o. 173 N Mircea Lucescu’s coaching Mircea Lucescu’s convictions THE TECHNICIAN INTERVIEW UEFA vice-president UEFA Fernando Gomes

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS ALL WHERE IT Grassroots football takes centre stage throughout centre stage Europe takes football Grassroots #EQUALGAME The story of Jane, a young wheelchair footballer

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02 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 EDITORIAL

‘WITHOUT GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL, THERE IS NO ELITE’

he strength of football lies in its grassroots. of the bigger picture of European football, they These are the opening words of this are just as important. Every Cristiano Ronaldo or T month’s cover story, and for me, they Lieke Martens has to start somewhere, and it is perfectly sum up our position on the importance the people at the beginning of that journey who of the grassroots game. Judging by our member inspire us to take part, nurture our love of the associations’ fantastic participation in the annual game and encourage us to try our best. This year’s UEFA Grassroots Week, I am delighted to say that winners were, as always, shining examples of the a great many people seem to agree. From 23 to kind of people and ideas that make you proud to 30 September, we invited the European football work in football. community to get creative and inspire others to I would like to close by congratulating and get involved by demonstrating the full range and thanking everyone who helped make the 2017 breadth of our beautiful game. UEFA Grassroots Week such a triumph and all The response was phenomenal – a celebration those people who have such love for the amateur of the sport for all, regardless of age, gender, game. Let us keep nurturing, strengthening and ability or beliefs. From projects for grandmothers investing in this key side of football, as that is in Lithuania and prisoners in Spain to street what will ensure the continued success of the football in Ukraine and a programme for children game across our continent. with health problems in Greece, it truly was a display of football at its most vibrant, diverse and inspiring. All these activities were among the highlights of the year, and served to remind us of just how important it is to continue championing the grassroots game. Speaking of championing, we recently handed out our annual UEFA Grassroots Awards. These awards may not get the same publicity as, for Theodore Theodoridis example, the UEFA Player of the Year, but in terms UEFA General Secretary

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 03 CONTENTS

28 Getty Images

Official publication of the Union of European Football Associations

06 LFF Chief editor: Emmanuel Deconche

Deputy chief editor: Dominique Maurer IN THIS ISSUE Chief writer: Mark Chaplin

External contributors: 6 Grassroots Week 25 Financial fair play Laure James (page 6) Grassroots football in all its different UEFA’s 55 member associations come Michael Tsapidis (page 6 - Greek part) guises takes centre stage across Europe. together for a workshop in Montenegro. Fare network (page 14) Borgonovo Foundation (page 24) Johannes L. Tol (page 26) 14 Social responsibility 26 Research Grant Programme UEFA promotes the Fare Football People A UEFA-supported project tests a new Translations: action weeks in support of inclusion approach to analysing hamstring injuries. UEFA Language Services and diversity. Production: 27 A healthy heart your goal Touchline 16 #EqualGame Raising awareness of cardiovascular Printing: For nine-year-old Jane, who uses a disease at Women’s EURO 2017. Artgraphic Cavin, wheelchair, football is much more CH-1422 Grandson than a game. 28 Fernando Gomes Editorial deadline: UEFA’s Portuguese vice-president shares 10 November 2017 24 Luís Figo his vision of European football. The Portuguese legend joins UEFA Cover photo: as a football ambassador. Hervé Galand/FFF

04 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 CONTENTS

16 UEFA

38

Getty Images 14 network Ryu Voelkel/Fare

35 Coach education The latest UEFA Coach Education 27 Conference points the way forward.

36 For the record All the goals from Women’s EURO 2017.

38 The Technician Mircea Lucescu talks to UEFA Direct.

44 News from member associations UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 05 GRASSROOTS WEEK

Lithuania’s You’re Never Too Old initiative proves a big hit. LFF GRASSROOTS EVENTS APLENTY The strength of football lies in its grassroots. This year’s UEFA Grassroots Week, held from 23 to 30 September, helped give thousands of people of all ages, genders and social backgrounds opportunities to get involved in the world’s number one sport, with many discovering football for the very first time or returning after a lengthy spell away from the pitch.

n conjunction with the European as an opportunity to inspire children under by allowing them to run, jump, climb, Commission’s European Week of six to develop their football skills. With push, pull, turn, stop, accelerate, dribble, Sport, UEFA asked its member the support of clubs and local schools, throw … while introducing them to ball associations to facilitate, encourage Festifoot events were organised control and striking,” he said. “Festifoot and inspire participation in all forms throughout the country. They proved was also an opportunity to introduce Iof football to celebrate the grassroots to be both fun and entertaining for the children to the values of respect and fair game in Europe. children involved, and a great way to play, from their first steps in football to publicise opportunities for children to the implementation of a fair play protocol Belgium play football in their local areas. before and after the activities.” Football is a lifelong passion for so many The Belgian FA’s grassroots manager, Festifoot gave hundreds of young people throughout Europe, and this love Jonas Heuts, was delighted with how children a first taste of football. “We now affair often begins at an early age. With well the Festifoot initiative was received. hope that these young girls and boys will that in mind, the Royal Belgian Football “Festifoot challenges are designed to help join the wider football family through Federation used UEFA Grassroots Week develop the motor skills of young children our clubs,” Heuts added.

06 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 Gibraltar training centre to take part in games, UEFA Grassroots Week was also celebrated Gibraltar’s showpiece event during UEFA quizzes and other football-related activities. in Florina, a border area of Greece, Grassroots Week was a fun day welcoming National team head coach Kostas Tsanas, where 80 children from local schools and over 230 children from around the capital together with performance coach Grigoris football academies were welcomed to the to the Victoria Stadium for an event Bizas and goalkeeper of the Under-21 municipal sports centre for speeches from packed with football-themed activities. national team Lefteris Astras, was on coaches and veteran players. An event on In the spirit of making football fully hand to offer the children tips and the Greek island of Zakynthos, which accessible to all, it was not just an encouragement. Afterwards, one young was recently affected by fires, brought opportunity for 11-a-side matches – small- participant, Maria, declared her newfound together 150 young players and a girls’ sided games, mini-tournaments, futsal for love for the game. “I have no words to football event in Thessaloniki proved Under-12s and Under-14s, table football describe the excitement I felt,” she said. equally popular. and girls’ and women’s football matches “I was running everywhere all the time. were also on the programme, while the Playing with a ball was fun for me.” Lithuania Gibraltar Special Olympics team played Elsewhere in Greece, the Hellenic Imagine if players were responsible for an exhibition match against Gibraltar’s Football Federation teamed up with refereeing their own match. That is just Under-16 national team. a refugee accommodation centre in what the Lithuanian Football Federation It was the culmination of a nationwide Andravida, using football to support (LFF) decided to do during UEFA programme of events, including walking its continued efforts to integrate refugee Grassroots Week, when mixed teams of and veterans football. The Gibraltar FA’s children aged between 6 and 12 in boys and girls were invited to make their grassroots manager, Leslie Asquez, the area. own calls in a friendly tournament. believes the hard work paid off and is already thinking about ways to make next year’s week another to remember. “I am The Hellenic Football Federation extremely delighted at the way the UEFA teamed up with a centre for child Grassroots Week turned out,” he said. refugees in Andravida. “Seeing the children come down to our Sunday Funday and watching as they had fun learning about the beautiful game, as well as learning basic football skills, makes it all worthwhile. At all of the events we put on, the enjoyment factor was great to see, from the youngsters to the older generations who were taking part in walking football. “They haven’t lost their love of the game, and it’s amazing to see them with a platform to enjoy playing football regularly with the development of walking football. Now the work starts to plan next year’s events, which we hope will be bigger and better.” The association’s Play Without Pressure motto was a common theme, encouraging young children to play, whether for the first time or as regulars on the pitch, for the enjoyment and without the weight of expectation.

