At the the year as an “annus horribilis”. sporting level, he brought in com- He was not just referring to matters bined blood and urine testing to en- on the pitch (no Italian teams hance the fight against doping; on reached the quarter-finals of the the social front, he submitted to the European club competitions, while government a bill proposing more the national team was eliminated severe penalties for violent sup- from the World Cup at the last porters; and from a technical perspec- 16 stage), but also to financial, tive, he created Club Italia, a project social and political develop- designed to boost the activities, ments: clubs were beset by competitiveness and image of all the financial problems (Fiorentina national representative teams, from went bankrupt and were ban- the youth team to the senior squad. ished from the world of profes- In a further effort to revita- sional football), depressing lise an outmoded system, the Italian phenomena such as violence leagues are to be reformed, with a and racism returned to reduction in the number of profes- Italian stadiums and, to sum sional clubs to be counterbalanced up the decline of a country by the strengthening of the amateur which had gloriously sector. In particular, discussions have

Luigi Di Biagio gets won three World begun with the government of Prime the better of Craig Cups, one European Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a man who Bellamy (Wales), but the Italian national Championship and numerous Euro- is sensitive to the problems facing team is having pean club trophies, Italy was no football. The aim is, by all possible trouble hitting the heights again. longer represented on either the FIFA legislative means, to create more or UEFA Executive Committees. efficient structures, adapted to the Franco Carraro immediately modern game: 1) management of

EMPICS set about restructuring the FIGC: in Totocalcio and betting, in order to

10 uefadirect 2.03 The Italian clubs The Fustal The have not won conference Coverciano a UEFA club in Coverciano. technical competition centre. since 1999, when S.S. Lazio achieved a double (Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup). UEFA-SABE FIGC

guarantee a reliable source of Franco Carraro, who firmly believes in preparation for the European financial revenue; 2) privatisation in the principle of solidarity for Under-17 Championship, the finals of of club stadiums, which should be the harmonious development of all which will be held in Italy in 2005. restructured with a view to multi- European football, the engine of The FIGC has also offered to help functionality and community use; world football, has invited UEFA organise the celebrations for UEFA’s 3) television rights and the fight to use any of the FIGC’s facilities for 50th anniversary and FIFA’s against piracy, in order to promote all kinds of events and meetings. centenary in 2004 – an example more centralised marketing of Having hosted the first UEFA of how Franco Carraro is keen to pro- goods, many of which are still being Conference (Coverciano, November mote good relations between the two sold on the black market; 4) issues 2002), Italy is the venue of the 3rd international federations. connected with contingency funds European Futsal Championship For the time being, however and taxes, with a request for special (Caserta and Aversa, 17 to 24 Febru- the FIGC is preparing to host the XXVII dispensation for football clubs, such ary). Demonstrating its willingness Ordinary UEFA Congress on 27 March as a law allowing them to spread to assist other national associations, in Rome, a truly “eternal” city which over ten years any losses caused by Italy has also granted Israel’s request will have the pleasure of welcoming the devaluation of players in a time to play its EURO 2004 qualifying Europe’s football parliament for of market decline. matches against France and Cyprus the sixth time; an event which will As well as these internal in Sicily in April. mark exactly 30 years since Artemio reforms, Franco Carraro is attempt- Meanwhile, in February Franchi’s election as UEFA President, ing to restore Italy to its rightful and March, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter- but also the twentieth anniversary place on the international scene nazionale and AS Roma will be par- of the death of the “Grand Duke of where, as a leading expert in modern ticipating in the second group phase Tuscany”, a man who will never be Olympism, he has always been very of the UEFA Champions League; forgotten and a solid pillar of a UEFA active and his work highly valued. another UEFA conference is to be which, even before the European FIFA, for example, asked him to held in Italy for grassroots football Union, managed to break down chair its Audit Committee, which coaches (Coverciano, 1-3 July) and numerous obstacles in order to unite monitored FIFA’s administrative the Italian technical centre has been the continent. And still today, Franco affairs following its well-publicised made available for either a European Carraro is hoping to ensure that financial problems; he is also a doping conference (Italy is leading the FIGC can bring Italian football member of UEFA’s working group on the way where doping controls are back to the European stage on which EU-related issues, responsible for concerned) or a pre-season course it truly belongs. dealing with all aspects of UEFA’s for the top European referees. In the Sergio Di Cesare complex, increasingly important meantime, work has already begun Head of the FIGC International Affairs Department relations with the EU. And, with Italy taking over the six-monthly EU presi- dency on 1 July, Franco Carraro (who is also an important economic and financial figure in Italy) will be able to lobby on football’s behalf for recognition in Community legislation of the game’s specific characteristics. In the meantime, the FIGC has increased its representation within the UEFA and FIFA commit- tees, where talks are aimed at the improvement of football. Italy now has more representatives than most countries and is the only one

with a member in both refereeing D. FILACCHIONE committees, for example. Moreover, The Italian referees in training. EMPICS ???????????? UEFA

EMPICS appealsidentical procedure requests by the parties

UNDER ARTICLE 55 OF THE UEFA DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS (DR),

IF THE REQUESTS OF THE PARTIES ARE IDENTICAL, THE APPEALS BODY MUST COMPLY

A foul, WITH THE REQUEST, PROVIDED THAT IT IS NOT OBVIOUSLY INAPPROPRIATE. THIS HELPS a red card and disciplinary TO MAKE THE PROCEEDINGS QUICKER AND, IN PARTICULAR, LESS EXPENSIVE. action is bound to follow. In fact agreed with the disciplinary inspector’s In the 39th minute of a UEFA proposal. Cup match played during the current On 25 October 2002, the season between clubs H and A, player Appeals Body complied with the par- N was shown the red card by the ref- ties’ identical request and reduced eree for head-butting an opponent. the suspension to three club competi- On 10 October 2002, on the basis of tion matches. the referee’s report, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body (CDB) suspended On these grounds the guilty player for four UEFA club Both parties – the appellants competition matches. From a legal on the one hand and the disciplinary point of view, the CDB considered the inspector as the UEFA representative on player’s conduct to constitute assault the other – submitted the same request under the terms of Article 10.1 (c) to the Appeals Body that the decision of the DR. The CDB judged that the of the CDB be amended and the offence had been aggravated because suspension of player N be reduced to the assault had been committed with three club competition matches. Under the head and was therefore dangerous. the terms of Article 55 of the DR, the On 14 October 2002, club H Appeals Body must comply with these and player N both lodged an appeal identical requests, provided that they against the decision. Referring to the are not obviously inappropriate. prior provocation of the guilty player These requests cannot be and the relatively harmless nature of described as obviously inappropriate his reaction, they asked for the sus- because they do not concern a breach pension to be reduced to one match. of the rules. The disciplinary bodies In his reply to the appeal, the UEFA use their judicial discretion to deter- representative (disciplinary inspector) mine the length of a suspension in proposed that the suspension be accordance with the general principles reduced to three matches. He argued for the fixing of penalties set out in that video footage proved that the Article 17 of the DR. Reducing the sus- head-butt had constituted an assault. pension to three competition matches However, he believed that the CDB had cannot be considered an abuse of that failed to take into consideration the discretion; in fact, it is fully justifiable, obvious provocation that had preceded since the CDB clearly failed to take into the incident. In a submission made on account the mitigating factor of provo-

EMPICS 18 October 2002, the appellants cation when taking its decision.

