2.03 1 including EURO 2004 bonuses 04 Seminar for women referees 05 AC Milan prepare for Tokyo 08 Strict liability 10 no 20 – december 2003 COVER IN THIS ISSUE European/South American Cup 08 Reigning European champions EURO 2004 bonuses 04 Strict liability 10 France (Jean Alain Boumsong) are seeded for the EURO 2004 draw. Seminar European for women referees 05 Futsal Championship 14 PHOTO: BONGARTS/H.SZWARC 2006 World Cup draw 07 News from member associations 17 My partingEditorial words >Ever since I took office in 1989, I have used this Administration and UEFA committees for greater efficiency, column – which I have since signed over 150 times – as a the introduction of the European club licence, the campaign way to bring European football, with all its different aspects, against racism in football, the fair-play campaign based closer to the reader and to present UEFA’s point of view on respect, the joint EU/UEFA anti-smoking campaign, our on topical issues. Now the time has come for me to write my strong commitment to a number of charitable organisa- last editorial before I retire. tions and much more besides. Looking back, there are many positive achievements And yet, the future is not totally unclouded. to report, not least in the competition sector, which has Clubs will have to put their finances in order and efforts will grown in all areas, so that today some 1,500 international have to be made to ensure that football does not become matches are played every year. Then there is the tremen- downgraded to a purely commercial affair, that its unity is dous development of the European Football Championship, preserved, that it remains a sport and a game and that the creation of the captivating UEFA Champions League, top-level football continues to live up to its commitment to with its unique marketing concept and its worldwide appeal, solidarity in its own ranks but also vis-à-vis grassroots the revamped UEFA Cup, the continuing development of football. The credibility of our beloved game is vital to the women’s football and futsal, the introduction of the Euro- loyalty of our supporters, and both are necessary if football pean coaching licence, the modernisation of stadiums, the is to thrive in the future. Moreover, those who occupy creation of the European Club Forum, structured coopera- official positions have the great responsibility of managing tion with the European professional leagues, the reduction football as trustees and not abusing it for their own pres- of the financial burden on national associations and the tige and personal ends. If these principles continue to simultaneous increase in solidarity payments to clubs, prevail in European football – and I am confident leagues and associations, the East European Assistance that they will – we can look forward to a Programme, which is now giving way to the HatTrick glorious time ahead. programme which covers all Europe, and the Meridian So I bid you “goodbye for now” Project in favour of football in Africa. Also worthy of and wish all readers and friends of football mention in this respect are the newly introduced grass- a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy roots football programme, the establishment and and successful new year. successful development of UEFA New Media, the opening of a UEFA office in Brussels for EU matters, improved Gerhard Aigner relations with the European institutions, the new organisa- Chief Executive tional arrangements for the EURO final round based on a joint venture with the local organising com- mittee, the formation of a Marketing Operations Centre for EURO 2004, the professional manage- ment of refereeing, with the formation of cate- gories and efficient scouting and intensive sup- port and mentoring of talented young referees, the modernisation of disciplinary proceedings, the introduction of an annual Ordinary UEFA Congress and annual approval of the accounts, the relocation of the Administration from Bern to Nyon and the construction of the House of European Football, the restructuring of the we care about football A-BOZZANI UEF 02 uefadirect 12.03 EURO 2004D rina w Portugal i n L i s b o n The Portuguese public are eager to see their team in action in the final round. ASH PRESS FL FROM THE START OF SEPTEMBER 2002 UP TO MID-OCTOBER 2003, round of the current European EUROPE’S NATIONAL TEAMS WERE INVOLVED IN THE QUALIFYING PHASE Championship. The Executive Committee OF THE 2002-04 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP. also took note of the progress of preparatory work for the finals and At that point, ten teams – draw at the Atlantic Pavilion in Lisbon. commented on the impressive the group winners – were able to start A number of press conferences will efforts made to ensure that