Greece Having a ball at your feet brings a smile to your face – a simple idea but one that clearly resonated with the 500 children aged 6 to 16 who took part in UEFA Grassroots Week activities throughout Greece. In Athens, boys and girls represented by the charity The Smile of the Child, which supports children who have suffered violence, have long-term health problems or are living in poverty, came together at the Hellenic Football Federation’s national HFF

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 07 GRASSROOTS WEEK

Shining the spotlight on fair play and before,” said Greta Guižauskaitė, the LFF’s Catherine Stensaker and Mia Stoknes respect, the young players were also grassroots manager. of Ready 1907’s event committee were invited after their matches to share their “Our grandmothers said they wanted hugely encouraged by the uptake. “It was thoughts on how to get the most out to spread the message that football is great to see so many happy and interested of football. the perfect way to spend your leisure children come to Ready’s facilities on a Lithuania’s week of grassroots time, and that there’s no age limit for chilly Sunday – from clubs on both sides activities brought people of all ages having fun.” of our city. This is clearly a popular activity onto the pitch, with two projects in among our younger players, but also particular keeping young and older Norway among everyone at the clubs involved,” players in mind. Kindergarten football Trophies galore were up for grabs during Stoknes said. offered children of kindergarten age UEFA Grassroots Week in Norway, where Stensaker agreed: “We are delighted the opportunity to enjoy five-a-side a new league for small-sided games was that Ready will be able to use football matches with their teachers, while the also launched. Meanwhile, grassroots equipment from the Football Association You’re Never Too Old initiative championed tournaments and activities were organised of Norway’s regional association in Oslo. the cause of ‘grandmothers for grassroots’. throughout the country with a view to The club will be able to borrow up to 16 The children’s event in Vilnius was getting more children involved in the new portable pitches to organise three-a- supported by the local women’s football game. side OBOS mini-league matches for girls club, with prizes and gifts for over 200 With the support of the Football and boys aged six and seven.” participants, while in Marijampolė, You’re Association of Norway’s regional Never Too Old welcomed around 30 association in Oslo, the capital city Romania women, many of whom were giving celebrated the launch of the OBOS Accessibility was given centre stage in football a go for the very first time. The mini-league, following its successful pilot Romania during UEFA Grassroots Week, eldest participant was 81 years young. at Ready 1907 football club, which went as the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) “This was the second time we had on to host cup tournaments in November, teamed up with charitable organisations delivered this project, so some players had demonstrating how UEFA Grassroots to bring football to children and young done it before, but this time they brought Week has helped to create a legacy of people with disabilities. their friends, who had never played small-sided games for boys and girls. In association with the Down Plus

UEFA DONATES MAXI-PITCH IN MARSEILLE

French footballing legend David Trezeguet and aimed at promoting sport and ‘Now is their time’ joined in the UEFA Grassroots Week physical activity across Europe via its “I’m really moved by these kids,” said celebrations in Marseille on 30 September, #BeActive campaign. former Juventus and Monaco forward and was moved by seeing so many young More than 200 children aged between Trezeguet. “They enjoy being on this players united by the game. The 1998 7 and 11 from two different schools in pitch – they play together and have fun. World Cup and EURO 2000 winner was Marseille’s 12th district attended Sévan Football can be really strong. It unites among the guests invited to the stadium for the inauguration of the new people from very different cultural inauguration of a synthetic maxi-pitch facility, which was financed through a backgrounds as well.” Watching the donated by UEFA to the French city and €100,000 donation by UEFA. Sévan children, he added: “Now is their time 2017 European Capital of Sport. UEFA’s stadium is home to UGA Ardziv, a club to play. They are the future.” Grassroots Week is aligned with the founded in 1924 and made up of 17 The boys and girls played age- European Week of Sport – an initiative teams that are all set to benefit from appropriate small-sided matches and set up by the European Commission the investment. took part in skills challenges and educational games featuring the Laws of the Game. The event was organised by UEFA, the French Football Federation, the Mediterranean regional league, the district of Provence and the French Galand, FFF education ministry. Herv é Keeping the love alive Investments in grassroots initiatives are essential to efforts to boost participation. Football helps to bring people together and teach important life values, and NFF

Young children took centre stage in Norway. and Help Autism associations, football An adults’ amateur tournament attracted Clackmannanshire’s festival, just one of tournaments were rolled out for 50 200 players along to Bucharest, while dozens of events held over the seven days. children with Down’s syndrome and grassroots investment in Romania can “Some of these girls may not have known autism, with all of them receiving also be found in the Football and they’d have an opportunity to play at high medals afterwards. Femininity campaign for boosting female school, so it’s really great to encourage Elsewhere, the FRF’s junior grassroots participation, primary school football and them now,” Ross said. “Grassroots football cup welcomed 180 children aged between beach soccer. is hugely important; if you don’t have seven and ten, who competed over four Meanwhile, if jumpers can be goalposts, grassroots, you don’t have any other days in mixed boys’ and girls’ teams, while then any street can become a stadium. games, so we need to try to encourage the grassroots league in Timisoara hosted That was the FRF’s mantra as it took as many girls and boys as we can to 700 eager young players aged from just the opportunity to develop ‘Transformă get involved by giving them quality five, who stayed until the sun went down. ulița în stadion’ (Turn the street into a opportunities to play the game.” It was not just children who got involved. stadium), a project helping over 1,000 These days, Scots are spoilt for choice. children in both rural and urban areas There are a vast number of footballing to play football. It is part of the wider opportunities already on offer across ‘Performanța are viitor’ (Performance has a the country, from walking football and future) project, which gives young players over-35s games, to futsal, deaf, blind and aged between 10 and 14 the chance to ‘frames’ football, for those unable to play earn places at development centres and mainstream games. everyone should be able to benefit. show their skills in mini-tournaments. Social media engagement played a big With dropout rates across Europe part in Scotland during Grassroots Week, increasing at youth level, UEFA believes Scotland with almost 700,000 impressions on that it is crucial to continue to invest in From the Borders to the Shetland Islands, Twitter alone and 3,940 photos given grassroots football and ensure that it is football is a way of life for a huge part of a ‘thumbs up’ in a show of support for open and accessible to all. the Scottish population, and grassroots the extensive national grassroots network. Grassroots football and solidarity is football is essential in offering enthusiastic one of UEFA’s 11 values. The strength players of all ages and abilities, or in Serbia of football lies in its grassroots, without remote areas, a regular chance to have a The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) which there can be no elite game. ball at their feet. joined forces with the country’s regional With this in mind, UEFA usually donates Having established a flourishing football associations to hold a variety of three maxi-pitches a year – one to the grassroots programme nationwide, the events, focusing in particular on boosting European Capital of Sport and one Scottish Football Association is now participation among children, including to each of the cities that host the working to craft a legacy from UEFA those with special learning needs and Champions League and Europa Grassroots Week. Football chiefs took physical and sensory disabilities. League finals. the opportunity to launch a new brand Clubs and schools in each regional The administrative director of for their grassroots division, presenting area worked with league administrators the Mediterranean regional league, Football For Life, part of a new four-year in Belgrade to give children with special Raphaël Boutin, emphasised the strategy to boost involvement. Beyond needs the opportunity to enjoy a football importance of investing in grassroots growing the game, Football for Life festival, welcoming over 150 children to football: “We need facilities to keep encourages lifelong participation – not a rather unique location for football: Ada grassroots football alive, especially in only increasing numbers but ensuring that Ciganlija, an artificial island built on the a city like Marseille, a football city once players take up football, they stay Sava river. with an increasing number of with it for life. There were plenty of other opportunities registered players.” Scotland international Leanne Ross to play football during UEFA Grassroots got involved and met some of the Week. The Vojvodina regional association primary school girls taking part in marked the annual celebration with a

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 09 GRASSROOTS WEEK

day dedicated to schools football, With an emphasis on improving access a publicity boost during UEFA Grassroots encouraging around 300 boys and girls to to football for everyone, prisoners from Week. A five-a-side tournament was also get involved and catering for all abilities Logroño prison were given a chance held with youth and women’s categories. and access needs. to compete in a special integration Coach education was another key Western Serbia played host to a special tournament, followed by a presentation theme throughout the country. Sports day giving young girls and children with on managing adversity in coaching given and leadership conferences were held in special learning needs a chance to get out by Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) schools, designed to inspire grassroots onto a pitch, with a fully accessible coach Juan Carlos Luque. coaches with stories of how access to tournament and girls’ league held in Participants commented on how sport had changed lives. Čačak. Played on the artificial turf at FK the activities had given them hope, Borac Čačak’s facilities, the event was one describing it as “a transformational Ukraine attended by around 200 children. experience”. “We are very grateful to Former Ukraine stars were among the Over in the east of the country, UEFA and the RFEF for taking the initiative thousands of people who turned out to around 500 boys and girls participated to organise these types of activity,” said support UEFA Grassroots Week in what in an all-day event in Niš, at the city’s Vicente Pérez Corral, the prison’s director. was one the biggest events of its kind in main sports centre. This year’s Grassroots “They are extremely useful for us and for the country. Former internationals Oleh Week also helped to publicise the ongoing our prisoners. Football is a perfect way to Protasov and Ivan Iaremchuk attended the programme My School - My Club, which develop skills useful in the workplace opening ceremony in the Obolon district encourages schools in Serbia to establish and for reintegration into society.” of Kiev, where an enormous movable clubs and encourage them to play in Meanwhile, another tournament in pitch was installed for street football. regional leagues, thus developing a love of Logroño gave women and veterans The Ukrainian Football Federation (FFU) football in children and enabling them to from around the world a chance to ensured that every region was involved be part of a team from a young age. compete with one another, with teams in the showpiece week through its 26 While the regional associations representing three continents. “It’s very regional associations, whether in urban managed the delivery of projects, the FSS hard for us to find tournaments to or rural areas. ploughed resources into promoting events compete in so we didn’t want to miss Events had been promoted at top-level and providing equipment. this opportunity,” said Javier Roca games to raise awareness, while five-day from Deporte sin Barreras (Sport festivals were held in schools across the Spain without Barriers). country for groups of children who had Thousands of players from across If the dipping temperatures in autumn previously experienced a lower level of Spain got involved in the country’s were enough to send a chill through some access to football and other leisure biggest involvement to date in UEFA Spaniards, indoor football was a great activities. Half of these were children of Grassroots Week. opportunity to get active and received soldiers and military workers, alongside others who had been displaced internally, while a third were girls and many more were children with special needs and social vulnerabilities. All were given an opportunity to make new friends, strengthen social connections and indulge in their love of football. Olympic pole vault gold medallist Serhii Bubka wowed the young participants at the opening ceremomy by giving masterclasses in fitness, attended by Ukraine’s minister for youth and sport, Ihor Zhdanov. The closing ceremony was held at the FFU technical centre and included a champions festival combining football competitions, masterclasses, contests and interactive games. Former Dynamo Kyiv striker Oleh Protasov and defender Anatoliy Demyanenko presented each young player with a commemorative ball, champion’s medal and UEFA Grassroots

RFEF Week participation certificate.