12 uefadirect 2.03 France Portugal is actively (here versus preparing for EURO 2004, the Czech both on the field Republic) (against Italy) will play and behind the scenes. Brazil The UEFA Executive in Paris. Committee received a progress report at its meeting in Athens. FLASH PRESS A. SABATTINI

Book launches, award ceremonies meetings and special events will be held throughout the year and the celebra- tions will be inter-linked with FIFA’s focusand on the activities congress centenary (with a match between France and Brazil in Paris in May), the 50th anniversary of the Asian The Executive Committee to appoint one or two additional Football Confederation and the cen- held its first meeting of the year in members itself, in order to guarantee tenaries of the Austrian and Swedish Athens on 5 and 6 February, devot- the fair geographical distribution of football associations. ing a large chunk of its discussions members. The member(s) appointed Among the projects currently to the Ordinary Congress due to by the Executive Committee would being implemented, the executive take place in Rome on 27 March. attend all its meetings but would not body was informed of the state of Following a day of strategic be entitled to vote. They would serve progress of plans for the UEFA club discussions, and in between meetings a two-year term. licensing project, which is due to with representatives of the Greek Before forwarding the be introduced across Europe in government connected with talks with accounts statement and budget to the 2004/05 and should therefore be the European Union concerning the Congress for approval, the Executive operational at national level from specific nature of sport, the Executive Committee examined them itself. next season. Most national associa- Committee approved the programme Treasurer Mathieu Sprengers drew and agenda of the XXVII Ordinary attention to UEFA’s healthy financial National team football (EURO qualifier between UEFA Congress. Since these general situation in spite of a drop in reve- and Scotland) represents an increasing assemblies of European football are nue, particularly non-football- share of UEFA's revenue. now held annually, there will be no related income, the faltering stock elections in Rome. The main focus will market and the contributing factor be on finances, with the examination of falling interest rates. The Executive for approval of the annual statement of Committee members were also accounts for 2001/02 and submission informed about the new of the budget for 2003/04. accounting system which, with In addition to the reports by its three dimensions, will make it the Executive Committee and Chief easier to monitor and, therefore, Executive, delegates from the member control expenditure. associations will receive details of the new UEFA assistance programme, 50th anniversary preparations which will replace current programmes Founded on 15 June 1954, such as KIOSK and the EEAB, and UEFA will celebrate its 50th anniver- which will be available to all European sary next year and a programme of national associations. festivities is already being drafted, the The delegates will also be main aspects of which were brought asked to vote on a draft amendment to to the Executive Committee’s atten- the Statutes, to be tabled by the Execu- tion in Athens. Since UEFA has as tive Committee. The amendment pro- many member associations as there poses that, without prejudice to the are weeks in the year, each associa- democratic procedure and outcome of tion will be honoured for one week in elections to the UEFA Executive Com- a variety of ways, including special

mittee, the latter should be permitted features on the uefa.com website. BONGARTS Negotiations are going well as far as sponsorship contracts for EURO 2004 and the UEFA Champions League are concerned. Amstel has just prolonged its UEFA Champions League contract until 2006 and Canon have signed up as a sponsor for EURO 2004. Gerhard Aigner and Hajime Tsuruoka, President and CEO of Canon Europe. KEYSTONE EMPICS

tions (34) have already submitted Championship matches will be digi- New format their national handbook, setting out tised so that high-quality pictures are and regulations the criteria which their clubs will preserved for the use of UEFA itself, The Club Competitions have to meet. its disciplinary bodies, national asso- Committee met at the House of ciations, clubs and UEFA partners. European Football in Nyon on New video library UEFA New Media has already begun 31 January to discuss, in particular, Another project that has the task of processing video cassettes. the club competition regulations the Executive Committee’s backing Football development is one for 2003/04, which will be put is the creation of a video library of of UEFA’s primary objectives, which is to the Executive Committee for UEFA matches. The aim is to pre- why the Executive Committee wel- serve UEFA’s history whilst protect- comed a project devoted to grassroots approval in March. ing its rights. Footage from all UEFA football, i.e. all football that is neither The proposed amendments club competition and European professional nor elite. The aim of the relate principally to the new UEFA project is to promote the principles Champions League format, under on which the success of the UEFA which the first (and only) group phase Convention on the Mutual Recogni- will be followed immediately by tion of Coaching Qualifications is direct knock-out matches. The draw based, i.e. a coaching structure which to be made after the group matches helps UEFA to monitor and support will respect the usual criteria: the work of the national associations no matches between teams from the and other bodies involved in grass- same group, or between group roots football. The Executive Commit- winners, or between teams from the tee expressed same national association. the wish The committee was also that refereeing in favour of the proposal to adopt the should be “silver goal” rule for all direct knock- included in this project and that a out club competition matches. This precise budget should be drawn up. extra-time rule, which has already Finally, the Executive Com- been introduced for finals, means that mittee approved the Guidelines and if one team is in the lead at the end Recommendations for Stadium of the first 15-minute period of extra Lighting for all UEFA time, the match will stop there; other- Competitions. The previous ver- wise another 15-minute period will sion, which dated back to 1995, be played and, if there is still no result needed to be adapted in line with after that, the match will be decided technical advances. This was com- by kicks from the penalty mark. In the pleted following consultation case of extra time only, this amend- with experts and ment could signal the end of the rule broadcasters. of away goals counting double. The international calendar and the distribution of UEFA Champions

UEFA Champions League revenue also came under the League matches (AFC Ajax vs AS Roma) committee’s consideration. As far as are archived digitally. the revenue distribution system is

FLASH PRESS concerned, the committee preferred

14 uefadirect 2.03 WORLD YOUTH (UNDER-20) CHAMPIONSHIP: FIFA has conducted the group draw for this competition, which will run from 25 March to 16 April in the United Arab Emirates. Slovakia join hosts UAE in Group A, alongside Panama and Burkina Faso, while Spain, in Group B, will come against Argentina, Uzbekistan and Mali. In Group C, the Czech Republic have been tied with Brazil, Canada and Australia; in Group D, England are joined by Colombia, Egypt and Japan; in Group E, Republic of Ireland will face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Côte d'Ivoire, and last but not least, Group F pits Germany against Paraguay, USA and Republic of Korea.

