2.03 Meridian Cup and Project 03 Referee courses in Corfu 06 A dynamic federation 10 Congress in the spotlight 13 no 11 – february 2003 no 11 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 The Football Association 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 midfielder 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.