Football for all in Spain 2017 GRASSROOTS AWARDS WINNERS

Northern Ireland, Italy and Armenia won gold in the 2017 UEFA Grassroots Day Awards, which honour the best clubs, projects and leaders in Europe for the excellence of their work in this crucial sector of the game.

The nominations for the awards in the The awards reward excellence in the projects around Europe, and will continue categories of Best Grassroots Club, grassroots field – seen by UEFA as crucial to do so to ensure that football can be Best Grassroots Project and Best in helping to nurture football’s overall played by all.” Grassroots Leader – as proposed by the good health. “I would like to thank all those who bureau of the UEFA Grassroots Panel “Grassroots is football’s lifeblood have worked tirelessly to make sure that and the UEFA Development and Technical because without healthy foundations, people of all abilities can play this game at Assistance Committee – were endorsed by our sport cannot flourish,” said the UEFA grassroots level. Thanks to their dedication, the Executive Committee at its meeting of president, Aleksander Čeferin. “UEFA loyalty, sacrifice and love for the game, the 20 September. has always invested heavily in grassroots sport’s future is in safe hands,” he added.

BEST CLUB, GOLD

St Oliver Plunkett (Northern Ireland)

St Oliver Plunkett, a youth-focused club, want to get our message out that it benefitted him since he started has been recognised for helping hundreds doesn’t matter what ability you have, it playing there: “The coaches, they all of children in Belfast to make lasting doesn’t matter what box somebody wants teach you loads of lessons that you’ll connections through football, reinforcing to put you in, you’re more than welcome carry throughout your life. They the principle that some of the strongest at our club. The young people take great taught me respect. Although I have friendships are forged across frontiers. pride in the jersey and they’re proud learned respect in my home, they Credited with changing lives in the putting it on every single week. It’s not just taught me how to respect; it’s just a greater Belfast area, St Oliver Plunkett about the football. There’s that sense of different kind of respect – respect for has given over 500 boys and girls from belonging, the pride in the jersey, the your coaches and team-mates – and different backgrounds the opportunity camaraderie, the teamwork. Everything they’ve also taught me how to work to play football together, not only comes together and strengthens those as a unit, and they give you some promoting respect and fair play on the bonds. I’ve known a lot of the coaches at self-discipline.” pitch, but helping young people to make the club since primary school; we’ve been The Irish Football Association also lasting social connections in neighbouring friends for life. And it’s vitally important hosts its own grassroots awards, communities. that we offer those opportunities for championed by former Northern “As far as we’re concerned, everybody’s the young people of today.” Ireland and Arsenal goalkeeper Pat welcome through that door,” explained One of those young players, Emel Jennings and designed to recognise the club secretary, Neil McKee. “We just Melville, told UEFA how the club has excellence throughout the province.

BEST CLUB, SILVER BEST CLUB, BRONZE

FV Blau-Weiss Gonnesweiler e. V. (Germany) FK Breznica Pljevlja (Montenegro) FV Blau-Weiss earned silver for its growing commitment to helping refugees to integrate into the community. Already giving hundreds of Founded in 2013, FK Breznica Pljevlja now members a chance to play regular games, in 2014 the club turned its has 300 members, including 100 girls and attention to helping refugees off the pitch, developing first-aid veterans. The Montenegro club has six programmes and language courses and offering tailored assistance, in UEFA-licensed coaches and uses sport to foster particular to Arabic-speaking women. “We never expected [to win silver]; a spirit of community and to promote healthy we were just speechless,” said the club’s chairman, Stefan Kunz. “For us, lifestyles. The club also organises an annual this is very ‘pure’ recognition, which is not associated with prize money. international girls’ tournament and participates It’s recognition of what we do – helping the people who come to us.” in humanitarian work.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 11 GRASSROOTS AWARDS

BEST PROJECT, GOLD

GiocoCalciando (Italy)

Incorporating learning with having fun has been a hallmark of innovative teaching for years when it comes to keeping young children entertained. So, when a programme combining classroom time with football was developed in Italy, tens of thousands got on board. The GiocoCalciando project combines e-learning and practical football sessions in primary schools throughout Italy, with over 32,000 students and 2,400 teachers taking part. Developed by the youth sector of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Italy’s ministry of education, it has now set a gold-winning standard for school engagement in Europe. “The idea was to provide teachers with a simple tool with which to teach football and convey certain educational messages,” explained the head of the FIGC’s youth and educational department, Vito Di Gioia. “GiocoCalciando is a multimedia FIGC guide which is split into four levels. At every level there is a multimedia educational part, there’s a quiz with questions and answers, and there’s a video As well as these elements taught by said: “It’s such a big recognition and, section which allows us to familiarise the teachers in a classroom setting, the of course, it’s a source of great pride children with the exercises developed by children also get the opportunity to follow for the association and me personally, our coaches. The e-learning part is very up what they have learned with a practical having run this department for the important, as the kids learn the rules of session. “Our grassroots experts come to last two-and-a-half years. football by playing an interactive game. schools at least four times a year to explain “It’s the first time our football Fair play is crucial, as the Laws of the the project,” Di Gioia added, “then they association has won this award. Game not only apply to football but also must also train the teachers to run the Besides the honour in itself, I’d like to in everyday life. That’s something which project over the course of the year.” stress the great results this project has is stressed repeatedly in the interactive Reacting to the award, the head of the achieved, which are very important game. It’s the real aim of the game.” FIGC’s youth sector, Vito Roberto Tisci, to us.”

BEST PROJECT, SILVER BEST PROJECT, BRONZE

Kannusta Mua (Finland) Grandmas for Football (Lithuania)

Positive encouragement is crucial to the development of a player Grassroots activities for older people, and women of any age and ability, but as the silver-winning Kannusta Mua in particular, are rapidly gaining in popularity. This campaign highlights, it is particularly important to strike the right small yet innovative Lithuanian project is designed to tone with children. The initiative, born in Helsinki in 2016, aims promote activity and a healthy lifestyle in older people, to improve the behaviour of adults who are involved in children’s while strengthening that inimitable bond between football, to make it more enjoyable for coaches, staff, volunteers, grandparents and their grandchildren. Encouraging the parents and young players. Its success has been credited with participants aged from 46 to 75 to play alongside their helping the association to attract sponsorship, and it has now grandchildren, Grandmas for Football uses a foam- been rolled out throughout Finland. rubber ball in small-sided games.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 12 BEST LEADER, GOLD

Senik Arakelyan (Armenia)

Senik Arakelyan is a coach and hold tournaments during at the Tribune grassroots club the whole year and make it in the city of Gyumri, where possible for several hundreds almost 1,000 children, teachers of girls to play football.” and coaches are involved in Arakelyan also organises events and sessions every year. activities for disabled children As Arakelyan watched the and, as the representative popularity of women’s football of the Football Federation of take off elsewhere in Europe, Armenia (FFA) in Gyumri, visits he strived to bury his doubts schools to review their football that this passion would ever lessons and offer advice find its way to Armenia. to teachers, while also The determined coach cooperating closely with came up against resistance local municipalities to organise from parents in the Shirak tournaments, street events region, who were reluctant to and schools competitions. register their daughters with “Playing football is a clubs. So in 2013, he turned to pleasure,” he says. “Every an orphanage. “It was hard person, regardless of age, sex, to assemble a team in Gyumri ethnicity or disability, has the because parents would not right to be happy and enjoy allow their daughters to join this pleasure. In my opinion, football clubs,” he said. “This playing football is about was the reason I decided to enjoyment. People get a start with orphanage girls. sense of equality and respect I started training with ten playing football.” girls on a sand pitch. Gradually FFA grassroots specialist the number of participants Lala Yeritsyan said: “People FFA increased and then we like Senik are very important to succeeded in the 2015/16 football’s development. People can be, how important it is as Senik Arakelyan won gold in the season and won the A and like him live for football; they a way of staying healthy. He is Best Grassroots Leader category for his work developing girls’ B groups in the Armenian are part of football. They are also able to change attitudes football in Armenia. women’s championship. able to grab children’s towards women’s football, “To spread awareness, we attention, to make them see which is not very well organise activities in schools how interesting playing football developed in our country yet.”