to continue with the present system, whereby the participating clubs receive set amounts and an amount that varies according to the TV market, and soli- darity payments are also made out of the revenue. The new format is New guidelines expected to bring in TV and marketing for stadium lighting. revenue of CHF 850 mill. EMPICS On other matters, the commit- tee was informed that the venues for the UEFA club competition finals in 2004 European Club Forum and 2005 will be decided in July, and Nearly 80 of the 102 member clubs of the European that the field of participants in the UEFA Club Forum were represented at the Forum’s third plenary meeting, Intertoto Cup will be increased from held in Nyon on 11 and 12 February. 60 to 61, to make room for a represen- These meetings always follow cious way of working: the proceed- tative of the Football Union of Kazakh- the same pattern, and the resulting ings begin with a presentation stan, which joined UEFA last year. routine favours an increasingly effica- on a few topical issues, which are then discussed in four groups; a plenary meeting follows, providing England on the right track a chance for debate, questions and, Since 1993/94, UEFA has compiled fair play rankings based finally, conclusions. on the conduct of the teams of every national association Despite the natural diversity (national teams and club teams) in all its competitions except of interests to be found among the the UEFA Regions’ Cup. The national association that tops the rankings at clubs within such a broadly based the end of the season is rewarded with an extra place in the UEFA Cup, body, their delegates proved to be in which goes to the team that wins the corresponding national fair play award. agreement on a number of points, as Another two UEFA Cup places are also at stake and they are assigned by means observed by David Dein (Arsenal FC) at the press conference that followed of a draw involving all the associations who finish on eight points or more. the Forum. The Club World Champi- At the mid-season stage, and subject to a few matches for which onship, for example, does not strike the data has not yet been entered, England top the table and another nine them as having any great financial associations are on an average of eight points or more: or sporting interest and, above all, 1. England 95 matches 8.203 it would add to the congestion of the 2. Sweden 38 8.166 international match calendar which 3. Poland 50 8.143 efforts are currently being made to 4. Finland 37 8.128 relieve. The Confederations Cup is 5. France 87 8.080 equally unpopular with the clubs, 6. Russia 51 8.079 who are keen to allow their players 7. Rep. of Ireland 28 8.063 time to recover. The question of 8. Slovakia 36 8.023 compensation for clubs releasing 9. Switzerland 52 8.020 their players for national-team duty 10. Germany 79 8.002 calls for a distinction between com- pensation and payment of insurance From top level down to the premiums. The clubs see the possi- youth sector, the fair play spirit FLASH PRESS should always be present. bility of compensation for the final Kicks The study from the of artificial turf penalty mark continues. are the last resort for determining the winning team. EMPICS UEFA administration stages of major international competi- tantly though, no one is challenging waves two goodbyes tions, in particular. the solidarity principle. The small team of people The delegates also unani- Finally, on the subject of artifi- who have retired from the UEFA Admin- mously appreciated the presentation cial turf, the delegates asked a number istration (former General Secretary Hans Bangerter, his deputy, Michel by Peter Kenyon ( of questions indicating their interest. Daphinoff, Marc-Etienne Tapernoux and United FC) on behalf of a working UEFA is currently carrying out a study Vreni Peterhans) is growing in size, with a 50% increase in numbers, and group on the marketing of new media in order to establish whether or not certainly in terms of charm, with rights. A detailed document has been it will be possible to play UEFA compe- the retirement of two of the adminis- drawn up that will now be circulated. tition matches on such surfaces in tration’s most loyal members. Silvia Meister has already joined It will be put to the Forum at its next future. We should have the answer by this select group since, having taken up meeting with a view to its implemen- 2005 at the latest. her duties 31 years earlier, on 15 August 1971, she retired from tation from the 2003/04 season. her regular work at UEFA The clubs are also of one at the end of 2002. Seminars in Nyon mind as regards the new transfer reg- Silvia Meister was not On 21 and 22 January, only the longest serving ulations: there is a need for greater member of the UEFA the House of European Football clarity to put an end to doubts Administration (apart in Nyon hosted an introductory from Chief Executive and differences of interpretation. Gerhard Aigner); she seminar for 51 new delegates and The 2003/04 UEFA club competition also embodied the transition from UEFA’s referee observers. It was an time in Berne to the establishment of its regulations did not draw any objec- Nyon headquarters. Indeed, she was opportunity for the participants tions, however, with the proposal to responsible for looking after the UEFA to discuss their main duties and to archives until they were finally moved to introduce the so-called “silver goal” familiarise themselves with UEFA Nyon last year. Silvia Meister had previ- rule, currently applied in the UEFA ously worked directly with the General competition procedures. Every Secretary before becoming a valued club competition finals, in the knock- year, some 1,300 UEFA competition member of the personnel department. out stages of all UEFA competitions Another witness of the rapid matches are attended by delegates as well. The delegates were also unan- growth of European football’s adminis- and referee observers. tration, Rita MacKinnon, has been work- imous regarding the international ing for UEFA since 1 September 1976. On 22 and 23 January, She will retire at the end match calendar and are keen to see more than 70 participants gathered of February. As a loyal the final stages of the other confe- member of the finance at the House of European Football for department, she has derations’ competitions take place a seminar on the role of venue direc- managed to combine the over the same period as the European tors at UEFA competition matches. precision necessary in her field with the flexibi- Championship final round. The meeting focused on simulating lity required by the tran- There were several proposals situations at matches and giving rec- sition from calculators in response to the new, more liberal to computers and from traditional ommendations to the participants book-keeping to three-dimensional data kit regulations which should come as to how they should react in such processing. Responsible, among other into force in 2004/05 (to give the things, for checking match accounts cases. Such gatherings are organised and reimbursing referees and manufacturers and the clubs time to twice a year with the aim of harmon- delegates, she fulfilled her tasks with adjust). However, opinions differed exemplary diligence. ising procedures and providing guid- These two departures repre- somewhat regarding the distribution ance on specific issues relating to sent the loss to UEFA’s administration of revenue from the new-format UEFA the work of a venue director. The of almost 60 years’ experience in one fell swoop. Fortunately, the two Champions League. The drop in need to establish proper communica- young pensioners have always been will- income will necessarily mean a reduc- tions between all parties involved ing to pass on their expertise to eager colleagues, through whom they will tion in the amounts distributed and in the preparation and running of continue to shine within the UEFA everyone naturally does not share the a football match was one of Administration whilst enjoying their new-found freedom for what we hope same view as to the right percentages the major conclusions reached by will be a long time to come. in the distribution formula. Impor- the participants.

16 uefadirect 2.03 ENGLAND BELGIUM The FA The logo runs a of the new workshop for communication CONCACAF. system between the Belgian FA

FA and its clubs. HE T URBSFA ????????????