the ten making plans for the period be organised around this cere- stadiums will be ready to do duty as from 12 June to 4 July 2004, mony as well as a meeting of match venues. They will all be opera- when the final tournament will the National Teams Committee, tional from the end of this year. take place in Portugal. Five sponsor and media workshops This is a tremendous feat considering more teams had to survive and the presentation of the that six of the ten stadiums were the play-offs (on a home-and- EURO 2004 ball. built from scratch and the other four away basis) between the group At its meeting on 5 and renovated. The Executive Committee runners-up. By mid-November, the 6 November in Kiev, the Executive also appreciated the Portuguese list of the 16 finalists was complete, Committee naturally dealt with Government’s efforts, and in particu- including Portugal, who qualify the organisation of this draw, which lar their financial contribution, automatically as host nation. will be seeded in accordance with towards the promotion of the final Just under two years since the the competition regulations. The host tournament next summer, and draw in Porto in January 2002 which country (Portugal) and the reigning welcomed the good news concerning determined the qualifying groups, champions (France) are the top seeds; ticket sales so far. The Executive the representatives of the 16 finalists the other teams are ranked on the Committee also reserved the possi- will be returning to Portugal on basis of their results in the 2002 World bility of transferring, where feasible, 30 November to attend the final round Cup qualifiers and the qualifying a match considered to be high risk A minimum of CHF 7.5 million for the finalists, among them England (right, in white, against Turkey) and Bulgaria (in white, against Andorra). ASH PRESS ASH PRESS FL FL from one stadium to another better G for each group match, Silver goal equipped in terms of safety and security. the winners will receive CHF 1 million; Any such venue changes would be in case of a draw, each team will extended to made immediately after the draw. receive CHF 500,000. A team winning all their matches will therefore EURO 2004 Distribution of the proceeds receive CHF 3 million; In Kiev, the Executive Com- G the quarter-finalists will In the interests of uniformity, mittee also approved be rewarded with a cheque for UEFA has decided to extend the the proposed distribu- CHF 3 million; application of the “silver goal” tion of the share of the G the four semi-finalists will rule already in force in the UEFA proceeds earmarked for receive CHF 4 million each; club competitions to the EURO the participating associ- G CHF 6 million will be paid out 2004 matches. This was already ations. In addition to to each of the two finalists and the case for the play-offs and travel expenses and daily allowances, the lucky winners will receive will also apply in the final round they will receive between them a an additional CHF 4 million. in Portugal from the quarter-finals total of CHF 200 million, intended G If the new European cham- onwards. According to this rule, primarily to improve infrastructure pions win their three group matches on the match ends after a first and coaching at home. the way to lifting the title, they will 15 minutes of extra time if one These CHF 200 million will therefore take home CHF 27.5 million. team has gone into the lead. be divided into fixed amounts and By way of comparison, the Otherwise, a second 15-minute bonuses: amount paid out to the EURO 2000 period of extra time is played. G a fixed amount of CHF 7.5 participants was CHF 120 million and The match does not end prema- million will be paid to each of the 16 the maximum amount that a team turely if one team moves ahead. participating teams; could take home was CHF 14.4 million. Portugal has managed to build an incredible number of stadiums – including the new Leiria stadium – in a short space of time. ONE T S KEY 04 uefadirect 12.03 Enjoying ... listening the seminar... to expert Michel Vautrot. A-BOZZANI OS: UEF T PHO Interpretation International of Law 11: Offside At the Annual Business Meeting of the International FA Board on Successful 2nd UEFA Seminar 16 September 2003, a decision was women referees passed in order to ensure uniform interpretation of Law 11: Offside. THE ELITE OF EUROPE’S WOMEN REFEREES – SOME OF WHOM HAVE ALREADY The aim of this decision is to respect the Laws of the Game and MADE THEIR MARK IN THE TOP-FLIGHT MEN’S GAME – GATHERED AT THE HOUSE to protect attacking play intended OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL IN NYON ON 29 OCTOBER FOR to lead to a goal, which is the THE 2nd UEFA SEMINAR FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN REFEREES.