BEST LEADER, SILVER BEST LEADER, BRONZE

Ralf Klohr (Germany) Ana Paula Pinho Almeida (Portugal) Abuse, aggression and attacks have no place in football, yet even at youth level, exchanges can become heated. After a match that Ralf Klohr – a Using football to teach young girls social dedicated regional association president – attended with other parents values, Ana Paula Pinho Almeida is the was abandoned by the referee because of touchline disagreements, he technical coordinator of women’s grassroots developed the FairPlayLiga in Germany, a simple but effective resource football at a Portuguese club renowned for for helping to develop friendly and positive environments in children’s creating opportunities for local girls. She has football. This award has helped to encourage an approach whereby developed and implemented many events participation and enjoyment are the most important things, and to with the support of local education authorities. reduce the pressure on performance.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 13 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ACTION WEEKS CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN MORE THAN 60 COUNTRIES

Some of football’s biggest names joined the 100,000 people who took part in the largest social development campaign in European sport, the Fare Football People action weeks, from 5 to 19 October.

uring the two weeks of action, during all 59 matches of the Champions a great opportunity for everyone to organised and coordinated by League, Europa League and the Women’s get involved.” Dthe Fare network, a UEFA social Champions League staged during the Piara Powar, executive director of responsibility partner, more than 2,000 action weeks, as well as at three Women’s the Fare network, said: “Football can activities focused on tackling World Cup qualifiers. Spots were aired in play a vital role in breaking down barriers discrimination and encouraging social the stadiums, announcements were made and helping to heal divisions in society. inclusion and education across 61 over stadium loudspeakers, player escorts It has never been more important to countries in Europe and beyond. wore #EqualGame T-shirts and team confront these issues, whether they Numerous national football associations, captains donned branded armbands to involve racism, homophobia or gender leagues, professional clubs and high- encourage everyone in the stadiums and inequality, or the rights of refugees and profile players contributed to the Football at home to embrace diversity. underrepresented minorities.” People weeks, with many also showing The UEFA president, Aleksander their support for UEFA’s #EqualGame Čeferin, said: “I am excited to offer Football associations campaign to promote diversity, inclusion UEFA’s full support for the Football People play their part and accessibility in the game. action weeks. By dedicating a matchday Thirty-five football associations supported Various Football People events took in the men’s and women’s Champions the Football People weeks, with two, place at national and international level Leagues, the Europa League and Belgium and Serbia, showing their across the continent, including debates on Women’s World Cup qualifiers to the support during their 2018 World Cup anti-discrimination and diversity in football, campaign, we want to highlight our qualifying campaigns. grassroots activities, workshops, film commitment to leading the way in The Royal Belgian Football Association festivals, panel discussions and fan making discrimination a thing of the past hosted a study group seminar on diversity choreographies. A campaign video was and celebrating diversity in the game.” and inclusion, which was attended by launched on the opening day to inspire Tibor Navracsics, European representatives from 16 national football many more to become Football People. commissioner for education, culture, associations, who all pledged their support youth and sport, also expressed his for the campaign. Among those taking part UEFA competitions enter support for the initiative: “Sport brings were the football associations of Croatia, into the spirit people together and creates communities. Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, UEFA underlined its commitment to It has a unique power that we need to Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, tackling all forms of discrimination and harness to build a better Europe. The Poland, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, to using football to promote inclusion Football People action weeks provide Russia, Spain and Turkey.

Wolfsburg and Atlético supported the #EqualGame campaign at their Women’s Champions League match in Germany on 11 October. Getty Images SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

federation, the ministry of youth and sport, Bucharest city hall and NGOs, and was followed by a match at the national stadium involving youngsters from the Roma community.

Russian teams say no to discrimination In Russia, the premier league game between Krasnodar and CSKA Moskva was dedicated to the Football People action weeks. The two teams lined up behind a large banner reading ‘We say no to discrimination’.

Support from professional clubs Top clubs across Europe also joined in the campaign, including AEL Limassol, Appolon Limassol, AEK Larnaka, BATE Borisov, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzeň, Villarreal, Shamrock Rovers, Slovan Liberec, Brighton & Hove Albion, Cork Ryu Voelkel/Fare network Voelkel/Fare Ryu City, Mallorca, Clubul Sportiv U Craiova, Panserraikos and Panathinaikos. In Greece, Olympiacos produced a video Malta develops a refugee players of the women’s Under-19 national featuring the team’s top players giving out inclusion strategy team to send a message of equality to a message against discrimination. The club The Malta Football Association (MFA) everyone involved in football. also took to social media to show its partnered up with Fare to run a workshop support for the campaign. PAOK echoed on refugee inclusion and launch a Romania gets the Roma the message of inclusion on its website and nationwide campaign to address community involved social media and through videos displayed gender-based violence. In Bucharest, the Romanian Football on the screens in its stadium. Celtic and On 13 October, the MFA launched Federation hosted a launch event for a Ferencvarosi TC also produced videos in a Zero Tolerance of Gender-based series of Football People activities for support of the cause. Violence campaign in collaboration marginalised young people from the Roma An unprecedented number of women’s with the Maltese president’s foundation community. The event brought together teams also took part in this year’s for the wellbeing of society. Four Maltese former players, representatives of the campaign, including Chelsea, Zurich, footballers took part in the launch at Fortuna Hjørring, Gintra Universitetas, the National Stadium in Ta’Qali, while VFL Wolfsburg and Zvezda-2005. Maltese internationals Michael Mifsud Last but not least, the European Club and Alfred Effiong featured in a video Association (ECA) lent its support to the emphasising that there are no winners campaign for the first time. The ECA in gender-based violence. general secretary, Michele Centenaro, said: As part of the two-day event, a half-day “The ECA stands strongly behind those conference looked at the role football can actively promoting unity and inclusiveness play in increasing the social inclusion of during the Football People action weeks refugees and encouraging tolerance across the continent.” and diversity. The workshop served as After two successful Football People a platform to initiate and establish a action weeks that took in the length Maltese Football People network, which and breadth of European football, let will generate more opportunities in and us hope that everyone who took part through football for new arrivals and continues to set an example and drive asylum seekers. home the message that discrimination has no place whatsoever in football Italy sends out a message or in society as a whole. of equality Italy’s men’s and women’s national teams did their bit to promote the action weeks, with stars such as Ciro Immobile and Leonardo Bonucci AC Milan and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci standing shoulder to shoulder with FIGC/Fare network supports the cause.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 15 EQUAL GAME

16 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 RESPECT CAMPAIGN

JANE VELKOVSKI – FYR MACEDONIA

“When I play football, I feel like everyone else”

Nine-year-old Jane Velkovski lives and breathes football. He plays the game whenever he gets the chance, whether it is at home or at school, and his eyes light up whenever he talks about his favourite sport.

ootball is everything in my life,” Jane explains. “I play it in video games, I play it in our garden, and I play it at school. I play football everywhere.” Jane’s determination to play football is even more impressive given the fact that ‘‘heF uses a wheelchair, having been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Jane, who lives in Skopje, the capital of FYR Macedonia, relishes every opportunity he gets to play the game, and is his team’s last line of defence in goal. Looking at Jane’s enthusiasm for football and for life, it is difficult to imagine the constant battles he has had to endure off the pitch. He needs special care throughout the day, even for simple things such as changing his position in his wheelchair. In 2015, Jane travelled to Paris for an operation to correct curvature in his spine. Every six months, he has follow-up treatment in the hope that this will increase his chances of one day being able to walk. “Football has had a very positive influence on his life and having to deal with all the problems he is facing,” says Jane’s father, Gjorgji. “Through football, he has been able to realise that he can play an active part in society.” Jane has become a small sensation in FYR Macedonia. He first began to grow in popularity after being handed the honour of leading out FYR Macedonia for their World Cup qualifier against Spain in June. However, it was an image from the UEFA Super Cup match in Skopje a couple of months later that really captured the country’s imagination. His mother, Denica, photographed Jane next to a poster of one of his favourite players, Cristiano Ronaldo. She published the picture on the internet, and her post went viral. Jane’s dream is to one day meet his idol in the flesh, or even better, to have the opportunity to run and play the game just like his hero.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 17 EQUAL GAME

“i make new friends on the playground. They respect me, listen to me and treat me well. More importantly, they treat me equally.”