FA of the Republic of Srpska took part. They had not participated in previous UEFA courses because their association was not a member of from member associations the NS BiH at the time, although they were news invited. Just last year, their administrators took part in a UEFA Progress III course in Neum. Therefore, ahead of the latest course, the par- AUSTRIA the details of their club on E-Kickoff. Each ticipants from the Republic of Srpska were of the nine sections is split into several subsec- introduced to the previous programmes, Success tions, which in turn contain individual modules. before joining the other participants for the seems guaranteed Some modules enable the clubs UEFA Progress IV course. The UEFA lecturer For the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), to access comprehensive information about for medical staff was Mehmet Binnet from the beginning of the year has been dominated their members (affiliations, etc.). Others can Turkey, while Pekka Hämäläinen from Finland by the recent selection of Austria and Switzer- be used to view the details of an accident file, addressed the administrators. land as co-hosts of EURO 2008. In February, the including bills that were paid, or to consult Within the framework of the Bid Committee was disbanded and talks opened the invoices and payments made between the Progress IV course, a programme was also with UEFA concerning the new franchise com- association and the club. More traditional sec- organised for referees. It was held at the same pany that will take organisational responsibility tions provide access to league tables, fixture time, but in Sarajevo. Referees from all over for the tournament. At the same time, funding lists, results, names of the players in each Bosnia & Herzegovina took part. The UEFA has been secured for the “Challenge 2008” age category at the club, etc. lecturer was Eugen Strigel from Germany. youth project – a support programme for young Clubs can now, therefore, access The federation is continuing with players (born in or after 1985). “It is essential this information 24 hours a day and there is coach education based on the UEFA scheme. that we are successful on the pitch, because no doubt that it will make life easier for The second term of the seventh UEFA B nothing would be worse than our team going club secretaries. programme ended at the end of 2002. out with a whimper in the first round”, This is one way in which the To date, this curriculum has been followed by said ÖFB President Friedrich Stickler. From an Belgian Football Association is implementing 320 would-be coaches, most of whom qualified economic point of view, success seems guaran- its plan to improve and accelerate communi- for the B licence. Now they are coaching the teed: 6,000 new jobs, EUR 150 million of extra cation with the clubs. players in their clubs, particularly youth players. income from tourism, EUR 60 million of addi- François Vantomme These courses are run by eminent coaches tional media revenue, 930,000 hotel bookings from Bosnia & Herzegovina as well as other in 2008 alone, and building costs of around BOSNIA experts connected with sport. Most of the EUR 162 million. participants are retired players, but there are The ÖFB is also very pleased with & HERZEGOVINA also many coaches who are not educated or qualified enough to do this job. last year’s advertising figures: TV coverage: UEFA Progress IV 27 hours, average viewing figures in Austria for “These programmes were a must A UEFA Progress IV for med- international matches: 871,125, total advertis- because we had hardly any coaching staff to ical staff, administrators and ing value: EUR 22.6 million. work with the younger players. Thanks to the referees was organised recently for the Meanwhile, clubs affected by recent UEFA syllabus, many of our coaches now hold Football Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina flooding can breathe a sigh of relief: a total the licence that is necessary for their work in (NS BiH). The course took place in Teslic, and, of EUR 472,740 was paid out at the end of the clubs”, said NS BiH President Jusuf Pusina. for the first time ever, representatives of the year to the regional associations of Salzburg, Fuad Krvavac Lower Austria and Upper Austria for repairs and rebuilding work. This figure was broken down as follows: EUR 252,740 from UEFA, EUR 120,000 from the regional associations and EUR 100,000 from the ÖFB. The first match of 2003 for the national team will be a friendly against Greece (Graz, 26 March, kick- off 20.30), with a European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic to be staged in Prague on 2 April. Wolfgang Eichler BELGIUM New method of communication The Internet site of the Belgian Football Association (www.footbel.com) has now been extended to include an extranet system known as E-Kickoff. This system enables club secretaries, using an access code which guarantees data confiden- tiality, to consult a wealth of information about their respective clubs. It will revolutionise FA HE the life of club secretaries. All clubs are entitled T to access the system. Once they have received their ID codes, club secretaries will be able to register ENGLAND The FA runs many courses as part of its education programmes. BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Numerous participants

profited from NS BIH the courses to improve RCHIVE their training. PHOTOS: A PHOTOS:

BULGARIA ENGLAND The strongest tournament is the international tournament, to which one or A championship with The FA international two clubs from neighbouring countries are a new administrator? education programme always invited. This time our guests were The Professional Football The Football Association has two clubs from Lithuania. The winners of the League in Bulgaria is a union launched ‘FA Learning’ as a spe- A. Le Coq Cup were FC Flora Tallinn, current of the professional clubs of cific brand to co-ordinate all of its educational Estonian champions. The game in the Kalev the country and it would like services more effectively. Sports Hall in the Estonian capital was in to participate more in the administration of In 2003, FA Learning will be provid- stark contrast to outdoor football, and the the championship in the First League, rea- ing courses in England for international stu- tournament results bear little resemblance soning that this will help reduce frictions dents in the following disciplines: to championship outcomes. In the last ten between the clubs themselves, that referees years, FC Flora have been champions of will perform better and that the quality of Coaching – The FA International Estonia six times, but this was their very first matches will increase. Coaching Licence win in the EFA New Year tournament. The Executive Committee of the Exercise Science – The FA Inter- The spectators and media are subsequently national Fitness Trainers Award interested in the tournament, which provides a rare opportunity to see the majority of decided to allow the Professional Football Sports Medicine – The FA Inter- players from all leagues and youth groups. League to administrate the championship, national Diploma in the Treatment of The season in Estonia finished on much to the delight of those who had been Injury together with new awards in Football 24 November, and the first game in the new pushing for it, who immediately got to Psychology championship will be on 9 March – earlier work preparing for the spring season. Details of these courses and how than ever. During the winter break, the teams However, those efforts have to book online are available on The FA website train mainly on artificial fields, the number apparently been in vain. The most talkative www.TheFA.Com/FALearning. of which has been grown rapidly in the last petitioners from some of the clubs have The Football Association will provide two years. The indoor tournament was a changed their minds and started to look for some aspects of these courses as online welcome change, and made it possible to a way out of this responsibility, arguing modules from 2003 onwards. The FA can also ignore the coldest weather that Estonia has that they do not have the support of the provide the opportunity for other football known in recent decades – on some days the referees’, disciplinary and technical com- associations to conduct such courses under temperature fell to less than -30°C! mittees, that the championship regulations licence from The FA in their own countries. Raili Ellermaa and instructions have to be amended, and For further details of these services so on. It is quite possible that the Profes- please email: [email protected]. sional League will relinquish its delegated In addition, you can speak to FINLAND right and in this way perpetuate the Danielle Every about FA Learning at The Foot- Futsal in Finland impression that it is much easier to criticise ball Association stand at Soccerex in Dubai Finland’s first real go at than to work effectively in the name of on 23/24 March. Futsal was in 1994, when football as a whole as opposed to only in Jane Bateman the name of some clubs. Finland took part in the The organs of the Bulgarian Foot- World University Futsal Championship. ball Union which run the championship are ESTONIA In 1996, the World University Futsal Championship was organised in Finland. now getting ready for the spring session, New Year tournament which starts in the second half of February It was then that Futsal in Finland really took After Christmas, the tenth EFA irrespective of whether the Professional off. The first national championships for New Year Indoor Tournament League actually takes up its delegate role men and women were introduced in 1997. took place. The first tourna- The Finnish national team played their first or stays on the sidelines. ment in 1993 slotted into the period between two matches in 1998. Since then, they Radoslav Yankulov Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Now matches have taken part in one World Championship are also played on 2 and 3 January because qualifying tournament and two European of the growing popularity of the event. But Championship qualifying tournaments. only the better teams are invited to partici- Today we have over 16,000 players in pate, on the basis of the latest league results about 1,000 clubs. and qualifying competitions. For the 2002/03 season we A total of 218 teams took part in the had two Futsal divisions for men: the Futsal last tournament, which was split into 13 tour- League and the 1st Division. Futsal is also naments for the teams from different leagues played at regional level in ten out of and sectors (youth and women). The playing 12 regions. In the League, we have twelve area is reduced and each team plays with six teams all over Finland. The teams play one players plus a goalkeeper. Every day the round and after that a final-four tournament. games got under way at eight o’clock in the In the 1st Division, 18 teams competed morning and the programme continued with- in three groups. The teams played two out any breaks until ten or eleven o’clock in rounds in the groups, and then the best the evening, depending on the schedule. teams took part in a qualifying tournament ESTONIA Traditionally, the first tournament with two League teams. The 10th is for the countryside schools. The 16 partici- The 2002/03 Finnish champions New Year pants this time round were the winners of are the Golden Futsal Team (GFT) from Espoo. Indoor the qualifying competitions organised in all GFT beat three-time champions FT Kemi- Tournament 15 counties of Estonia, plus the previous Tornio 4-3 in an exciting final. The woman’s . year’s winners. This year, the best team came national championship tournament will be from the village of Aravete in Järva county, played in February.