18 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 RESPECT CAMPAIGN

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 19 EQUAL GAME

20 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 “I play as a goalkeeper in my wheelchair. I stop the ball from going in the net, and it makes me feel good.” EQUAL GAME

“I FIRST became interested in football when I got my electric-powered wheelchair. I could NOW play like EVERYbody else, because with A manual WHEELchair it’s difficult.” RESPECT CAMPAIGN Photos: UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 23 MISCELLEANOUS

LUÍS FIGO JOINS UEFA AS FOOTBALL ADVISOR

Luís Figo is bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to UEFA as he joins the organisation as a football advisor.

he former Champions League winner knowledge. Football is constantly evolving.” will work with the UEFA president, The former Portuguese international had an TAleksander Čeferin, and the football outstanding playing career, which saw him division on a variety of topics, including earn 127 caps (a record which has been technical aspects of the game and the broken only by Cristiano Ronaldo) and win overall attractiveness of the sport. He will the Champions League in 2002 with Real also be the leading figure of the UEFA Madrid, as well as the Cup Winners’ Cup ambassadors programme. and the Super Cup on two occasions. His “Luís Figo was a fantastic player who was greatest individual award came in 2000, exemplary in the way he conducted himself when he won the Ballon d’Or. both on and off the pitch,” the UEFA Figo joins the likes of Nadine Kessler president said. “He is a highly respected and Dejan Stanković, who joined UEFA figure within the game and I am very as football advisors earlier this year. pleased he is joining our team. His Kessler has since been appointed as head tremendous football experience will of the new women’s football unit. These be a very valuable asset to UEFA.” appointments are all part of the UEFA Commenting on his appointment, president’s policy to get more former Figo said: “I have been lucky to gain a players involved in the decision-making wealth of experience and I believe I can process on how football is organised have a positive influence in passing on my and run. UEFA

SUPPORTING RESEARCH INTO NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

The Stefano Borgonovo Foundation The disease is progressive, meaning the development of stem cell lines, was the recipient of the 2012 UEFA the symptoms get worse over time. leading to trials on patients, some Monaco charity cheque to support Currently, there is no cure for ALS being among the most advanced trials research into amyotrophic lateral and no effective treatment to halt, in the international scientific landscape. sclerosis (ALS), a neurological or reverse, the progression of the disease. Clinical trials offer hope for many people disease that mainly involves the The €1m cheque was presented to the wife and an opportunity to help researchers nerve cells (neurons) responsible of the renowned AC Milan and ACF find better ways to safely detect, treat for controlling voluntary muscle Fiorentina striker Stefano Borgonovo, who or prevent the disease. A comprehensive movement. himself had been diagnosed with the observational, retrospective cohort study disease, by the then UEFA president, was also financed in order to collect, Michel Platini, who said: “The Monaco manage and analyse data aimed at charity cheque reflects the governing investigating the influence of potential body’s commitment to improving health epidemiological risk factors for ALS. across Europe. We hope to make a positive Since Stefano’s death in 2013 at the contribution to finding a cure for ALS, as age of 49, his widow, Chantal, has been well as offering support to ALS patients tirelessly carrying on her husband’s mission and their families.” with the purpose of raising awareness and With the backing of UEFA, the Stefano putting the spotlight on the disease. She Borgonovo Foundation has driven has also told her story in a book, ‘Una vita forward its campaign through much- in gioco: l’amore, il calcio, la SLA’ (A Life in needed investment into research. The the Game: Love, Football and ALS”), from money received from UEFA was used the very beginning of her love for Stefano mainly to support clinical research into to the epilogue. Borgonovo Foundation Borgonovo

24 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY

CLUB LICENSING AND FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY KEEPS CLUBS ON TRACK The Football Association of Montenegro hosted representatives of UEFA, its 55 member associations and guests from FIFA, the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL for the 16th annual UEFA club licensing and financial fair play workshop from 11 to 13 October, in order to reflect on and address a number of current licensing challenges and financial trends.

EFA’s head of club licensing, Aleš performance are gaining ground The workshop featured an update on Zavrl, began by reflecting on the throughout Europe, with transfer profits FIFA’s club licensing as well as a panel Ulicensing process just completed and higher UEFA competition distributions discussion in which representatives of FIFA for 2017/18: “Out of the 555 applications for the first time taking more than half of and UEFA’s sister confederations discussed received for UEFA licences, 491 were Europe’s leagues into the black. their different experiences and the realities granted, representing the highest success of implementing club licensing in their rate since the system was implemented.” Getting the right results respective territories. The latest figures, which are based on Overdue payables assessments likewise A major focal point at this year’s a detailed review of over 700 clubs, were continued to produce encouraging results, gathering was the future of club licensing presented to the 160 licensing and financial with just under €7m in overdue payables and how to adapt it to the ever-evolving experts in attendance. The figures showed towards clubs, employees and social/tax landscape of European football. With that that top-division clubs were generating authorities registered as at 30 June 2017. in mind, UEFA presented the results of higher operating profits than ever before, Once again, this shows that financial one of its recent research projects on with combined club losses (after transfers fair play is working and turning European the keys to successful youth academies and financing) decreasing for the fifth year club football finances around, as does in Europe and how club licensing could in a row, dropping from €1.7bn before the the continued decrease in clubs’ net be further used to raise standards in introduction of financial fair play to just debts, which are now at their lowest youth development across the continent. over €260m in the financial year ending level on record, equivalent to just 35% A number of UEFA member associations in 2016. Improved financial stability and of annual revenue. were also invited to present the club licensing initiatives they had introduced at national level and how they could be used to improve governance and management at both league and club level. The representatives of UEFA’s member associations took part in group discussions to look at issues such as financial polarisation and transfer concentration, sharing their experiences and giving their views on how club licensing and financial fair play should evolve and what they should focus on. UEFA vice-president Michele Uva, who also chairs the UEFA Club Licensing Committee, encouraged this forward- looking approach: “When club licensing was introduced in 2004, it aimed primarily to raise minimum standards in European football governance following a large number of cases of mismanagement that even, in some cases, unfortunately led clubs to ruin. However, we have come a long way since then and a great deal has been achieved. I ask that we now all continue to show such great dedication and keep looking ahead in order to tackle Savo Prelević anything that could defy these objectives.”

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 25 RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMME

AN INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR ACUTE HAMSTRING INJURIES

UEFA has been supporting football-related academic research projects through its Research Grant Programme since 2010. This month, Dr Johannes L. Tol presents a feasibility study on a new approach to evaluating microstructural recovery at return to play.

ecent studies on hamstring injuries sustained by players in the UEFA RChampions League indicate a 4% increase every year since 2001 in what is the most common injury among professional footballers. Given the high reinjury rate, deciding when a player is fit to return to play remains a major challenge. Hamstring injuries cause professional players to be absent for several weeks, which is very costly for their clubs. Meanwhile, for middle- aged recreational players, such injuries can be a source of persistent frustration and eventually cause them to stop playing, which, in turn, can affect their overall health and fitness. UEFA Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is Dr Johannes L. Tol is a sports medicine physician. Currently frequently used for the diagnosis and prognosis a visiting professional at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports of hamstring injuries. However, conventional Medicine Hospital in Qatar, he is employed by the Academic MRI techniques show fluid build-up but not Medical Center in Amsterdam. He is a senior associate editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine and has published the microstructural recovery of injured muscle extensively in international peer-reviewed journals. fibres. Our project used an innovative MRI technique – diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) – to evaluate the footballers in the top two Dutch divisions. feasibility of accurately visualising muscle fibre With our team available around the clock, recovery using fibre-tracking techniques. most of the players underwent scans within four days of their return to play. What we did We tested the new technique on 5 healthy What we found and 27 injured athletes. Fifteen of the injured Most injuries occurred in the biceps femoris athletes underwent DT-MRI scans at return muscle, which is in line with the results of to play, most of whom were professional previous UEFA research on this muscle led by Professor Jan Ekstrand. It took 25 hours to analyse each DT-MRI data set in the present study, which leaves room for improvement in terms of our data processing and analysis DT-MRI technique techniques. We had to overcome several hurdles on our way to making the new approach feasible for future use. Based on our results, however, we can conclude that DT-MRI is a promising technique for evaluating muscle fibres at return to play, and might ultimately provide accurate visualisations of muscle fibre recovery using Hamstring fibre-tracking techniques. The new technique is muscle still at the research stage, but the project team is working hard to improve it for the benefit of footballers at every level and everywhere.

26 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

HEALTHY HEARTS THE GOAL AT WOMEN’S EURO 2017

UEFA, the World Heart Federation (WHF), the Dutch Heart Foundation, the Royal Netherlands Football Association and the European Healthy Stadia Network joined forces at this summer’s Women’s EURO 2017 to promote an active, healthy lifestyle among women, children and football fans as a whole.

he goal of the campaign, which went by giant screens and on the pitch at the semi- the name of ‘A healthy heart your goal’, finals, promotional videos on YouTube, T was to raise awareness among supporters supporter walks on matchdays and tobacco- that heart disease and strokes are the main free stadiums were just some of the ways in The European causes of death in women across Europe which the campaign was put into action. and that most cardiovascular disease can be With UEFA, the European Healthy Stadia Healthy Stadia prevented by not smoking, eating a healthy diet Network also developed an Active Match app Network also and exercising. Just 30 minutes of moderate to encourage fans and those working at the developed an exercise a day, five days a week, can help tournament to get to and from the stadiums Active Match app reduce the risk and keep your heart healthy. on foot or by bike. The app was downloaded to encourage fans The campaign encouraged everyone by more than 1,600 people, who, altogether, and those working attending Women’s EURO 2017 in the walked or cycled more than 2,000km. Netherlands to adopt a healthy and active As the campaign slogan suggests, the main at the tournament lifestyle and to play football or any other sport goal of all these activities, in which the host to get to and from to keep their hearts healthy. Fitness challenges cities, Dutch celebrities and international sports the stadiums on in schools and the fan zones before and during stars also got involved, was to get and stay fit foot or by bike the tournament, awareness campaigns on the and healthy. UEFA UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 27 INTERVIEW

FERNANDO GOMES

‘THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS TO ANSWER TO OUR OWN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES’

Fernando Gomes is the proud president of the Portuguese Football Federation and a much-respected football administrator. He has given great amounts to the game in Portugal and beyond, and his impressive dedication was rewarded with the unforgettable thrill of his country’s triumph at UEFA EURO 2016 in France.

UEFA Executive Committee experience to take care of the section, and member since 2015, and that was when I entered into FC Porto’s A vice-president since April this year, management. Eventually, I took on a Fernando Gomes talks to us about his variety of other functions. These included lifelong devotion to football and sport, marketing activities, and I created a which began when he was a small boy, company to manage commercial issues. and what it means to be at the helm of I joined the Porto management board in the national association in a country that 2000, and stayed with the club until 2010, has football engraved in its heart. when I became president of the Portuguese Football League. First of all, can you tell us a little about yourself? Did you ever imagine one day I was born in Porto, and studied that you would be at the helm economics at the University of Porto, of Portuguese football? where I got my degree. In professional No, not really. I gained considerable life, I worked as an expert in information satisfaction as a Porto management board systems before moving on to serve major member, especially when, in 2003 and economic groups in Portugal. I moved 2004, we won the UEFA Cup and then UEFA into sports leadership in 1992, and the Champions League. Overseeing the Fernando Gomes looks to the sky at became president of the Portuguese project to finance the construction the Stade de France on 10 July 2016, Football League in 2010. I was elected of Estádio do Dragão in Porto was also a as Portugal claim their first-ever as president of the Portuguese Football memorable moment. I felt proud to part international title. Federation in December 2011. of this success, because it reflected the hard work that we had all done. How did your move into sports I never thought of getting involved at leadership happen? national level – I was working for a club, I started out as a player with FC Porto’s and when I took the decision to leave basketball section in the 1960s, and FC Porto, my first thought was actually I continued to play until I began to reduce my involvement in football. professional life. At the beginning of But I was asked by several clubs to put the 1990s, the club decided to close the myself forward as a candidate for the basketball section – but together with a league presidency, and an idea gradually group of friends and former team-mates, emerged that one day I might be capable I decided to try to do something to keep of leading the football federation. This the section alive. We went to the club came to be, because in 2011 I was elected president, proposed our knowledge and to that post.

28 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 UEFA DIRECT •December 2017–

UEFA DIRECT •

December 2017 December INTERVIEW – 29 29 UEFA INTERVIEW

Now let’s go further back. Were you a fan of football as a young child? Yes, indeed. I’ve loved sport and football all my life. I remember that at a very early age, when I was four or five years old, I used to go to watch FC Porto with my father – so, from the beginning, I had an emotional link with the club. I recall, as a young boy, listening to football on the radio. Porto won the league title in 1959, and I was always keen to know how the team was doing when they played away from home. I also clearly remember the first time that I saw a match on TV – the European Cup final in 1962, when another Portuguese team, Benfica from Lisbon, beat Real Madrid 5-3 in a wonderful match in Amsterdam. I remember the Presse Sports black-and-white images vividly. Of course, I also fondly recall the happy days of was clear that we were not the favourites, Eusébio, one of Fernando Gomes’s first football heroes, takes on Giovanni Trapattoni in the 1963 final leaving school and playing football in we believed him because he had such of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, in which Milan the street with my friends. confidence in what he did. The moment denied Benfica a third consecutive win. that I then really began believing was Did you have any favourite when we beat Croatia – one of the best players as a youngster? teams in the tournament. From then on, The players in the Porto team that won I started thinking that something special the title in 1959 were all my heroes, could happen. especially Virgílio and Hernâni, but I also very much appreciated two players from Tell us your exact emotions our great rivals, Benfica: Mário Coluna when the final whistle was and Eusébio, who were in the team that blown … won two successive European Cups at I looked to the sky and remembered my the start of the 1960s. They were fantastic parents, particularly my mother. My father players. It was special as a ten-year-old died when I was 13. We didn’t come from boy watching Eusébio and Madrid’s a rich family, and it was not easy for her Alfredo Di Stéfano parade their skills in to bring up three sons on her own. that final in 1962. What do you think were the Let’s move onto EURO 2016 – it reasons for Portugal’s triumph? must have been unforgettable Fernando Santos created a fantastic team for you, both as a president and spirit and got the best out of the players, a Portugal fan ... especially in the final, when Cristiano What comes to my mind immediately are Ronaldo had to leave the field through the fantastic moments that I was fortunate injury. In Portugal, we say that when to live – for the first time, my country, something bad happens to you, you which loves football so much, won a generate new things to forget the EURO title. It was something special; negatives. At that moment, when all the you never can forget that. I think of players realised that Cristiano couldn’t what happened in Paris on 10 July, and continue, they understood that they in Portugal the following day, when we needed to pull together even more were greeted in Lisbon by thousands of strongly. It was a key moment. Other “What we believe (…) is people. It was truly wonderful! things gave us confidence – our amazing that having success at fans in Portugal, and the Portuguese youth level gets you closer When did you start believing that community in France. They carried the to winning at senior level. Portugal could win the title? team along, greeting us when we came Look at our squad in Before leaving Portugal for France, I back from matches, even at 5.30 in the remember that our coach, Fernando morning when we returned from Marseille France. Most of them had Santos, said that we would return home after our victory over Poland in the a lot of experience at [after the final] on 11 July. And although it quarter-final. I won’t forget that loyalty. youth level.”

30 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 INTERVIEW

When you watch Portugal play, MTK Budapest with a goal directly from you’re sat with your counterparts a corner kick; Portugal coming back from from the opposing association – 2-0 down to beat England 3-2 at EURO some of whom are friends and 2000 … But there was nothing like the colleagues in the UEFA Executive final in Paris. Committee. How tough is it not to celebrate too much when your Are you still thrilled by the team scores? atmosphere, by the buzz, when It’s obviously not easy to stay calm, and you walk into a stadium? it can depend on your personality – you Certainly, and I like to go with the team to never lose your passion, but you must the dressing-room area and onto the pitch always show respect for your colleagues before matches, so I can link this buzz with and the opposing team. For example, the match that I am going to watch. But I when we beat Croatia after extra time at can tell you that this buzz changes when the EURO, Davor Šuker [Croatian FA the match kicks off. I’m then concentrated president and Executive Committee and calm. colleague] was especially gracious and shook my hand warmly. We understood Which modern players have each other’s feelings. We respected each left an impression on you? UEFA other. It’s fantastic that we can all do so I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight Sir Alex Ferguson, the technician who, to this day, at such a moment. players from my country, because we are has made the greatest mark on Fernando Gomes. privileged to have footballers of the calibre What’s the best match that of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardinho in futsal, you’ve ever seen? Cláudia Neto in women’s football, and It’s obviously the EURO final, because I was Madjer, a beach soccer world champion. so involved! Other matches come to mind, Portugal is lucky to have players like this, of course – the 1962 European Cup final, who are among the best in the world in as I’ve already said; Portugal’s fightback their respective football sectors. from three goals down to beat North Korea 5-3 in the 1966 World Cup in Is there any other person that England; Porto’s win against Bayern you’ve met who has made a Munich in the 1987 European Cup final; lasting impression on you? the 1964 Cup Winners’ Cup final, which Sir Alex Ferguson. I have great respect for went to a replay, when João Morais gave him, because of the work he did as a Sporting Clube de Portugal victory over coach at Manchester United, and the Presse Sports

Above: The Dragons' victory in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League was a highlight of Fernando Gomes’s tenure at FC Porto, from 2000 to 2010.