EFA in the very centre of Estonia. Kalle Marttinen

18 uefadirect 2.03 FINLAND GEORGIA Espoo’s Anders Golden Futsal Levinsen Team demonstrates celebrate their the art of 2002/03 taking penalty championship kicks in less title. than easy conditions! GFF JOUNI PIHLAJA

GEORGIA will also be able to offer considerable help Going back to the end of last year, in the coming year, with EUR 600,000 in its 17 top Hungarian football coaches were pre- Viking “raid” budget for 2003. Some of this money will sented with their UEFA Pro licence diplomas on in Georgia also be spent on sport for the disabled and 18 December, among them many prominent Last winter was very fruitful football in prisons. names, including the Hungarian national for Georgian football from an Niels Barnhofer team’s current head coach, Imre Gellei, and educational point of view, with a series of former head coaches György Mezey, József UEFA Progress courses held one after another. HUNGARY Verebes, József Garami and János Csank, as They were usually run by Danish experts. well as Hungarian championship coaches like Torben Mogensen ran the administrative Pro licence József Both, Sándor Egervári and István Varga, courses for Georgian club officials, while for 17 coaches and national under-21 coach Antal Róth. Mogens Kreutzfeldt was dispatched by UEFA The Hungarian football “This is the end of a long road”, for the second time to run the medical coaching elite started the said György Mezey, technical director of MLSZ, courses. Another Dane involved was Anders New Year with a great compulsory workshop who also received the diploma. “Starting Levinsen, who, once he has completed his in Sopron in Hungary. The leaders of the this nationwide coach education programme activity in Bosnia & Herzegovina, intends Hungarian Football Federation, the leaders – from B to Pro level – was the only way for to assist with children’s football and open of the coach education project and the recent Hungarian football to improve in the field of 15 football schools in Georgia. The only one graduates of the UEFA Pro-level course – coach education”, added Mezey, who is a person who was not of Danish origin was making up the most important people in member of three UEFA panels, including the UEFA’s EEAB manager Bruno Wolfisberg. Hungarian football – came together in one Jira Project Panel. The quality of coach educa- The visit of the Vikings was place to discuss the major aspects of the tion was undeniably very low before the first hampered by severe weather conditions. game and to exchange experiences. About course started. Georgia had not seen so much snowfall for 100 football experts attended the three-day One of the students, national team 20 years, and the temperature dropped conference, including the 14 new students coach Imre Gellei, was also pleased with the below 12°C. While Torben Mogensen and on MLSZ’s Pro licence course. event: “By taking this step, the world is open Mogens Kreutzfeldt ran their courses in cosy Kálmán Mészöly, former legendary again to Hungarian football coaches. We rooms in the Tori hotel, Anders Levinsen and player and later Hungarian and Turkish hope that more and more of our colleagues will work abroad as successfully as our Bruno Wolfisberg were out in the cold, first national team coach, who is now technical predecessors”, he said. on a trip to Tskaltubo, in the Imereti region, director of the Hungarian Football League Márton Dinnyés/György Szöllösi some 250 km from Tbilisi, where they (for professional football), was one of the met young refugee footballers from Abk- special guests in Sopron. He said, “I’m very hazia, then on to Gori (in the Kartli region, pleased with this serious work, and seeing KAZAKHSTAN 100 km from Tbilisi), Telavi (in the Kakheti the professionalism and high-quality work, region, 150 km from Tbilisi) and finally I believe again in football’s comeback in National Football Day Tsereteli, in the Marneuli region, 60 km from Hungary. As a former top manager in This year, the Football Union Tbilisi, where they became the first foreign- Turkey, I hope you will also savour such of Kazakhstan celebrates ers to set foot in this village, where Anders great experiences abroad one day”. its ninetieth anniversary. It was back in 1913 Levinsen put on a display of penalty kicks for the 100 or so children gathered at the snow-covered stadium. Mamuka Kvaratskelia GERMANY Commitment to social action The German Football Asso- ciation (DFB) has been com- mitted to social action for half a century. Over the years, it has demonstrated the power of football to help others by support- ing numerous projects at home and abroad. Since 1976, around EUR 15 million has been spent on social action. And the tradition of good deeds will continue into the future. Via the Sepp Herberger and Egidius Braun Foundations, the DFB offers help whenever it can. For example, DFB General Secretary Horst R. Schmidt recently attended the launch of three projects in Mexico, supported by the DFB to the tune of EUR 220,000. The DFB’s Egidius Braun Foundation con- tributed EUR 150,000 to a school centre in the slums of Guadalajara and EUR 50,000 to the construction of a new building for the Casa de Cuna orphanage in Queretaro. The same foundation also donated EUR 20,000 UEFA-KJAERBY to a home for young mothers in Hogar- HUNGARY Representatives of the Hungarian FA signed the coaches’ convention Vientino. The Sepp Herberger Foundation in Copenhagen on 8 November. HUNGARY HUNGARY NORTHERN József Garami, Hungarian IRELAND György Mezey, FA president Sara Booth Imre Gellei and Imre Bozóky has just been József Verebes (left) and put in charge all hold UEFA Imre Gellei of women’s Pro licences. present football the UEFA development diploma. in Northern S. BOOTH

MLSZ MLSZ Ireland.

when the Russkiy Sport newspaper, pub- randum of Co-operation was signed on MOLDOVA lished in Moscow, first mentioned football 22 January, when the official logo of the XII in Kazakhstan. During the same period, Kazakh Championship was also unveiled at Another step forward the constituent assembly of the Muslim the press conference afterwards. On 18/19 January, in the capital teachers’ school team was held. Later, Alexander Keplin Chisinau, UEFA, by way of the team became known under the name the company AVC Media from of Yarysh. The same year, the following first Scotland, organised a course as teams were established in Semipalatinsk: part of the Tact-FOOT UEFA Kiosk Assistance SSC (Semipalatinsk Sports Club), the afore- Transfer period Programme. The course was attended by the mentioned Yarysh and Olimp. Since no The January transfer window head coaches of the national teams of the exact date for the foundation of football afforded the top Premier Republic of Moldova, who consider this pro- in Kazakhstan is recorded, the Football League clubs a busy time, with gramme a top-level invention for theoretical Union of Kazakhstan decided to fix the date a flurry of quality signings. preparation of coaches and footballers. as 25 April – the date the association Current League leaders and title The presentation of team playing became a UEFA member. hopefuls Sliema Wanderers secured the ser- systems, player and ball movements on the To mark this anniversary, the vices of Cyprus-based Orosco Anonam amid field of play, correction of errors – all these Football Union of Kazakhstan has offered intense competition from their closest rivals, aspects were learned in practice by the a present to all Kazakh football fans. Birkirkara, who, in turn, paraded two late but Moldovan technicians under the direction of In collaboration with the Khabar agency and significant ‘captures’, former Floriana and Derek Reeley from AVC Media. Samsung Electronics, the general sponsor, Congolese midfielder Rufin Oba and ex-Sliema The course participants were most the association concluded an agreement for Wanderers and current Maltese national team impressed by the programme and are very matches in the domestic championship to centre-back Luke Dimech, who has been tem- grateful to UEFA for its assistance in the devel- be shown on television. One championship porarily released by Irish club Shamrock Rovers. opment of football in Moldova, thanks to the match per round will be televised. A Memo- Champions Hibernians were also above programme, among other things. strengthened by the acquisition of Albanian One more pleasant surprise – sweeper Edmond Lufi and Argentinean at the end of January, the champion club defender Cesar Paiber, both on a ‘free release’ of Moldova, FC Sheriff Tiraspol, won the from Naxxar Lions FC and Hamrun Spartans 11 th traditional CIS Cup 2003 winter tourna- FC respectively. ment. Fifteen champion clubs from the same lost two key players when number of countries participated in this tour- their prolific Yugoslav-born forward Daniel nament. In the final match, the team from Bognadovic signed for Bulgarian side Cherno Tiraspol defeated Skonto Riga (Latvia) 2-1. More Varna and top striker Gilbert Agius was FC Sheriff Tiraspol are only the third team to ruled out with a long injury. have won this honorary title. In the previous Several clubs ten editions, Spartak Moscow (Russia) have passed through unwanted administrative won the tournament six times and Dynamo turmoil. Edgar Bonnici Cachia, who Kiev (Ukraine) on four occasions. replaced former stalwart Victor Vasile Vatamanu Tedesco a couple of months earlier, tendered his resignation as presi- NETHERLANDS dent of Hamrun Spartans FC, while Joe Gauci called it a day Shell coaching day as president of Marsa Football on team organisation Club. One of the oldest Over 500 youth coaches from Maltese clubs, Floriana FC all over the country gathered on lost a court case instituted 29 January for the 7th Shell Coaching Day by former president, organised by the KNVB. The aim of this an- Anthony Grech Sant, and nual meeting is to discuss a particular theme were ordered to pay him a and to have coaches work on that theme in hefty sum, plus interest. theory as well as in practice during the day. For its part, the Malta FA Executive The theme of the 2003 Shell Committee has initiated dialogue meetings Coaching Day was team organisation, in other with all member clubs in view of a possible words “how does a coach organise his team reshuffle in the current national league and what does he want to achieve by fielding set-up. One of the proposals under conside- his team in that way? And how do you handle ration is a Premier League with eight clubs team organisation with respect to youth instead of the current ten as from the start football, where teams sometimes have fewer of the 2004/05 season. than eleven players?” On the local domestic league One of the key speakers during front, ambitious Birkirkara closed the gap the plenary session was national team man- on leaders ager Dick Advocaat, who talked about Sliema Wanderers to a single point with team organisation in professional top football. an emphatic 3-1 victory over champi- He analysed the organisation of the Dutch ons Hibernians. Valletta consolidated team during their first qualifying match for MALTA their position in third place with an easy EURO 2004 versus Belarus. Together with his Orosco 4-0 win against seasiders Marsaxlokk, assistant, Bert van Lingen, and supported by Anonam, Sliema inspired by striker Daniel Bognadovic, in his TV pictures from that match, Advocaat Wanderers FC's last match for the club. explained how the team organisation did not

new recruit. D. AQUILINA Louis Micallef work out well during the first 20 minutes of

20 uefadirect 2.03 KAZAKHSTAN NETHERLANDS The logo Putting of the the theory Kazakh into championship. practice. FUK KNVB KNVB