Right: For Fernando Gomes, the legacy created by Cristiano Ronaldo in Portuguese football extends far beyond the pitch. UEFA

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 31 INTERVIEW

relationships that he established within his leadership, like the one Fernando Santos What will be your expectations work. He left a considerable mark on me. gave us, made the difference between in Slovenia? success and getting close to success. We always have the same ambition: In the European Under-17 to win every game we play. We have an Championship, Portugal have In Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal has enormous task ahead of us given the played in seven finals and won six one of the best – if not the best strength of national teams like Russia, titles; at Under-19 level, they have – players in the world. How does Spain, Italy, Ukraine and Azerbaijan, but reached eight finals and won two his presence help the development we also know that an equally enormous titles. Is there an explanation as and profile of Portuguese football reward is at stake in Slovenia. to why it took Portugal so long away from the pitch? to win a EURO? Why do you think In every way. He is a source of inspiration How are you developing futsal that youth success can be so hard to all our young generations of players; he in Portugal? to repeat at senior level? is a leader of our squad and an example for Futsal has always been a central part of What we believe, based on our experience, all our countrymen to follow. That example our development plan. We increased is that having success at youth level gets is based on honesty, work, generosity and the number of our players and national you closer to winning at senior level. It was talent. I thinks it’s fair to acknowledge that teams, male and female, we rebuilt our like that with our golden generation that his legacy is unique and drives our younger competitions, we attracted new sponsors, were two times Under-20 world generations to follow in his footsteps. and we took futsal into our communities champions [in 1989 and 1991] and reached through social responsibility programmes. the EURO 2004 final and the 2006 World Delving into the UEFA records, Also, our clubs kept investing in futsal, Cup semi-finals. And it was like that with we find that Spain have proved lifting our country to excellency. We will the European champions. Look at our a stumbling block for Portuguese continue to raise the bar by building our squad in France. Most of them had a lot hopes at Futsal EUROs (Spain have national team facilities in the City of of experience at youth level, having been beaten Portugal six times in Football in Oeiras. That is going to be either Under-17 European champions in knockout matches or in the group a major step forward. 2003, Under-20 World Cup finalists in stage). Would you hope to avoid 2011 or Under-21 finalists in 2015. The your neighbours this time around? Portugal qualified for their first vast majority had more than 50 caps for I believe, like in football, that we have to Women’s EURO in the Netherlands. Portugal before arriving in our main concentrate on ourselves rather than on What sort of boost will this give national team. For Europe it may have our opponents or possible opponents. women’s football in Portugal? been a surprise that we won the European We also know that success at this level Women’s football has been one of our Championship but most of our opponents comes from hard work, organisation and priorities these last years. We believe this knew our players and all their earlier experience. We are doing our groundwork; is part of a virtuous circle, having more successes. They have played many finals; we will be prepared to face, with ambition than doubled the number of female they have been at top level for many years. and respect, any national team that comes players, reorganised our national teams I also think that better organisation and our way. and our competitions, from the base to

Carolina Mendes opens the scoring for Portugal against Scotland at Women’s EURO 2017, helping the team to secure their first points at the tournament. Getty Images The significance of Éder’s goal in the 109th minute of the EURO 2016 final was apparent to all. Getty Images

the top, and sent our national team to societies and richer economies. I believe their first-ever Women’s EURO. At the we have to relentlessly fight match-fixing. same time, their participation prompted If we don’t, we won’t be worthy as an more girls to start playing football and example to our fans. served as a reward to all our partners. We believe we will be a better country as a What would you wish for football result, with more gender equality and in the future? integration, and better health indicators. I would like to see football showing an example by helping to improve the Do you take pride in your role on world, because it has an important social the UEFA Executive Committee? dimension in protecting and defending I’m very proud of what we are doing the correct values. I’d like more women because we are following the right path to have the opportunity to be involved in our efforts to defend the game and its in the game. And football can play a values, promoting inclusion and fighting great role in supporting migrants and match-fixing and racism, and being refugees. I definitely feel that our transparent. I hope that I am helping and sport can contribute in a significant adding value to the committee’s work. way to creating a more inclusive and peaceful society. What are the greatest dangers facing football in Europe in the And finally, what do you do near future? to switch off from football? I believe that the biggest challenge for My professional life meant that I had football is to answer our own social to move from Porto to Lisbon, but my responsibilities. People look up to us. family ties still bring me back to Porto. “People look up to us. We need to set an example every day I have two granddaughters, and they are We need to set an example through values, principles and actions. there. Because I can’t be with them every day through values, We have to walk the walk. In other words, during the week, I look forward to the we need to fight racism, intolerance, times when I can go back and see them. principles and actions. corruption and violence. We have to Otherwise, I would say that sport is If we don’t, we won’t be promote social inclusion, gender equality actually my hobby as well. I’m interested worthy as an example and fair play besides being a contributor in all sports, and I’m always watching to our fans.” to more environmentally sustainable sport in some capacity.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 33 ANTI-DOPING PROGRAMME

NO LET-UP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DOPING

UEFA has enhanced its anti-doping programme for 2017/18 with a platform and app where players, coaches and team staff can report their doping suspicions.

EFA’s anti-doping programme recognises the crucial role that whistle- app that can be downloaded from aims to protect the integrity of blowing can also play in preventing the App Store or Google Play. UEuropean football and provide doping and wants to give informers the Alongside testing and investigations, clean athletes in all its competitions with opportunity to come forward to report prevention is also a crucial aspect of UEFA’s a level playing field. their information in a confidential and anti-doping programme. All teams taking Through the use of the athlete biological secure way. part in the final tournaments of UEFA’s passport, advice given by anti-doping UEFA encourages anyone who has youth final competitions attend special experts and the support of Europe’s witnessed an anti-doping rule violation anti-doping education sessions given by a national anti-doping organisations being committed, or who has reasonable UEFA anti-doping expert. The sessions are (NADOs), UEFA delivers a comprehensive, grounds to believe that doping has taken designed specifically for youth players and intelligence-led testing programme. place in football, to get in touch. highlight the consequences of taking drugs, In order to gather additional intelligence, Informers can provide their contact including the risks to the players’ health UEFA expanded its integrity reporting details if they wish, or access a secure and careers. Topics covered include the platform and app at the start of this season postbox where information can be WADA Prohibited List, the doping control to allow players, coaches, team doctors exchanged anonymously. The confidential process, players’ rights and responsibilities, and other team staff to report suspected reporting platform and app are available in and where to go for advice and support. anti-doping rule violations. seven languages (English, French, German, By giving young players the full picture The reporting platform and app have Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish), and making them aware of all the risks that already been successfully used for a number allowing users to report in whichever doping entails, UEFA hopes they will of years to fight match-fixing. UEFA language they feel most comfortable. continue to practise the values of clean The integrity platform can be accessed sport and remain clean throughout on UEFA.com or by means of the integrity their careers. UEFA EDUCATION

TAKING COACH EDUCATION INTO THE FUTURE

Excellent football coaches rarely emerge from nowhere – rather, expert guidance is required to nurture coaches and give them the appropriate skills to foster great football players. Those throughout Europe who are responsible for ‘coaching the coaches’ gathered in Belfast from 16 to 19 October to debate and analyse how best to support this crucial profession.

EFA’s Coach Education Conference is held every two years, and reviews Udevelopments in the sector – fulfilling UEFA’s mission to monitor and foster the game’s evolution at a technical level. The European body bases this mission on the premise that well-trained coaches help produce better players and teams, which ultimately leads to an overall improvement in the quality of football across the continent. The Irish Football Association (IFA) were warm and welcoming hosts of an event designed to help each European national association in their work to design, deliver and sustain effective coach education for their own domestic context. A key focal point of the conference was a review of UEFA’s Coaching Convention, Sportsfile launched in 1998 and seen as a cornerstone of the development and one national association to another to were encouraged to maximise these promotion of coach education. The work,” Ludolph explains. “It means three areas when designing their coach convention, which has been signed by 53 freedom of movement, and this is very education programmes in future, through UEFA member associations to date, has much in line with European Union the adoption of principles and practices raised coaching standards, promoted the jurisdiction.” In addition, UEFA’s recent of adult learning. This reflects the belief credibility of the coaching profession and introduction of specialist goalkeeper and that coach education should not be paved the way for the free movement of futsal coach education programmes, like learning in school and that coach qualified coaches within Europe. Thanks including coaching licences in both educators and coaches are people who to its existence, around 200,000 coaches sectors, are reflected in the convention. will derive benefit from, among other across Europe have a UEFA-endorsed things, meeting constant challenges, coaching qualification that allows them to Not like learning at school relishing engagement and decision- practise their profession. The gathering in Belfast pointed the making, effectively turning theory into “It is certain that the convention has way forward for the convention and practice and working purposefully raised the level of coach education in our coach education activities generally. Leeds with others. member associations throughout Europe,” Beckett University in England recently UEFA’s managing director of technical says UEFA’s head of football education carried out a study and identified three development, Ioan Lupescu, gave an services, Frank Ludolph. “There is also crucial priorities that UEFA is now putting important message to the coach much stronger recognition of the coaching into practice. These priorities are reality- educators before they left Belfast – profession, and of the status of the based learning – whereby coaches should namely, that their work was vital in coach.” be educated about the everyday realities helping to take European football The convention has also been lauded for of the profession – the development of forward: “Future professional coaches its contribution to European integration. coach educators and further education to are benefitting from high-quality coach Its provisions guarantee the mutual further develop UEFA licence holders’ education,” he said. “The educator is recognition of coaching qualifications. competences as football coaches. At the crucial. This key technician needs to “This means that coaches can go from conference in Belfast, the associations be empowered.”

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 35 FOR THE RECORD

GOALS: WHO, HOW, WHEN A total of 68 goals were scored at Women's EURO 2017. Here, we break down the numbers.