the match, whereupon he had urged two or division coaches at the association’s new 2003. These professional development ses- three players to change the way they played. headquarters. Invitations were also extended sions will be repeated in the summer and Thus, the Dutch team were able to keep to a number of renowned Romanian coaches winter (for two days each time). All B licence Belarus under pressure and eventually they currently without a club and the greatest coaches will eventually have to take a theory won relatively easily 3-0. Romanian player of all time and former natio- test and practical assessment. In the afternoon, the under-16 nal team coach, Gheorghe Hagi. A similar procedure will take teams of FC Utrecht and Vitesse enabled all The meeting was opened by FRF place for the coaches of amateur teams and coaches attending to watch in practice how President Mircea Sandu. Also in attendance assistant coaches (B licence). team organisation works for youth teams. Apart were two very well known speakers from the Dan Cristea from the plenary session, there were separate Technical Centre of the Italian Football Fede- sessions for coaches specialising in girls’ foot- ration (FIGC) in Coverciano. Roberto Clagluna SPAIN ball, under-12 football and Futsal. All of them and Franco Ferrari gave two very interesting discussed what team organisation means at talks on the current game and training Intercontinental other levels of football and for teams with fewer methods, citing numerous examples from the tournament than eleven players. major Italian clubs (Juventus, Internazionale, The city of Malaga and four The Shell Coaching Day ensures that AC Milan, Parma and AS Roma). other towns in Andalusia in youth coaches, who work with the stars of Anghel Iordanescu presented his southeast Spain were the venues for the the future, continuously ponder on what they conclusions on the 2002 World Cup finals in 1st RFEF Football-7 International Tourna- do and why they do it. This has been the main Korea and Japan. He was a member of the ment organised by the Spanish Football force of the Shell Coaching Day in recent years. FIFA study group that drafted the FIFA techni- Federation through its Centre for Football Rob de Leede cal report on the finals. The Romanian Studies, Development and Research (CEDIF) national coach also presented a tactical study at the beginning of the year. NORTHERN on methods of analysing football matches, It was a very enjoyable sports which he illustrated with video clips. experience for under-12 teams from three IRELAND Mircea Radulescu, director of the continents (America, Asia and Europe), who IFA embraces coaching school, described the current situa- delighted the many spectators at the stadi- women’s football tion regarding the first Pro licence course ums in Alhaurin el Grande, Benalmadena, due to be held in Romania in 2003. He men- Nerja and Ronda. In line with the tremendous tioned the experiences of other European The Spanish team won the increase in the number of women playing countries in this area and described the championship. Their coach, Teodoro Nieto, football worldwide, the Irish Football Asso- length of the course (six to eight months), praised the great value of a tournament ciation (IFA) has recognised the growth of the the number of hours of tuition involved like this, where boys can become initiated local game and employed its first ever Deve- (120 hours of theory and 120 hours of prac- into their favourite sport in a natural way, lopment Officer for Women’s Football. With tical work) and the course syllabus. according to their weight and height; the appointment of Sara Booth, a former The coaches’ meeting lasted six i.e. on smaller pitches, with smaller goals Northern Ireland international player, the IFA hours and was a great success, thanks to the and footballs. has clearly indicated that women’s football is active participation of those who attended At the same time, also in Malaga, now a major priority for the association and has and the use of video presentations by the 3rd International Conference of Football the potential to be “big business” some day. all the speakers. Schools was held, with the participation of Sara, a BSc (Hons) Sport, Exercise and One-day (eight-hour) seminars more than 600 coaches and educators from Leisure graduate from the University of Ulster with youth coaches (children and juniors, 39 countries – nations as diverse as Costa at Jordanstown, is incredibly excited about the B licence coaches) were held in six Rica, Angola, Argentina, Israel, Mexico, future of the game in Northern Ireland. “There cities (Bucharest, Targoviste, Sibiu, Arad, Honduras, Portugal, Azerbaijan, Cyprus and is a huge amount of talent in this country, Bacau and Galati) in January and February Bosnia & Herzegovina. clearly evident in what I call the “Atlantic Drift”, whereby all our top players go to America on college scholarships. Now that the IFA has fully embraced women’s football, I hope we can increase the playing struc- tures for young girls in this country and eventually raise the performance level of our international teams”, says Sara. The future does look bright for Northern Ireland, and Sara hopes that the development and investment being put into junior level football will eventually pay divi- dends. In this respect, the target has to be the creation and inclusion of a senior Northern Ireland women’s team in the 2007 World Cup qualifiers. John Quinn ROMANIA Coaches’ gathering On 8 January 2003, the Technical Committee of the Romanian Football Association

(FRF), chaired by national team coach Anghel FMF Iordanescu, held a meeting of all the first MOLDOVA FC Sheriff Tiraspol, winners of the CIS winter tournament. ROMANIA UKRAINE The auditorium Grigoriy Surkis at the new head- (left), president quarters of the of the FA Romanian FA of Ukraine, and hosted a meeting Dmytro Tabachnyk, of first division Deputy Prime professional Minister. coaches. PRO PRO SPORT FFU

Finally, it should be emphasised is done without the knowledge or consent fact that the programme was not that this sports initiative was also aimed of the players and coaches involved. financed sufficiently and only 178 points at helping those less fortunate than our- The month ended with a more out of the 280 planned were fulfilled, selves; in the opening and closing matches pleasant surprise when UEFA President the strategic purpose was nevertheless of the Football-7 tournament a “goals for a was presented with an achieved. The decline of Ukrainian foot- better world” campaign took place in honorary lifetime award at the annual gala ball has been stopped, and force and which toys and food for underprivileged of Swedish sports. The award was given to resources have been accumulated for children were collected for distribution by Lennart Johansson for his outstanding further advancement. various charitable organisations. career as a leader who has remained true The realisation of the pro- Jorge Perez Arias to the democratic ideals of Swedish sport. gramme has contributed to the develop- The award was presented by King Carl XVI ment of football in Ukraine and increased SWEDEN Gustav and Prime Minister Göran Persson, the country’s standing in the world and Lennart Johansson chose to dedicate of football. Award for the award to the countless leaders at The new Mission-Oriented Lennart Johansson grassroots level who work voluntarily for Comprehensive Programme of Football There was an unusual twist the sports movement in Sweden. Development in Ukraine for 2003-2008 when public service TV Andreas Nilsson takes account of the possible risks as channel SVT broadcast their well as of the errors and shortcomings of annual review of the Swedish national SWITZERLAND the previous programme. The fulfilment of the new programme will be dependant team and the 2002 World Cup. Besides Swiss Cup the usual offering of highlights and goals, on the financial support of the Cabinet more attractive Ministers of Ukraine and state regional viewers got to hear coaching duo Lars and exciting Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg discuss administrations. tactics and substitutions during the World The Swiss Football The experts elaborating the Cup games versus Argentina and Senegal. Association (SFV) has introduced some new programme have defined the priority This came as a great surprise to the important, revolutionary changes to the directions which form the strategic basis Swedish FA, who did not know that it was format of the Swiss Cup. From next for the development of football and actually possible for TV broadcasters to season, football fans will find the Swiss which will take up the main resources: listen in on the dugout during games. Cup easier to follow, more exciting 1. Development of children’s According to FIFA, these record- and more attractive. and amateur football. ings must be regarded as unfortunate Instead of the traditional 2. Further improvement of and accidental – there was definitely no 196 teams, only 64 will participate, playing professional football. intention that microphones should be able six rounds instead of eight. These 3. Higher quality education of to pick up discussions between coaches matches will be played at weekends at coaches and other football specialists. and players during games. What SVT had regular intervals. 4. Development of material done was to let sound engineers work Since teams from the top two and technical resources. on the World Cup tapes to enhance audio national divisions will be involved from the 5. State support of football recorded from a microphone placed very first round and the first two rounds and development of the legal and leg- close to the dugout, a microphone that will be played on a regional basis, there islative foundations. was placed with the intention to record will be a greater likelihood of attractive The Ukrainian government has spectator sounds. local derbies with giant-killing potential. instructed central and local bodies of the The programme sparked a Cup pairings such as Gland vs Servette, executive power to assist the development debate on whether TV companies should Giubiasco v Lugano, Nordstern vs FC Basel, of football in Ukraine and its regions in be allowed to “eavesdrop” on what is said Thalwil vs Grasshopper-Club and Münsingen every possible way. The State Committee on the bench during games. The Swedish vs Young Boys will, in future, be much more of Ukraine for Physical Culture and Sports FA’s position on the matter remains that common than before, when the top clubs and the State Committee for Construc- this is not acceptable – especially when it were given a bye in the early rounds. tion have to strictly follow UEFA’s recom- A major sponsor has already mendations and requirements for build- been found for the competition. Swisscom ing and modernising stadiums. In the fixnet has signed a four-year deal as the budget of the State Committee for 2004, main sponsor with the Cup’s marketing the Ministry of Finance has to include agent Sportart AG. separate financing for the FFU for train- Pierre Benoit ing and for the participation of the national teams in international tourna- UKRAINE ments. Consequently, everyone involved in the development of football in Ukraine State cares will give more attention to this aspect in about football their day-to-day activity and be able to Under the chairmanship receive financial support. of Deputy Prime Minister The solution of many problems Dmytro Tabachnyk, the Ukrainian govern- will be provided by the state. ment has held an important conference This support is of vital impor- on the realisation of the Mission-Oriented tance to the FFU and deserves special SWEDEN Comprehensive Programme of Football attention, since it shows that we are Lennart Johansson receives Development in Ukraine for 1997-2002. working together and have our sights set his award from King Carl XVI Gustav (left) The programme was summed up and the on the same objective – the development and Prime Minister further development of football in of Ukrainian football.

Göran Persson. BILDBYRÅN Ukraine was discussed. In spite of the Valeriy Nykonenko

22 uefadirect 2.03 EMPICS

THETECHNICIAN as supplement Starting with the next issue of uefa- communicationsbirthdays – calendar direct and subsequently every three months (June, September and December), The Technician, which, to date, has been a UEFA publication reserved Birthdays Keith Cooper (Wales, 21.3) for experts in the technical sector, will be Michail Kassabov (Bulgaria, 22.3) UEFA Disciplinary Inspector Edgar Obertüfer Luca Zorzi (Switzerland, 22.3) included as a supplement to uefadirect, (Switzerland) celebrates his 75th birthday on Jorge Monteiro Coroado (Portugal, 23.3) thereby extending its circulation to 29 March. Executive Committee member Andrea Lastrucci (Italy, 23.3) all readers of this monthly publication Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Germany) will be 70 on Stefan Reshko (Ukraine, 24.3) when The Technician switches to a Maurizio Laudi (Italy, 24.3) 3 March, a milestone at which Club Competitions new, colour format. Medicine Matters Committee member Pedro Maria Aurteneche Kurt Helmer Sørensen (Denmark, 25.3) Viñegra (Spain) joins him on 7 March. Reaching Raymond Kiddell (England, 26.3) will follow suit in due course. the half-century mark are Brian Kerr (Republic Wilfried Straub (Germany, 26.3) of Ireland), a member of the Youth Coaches Ilija Atanasovski (FYR Macedonia, 26.3) Panel (3 March), Valeriy Nykonenko (Ukraine), Kemal Kapulluoglu (Turkey, 26.3) Announcements a member of the Media Panel (13 March), and Konstantin Vikhrov (Ukraine, 27.3) Referee Observers Panel members Marcello Guglielmo Petrosino (Italy, 27.3) Since 1 February, the Portuguese Nicchi (Italy), on 18 March, and Stefan Ormandjiev Joseph Gauci (Malta, 27.3) Football Federation has a new general (Bulgaria) on 29 March. José Antonio Casajús (Spain, 27.3) secretary. He is Manuel Mourato Birthday greetings are also extended to: Pavel Ciobanu (Moldova, 28.3) Quaresma, who has been head of the Benny Jacobsen (Denmark, 1.3) Mario van der Ende (Netherlands, 28.3) Football and Education department until Sergey Tatulyan (Ukraine, 1.3) Hans Lesterhuis (Netherlands, 29.3) Damir Vrbanovic (Croatia, 2.3) Valentin Cojuhari (Moldova, 29.3) now. He replaces Antonio Sequeira, José M. García-Aranda (Spain, 3.3) Galina Epishkina (Russia, 29.3) who has stood down for health reasons. Dragan Stojkovic (Yugoslavia, 3.3) Tore Krogstad (Norway, 30.3) Markus Wanger has resigned as Esa Antero Palsi (Finland, 4.3) Karl Schmidt (Germany, 5.3) president of the FA of Liechtenstein. Boris Durlen (Croatia, 6.3) Forthcoming events Vice-President Fredi Hilti is acting presi- Liana Melania Stoicescu (Romania, 6.3) MEETINGS dent until the next elections. Dusan Maravic (Yugoslavia, 7.3) Thomas Frank (Hungary, 7.3) 5.3.2003, Nyon The uefa.com website has extended Tomás Gea (Andorra, 7.3) Stadium and Security Committee the range of languages it offers Josep Lluís Vilaseca Guash (Spain, 8.3) 5.3.2003, London from English, French, German, Italian Giorgio Crescentini (San Marino, 8.3) European on racism conference and Spanish to also include Japanese, Alexis Ponnet (Belgium, 9.3) 20.3.2003, Nyon Russian and Portuguese. Vladimir Aleshin (Russia, 9.3) Club Competitions Committee Henk Kesler (Netherlands, 9.3) On 12 February, the draw for the Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland, 10.3) 20.3.2003, Nyon Licensed Match Agents Panel Confederations Cup produced the two Amãndio de Carvalho (Portugal, 10.3) Mateo Beusan (Croatia, 10.3) 21.3.2003, Nyon following groups: Draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals Philip Don (England, 10.3) A: France, Japan, Colombia, New Zealand Lucien Kayser (Luxembourg, 11.3) of the UEFA Champions League Peter Ridsdale (England, 11.3) and for the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup B: Brazil, USA, , Turkey Olga Zhukovska (Ukraine, 11.3) 25-26.3.2003, Rome The tournament will take place from Jean-François Crucke (Belgium, 12.3) Executive Committee Vlastibor Minarovjech (Slovakia, 13.3) 27.3.2003, Rome 18 to 29 June. Thomas Partl (Austria, 13.3) XXVII Ordinary Congress Robin Russell (England, 14.3) David Taylor (Scotland, 14.3) COMPETITIONS Obituary Günter Linn (Germany, 16.3) 11-12.3.2003 Kevin Verity (England, 16.3) UEFA Champions League: Trevor Morris, a former member of Cornelius Bakker, (Netherlands, 17.3) second group stage (match day 5) the Youth Committee, Amateur Football Christakis Skapoullis (Cyprus, 18.3) 13.3.2003 Committee and Non-Professional Players' Andreas Georgiou (Cyprus, 18.3) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (first legs) Committee, as well as a UEFA transfer Mario Macalli (Italy, 19.3) Fabio Baldas (Italy, 19.3) 18-19.3.2003 expert, passed away on 3 February, aged Rune Bratseth (Norway, 19.3) UEFA Champions League: 82, after a short illness. second group stage (match day 6) Lambros Adamou (Cyprus, 20.3) Mr Morris served as general secretary 20.3.2003 Henning Lund-Sørensen (Denmark, 20.3) of the FA of Wales from 1971 to 1982. Aristides Stathopoulos (Greece, 20.3) UEFA Cup: quarter-finals (return legs) Bülent Yavuz (Turkey, 20.3) 25.3-16.4.2003, United Arab Emirates He was awarded the OBE in 1976 for his Jim Boyce (Northern Ireland, 21.3) World Youth Championship services to football.

we care about football Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications and Public Affairs Division Editorial deadline: 14 February 2003 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 CH-1260 Nyon Union des associations Suisse européennes de football Téléphone +41 22 994 44 44 Téléfax +41 22 994 44 88 uefa.com