Top scorers

Total goals JODIE TAYLOR and matches ENGLAND 5 per tournament 0 assists - 328 minutes played

75 VIVIANNE MIEDEMA NETHERLANDS 4 68 0 assists - 536 minutes played

56 50 LIEKE MARTENS NETHERLANDS 3 40 2 assists - 525 minutes played 35 31 SHERIDA SPITSE 25 25 NETHERLANDS 3 1 assist - 540 minutes played 15 15 15

1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 Goals scored Matches played First goal wins?

Average goals per match 3.33

3

2.66

2.33 2.24 2.19 88% of games with goals were won by the team 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 that scored first

36 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 FOR THE RECORD

Goals scored from set plays

Corner 4 Total set-play 22 goals Free-kick (direct) 3

Free-kick (indirect) 5

Penalty 8

Throw-in 2

Goals scored in open play

Combination 10

Cross 13

Cut-back 2

Diagonal 3

Run with the ball 4

Long-range shot 2

Forward pass 7

Defensive error 4 Total Own open-play goal 1 46 goals

When the goals were scored 45+ 90+ 0 2 13 14 10 12 8 9 15 30 60 75 0 45 90

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 37 THE TECHNICIAN

“In football, being able to listen is as important as patience, as important as confidence, as important as respect. The players should learn this responsibility, this professionalism, from their coaches.” Getty Images

38 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 THE TECHNICIAN

MIRCEA LUCESCU ‘A GREAT COACH IS A COACH WHO HAS DOUBTS WITHOUT LETTING ANYONE ELSE KNOW ABOUT THEM’

Accolades are nice. But sometimes they are not enough. It would be a shame to condense more than four decades of coaching into a rosary of titles, coach of the year awards and appearances on UEFA Champions League benches. On the other hand, it would perhaps be churlish to ignore six Romanian league titles as a right-side attacker and 70 caps for Romania, including three wearing the captain’s armband at the 1970 World Cup.

oaching achievements in beyond the country’s borders, or at an believe that a good coach should, first of Romania, Italy, Turkey, Russia embassy. My aim was to find a way of all, be a very balanced person. I quickly and Ukraine reached their leaving the country. As a youth player, realised that there were talented players zenith with eight league titles, my first match outside the country everywhere and that what mattered most six domestic cups and seven had been in Turkey and I saw that the was for them to be guided, educated and CUkrainian super cups with Shakhtar reality of capitalism was not how it was organised by someone who is passionate Donetsk, along with a historic victory described by Romanian newspapers or about the sport and who manages to pass against Werder Bremen in the last-ever television. I wanted to travel, to learn some of that passion on to the players. UEFA Cup final, played in Istanbul in 2009. about different cultures. I think this is one of the most important However, when Mircea Lucescu took time After the earthquake, I moved to qualities I had, and one that has helped out from his current duties as Turkey’s Hunedoara, in Transylvania, to play for a me tremendously everywhere I have gone national team coach to visit UEFA’s team belonging to a steel plant. The team throughout my career. headquarters in Nyon, it was not to bask in had financial strength and good salaries. At Corvinul, in Hunedoara, I was a player such achievements but to share his wealth I had spare time to repair the house in and coach. Slowly, older players who were of experience with UEFA’s managing Bucharest that had been destroyed by the only there to get a salary were replaced director of technical development, Ioan earthquake. I was 30 years old, I played by talented and passionate players that I Lupescu, and a cosmopolitan audience of for the national team and I had some discovered. People started realising that I would-be coaches at one of UEFA’s Pro experience. So I also started working was able to make a difference for the licence student exchange courses. with children. In Hunedoara, children team, and I did. The communist party had nothing else to do but play football. made me return to Bucharest and within a Mircea, the first thing I would I loved sharing my experience with them, year I was a player, a club coach, the like to ask you is how your telling them stories about the matches I national team coach and head of the coaching career started. played and so on. I showed a lot of passion school of coaches, among other things. It started with a misfortune that became and I managed to get some of them so And it was all because of the passion and an opportunity. I didn’t intend to become interested and passionate about football love I had for football. a coach. But there was a huge earthquake themselves that five years later, when I that killed thousands of people in became the national team coach, seven But passion is not Bucharest. I was playing at Dinamo at of my players were from this group of kids. enough, surely? the time and that earthquake destroyed You need to love football tremendously my home. We were not professionals. Is that what persuaded you that because that will enable you to get We were paid as amateurs by different you had the qualities to succeed through the toughest moments of your institutions. That is how the communist as a coach? career. Because we all have many hard system worked back then. At the same We do the most difficult job. I don’t think moments. If you don’t love football, if you time, I was studying hard for a career there’s a harder job out there. And I’m are doing it just to make money, this is not in economics, specialising in external mostly referring to the impact it has on the job for you. Your love of football will commerce, hoping to become one of your mind, the passion that is required and make you the first to bounce back after a the very few students selected to work the fact that you constantly go through loss and it will make you able to motivate for a company that dealt with commerce a huge variety of feelings. That is why I your team and give your players hope.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 39 THE TECHNICIAN

‘‘We do the The second most important thing is knowing the game and being able to most difficult speak about it with players, with job. I don’t journalists, with everybody, including think there’s a the [club’s] president. There are a lot of harder job out coaches who hide. They don’t speak to the there. That is press, they try to stay under the radar. No. why I believe You should be able to talk about the game and give an interview with a smile even that a good under the most difficult circumstances. coach should, A coach should also be very organised first of all, be a – able to organise the team efficiently and very balanced plan training sessions and matches. And person.” able to analyse matches and find ways of extracting positive aspects even from the worst games. A coach should also learn to treat players equally, whether they are superstars or debutants. If he doesn’t manage to do this, he will face difficulties. Players can be leaders in popularity, but the true leader is the coach.

When you were getting started, did you have any role models in the coaching profession? Don’t forget that in eastern Europe there was not a culture of individual values. It was difficult to stand out from the crowd. I became so popular that I was punished by the communist party – sacked as national team coach after we had beaten Austria 4-0. But I would mention Angelo Niculescu, who was our coach when we went to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Getty Images He was very calm and paid great attention to everything that was going on around him. Even though I didn’t work with him my wife and she didn’t want to leave Italy. same way in industry, in commerce and for very long, I also learned a lot from So we let fate decide for us. We made in football. These are people who can Ștefan Kovács. He taught me what it some notes with a bunch of Italian clubs help you evaluate players’ potential. They meant to be a citizen of the world. on them, with the idea of pulling one out can help you with an idea; they can give But I think I learned more from reading of a hat to see where we could go next. input when it comes to organising your biographies of great leaders and, in But one of the notes went missing: the formation. But they should never interfere my younger days, exchanging football one that said ‘Brescia’. I couldn’t find it to the extent of telling you what to do. magazines with people in different anywhere. The next day I found it on the If they interfere once, it’s all over. countries and reading publications like El sole of my shoe and figured it was an Serie B was the division of the coaches. Gráfico from Argentina, A Bola, France omen. I spent five years at Brescia, That was where tactics mattered; that Football, L’Équipe and World Soccer. clinching promotion to Serie A twice. was where the great games were. It was I also learned something important. so intense. That experience helped me a Did this help when you Serie A was actually a championship lot. I worked hard at Brescia, and worked left Romania in 1990? involving some very good [club] presidents a lot with young players. Italian football I went to Pisa because the president [of who led a lot of people and companies. played a huge role in my career. That is the club] wanted me. It was an amazing The best specialists in the Italian where I first learned what it really meant experience, coming from communist championship were not the coaches. to be a coach. Romania to a team where everything was They were presidents like Andrea Agnelli, very evolved, very well organised. At that Silvio Berlusconi, Vittorio Cecchi Gori … How important is the time, I still couldn’t understand how it guys who understood relationships relationship between was possible for people to actually make a between people, who led people. These the coach and the club’s living playing football. When I had to leave were guys with whom you were able to president or owner? Pisa I didn’t know what to do. I talked to discuss psychological and mental issues. Players may come and go, but the rapport Porto and Standard Liège. I also talked to Because organising groups works the you establish with the club’s president is

40 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 THE TECHNICIAN

essential. I had good relationships with Luigi Corioni at Brescia, Massimo Moratti at Inter, Rinat Akhmetov at Shakhtar – part of the reason I spent 12 years there – Faruk Süren at Galatasaray, and Serdar Bilgili at Beşiktaş. You need the ability to establish “Even though I didn’t these relationships. Unfortunately, when work with him for I joined Zenit I had no direct contact with very long, I also the president in order to make my learned a lot from thoughts heard the way they should have Ștefan Kovács. He been. This was the hardest thing for me. If you don’t share the same philosophy, taught me what it conflicts can quickly arise. meant to be a citizen Presse Sports of the world.” You mention the word ‘philosophy’. How important is it for a coach to have one? for example, will force the coaches of Other than that, my philosophy remained When I was a player-coach at 30 years the future to act differently. the same. Coaches are different. There old in Hunedoara, I basically had the same That is why it was important for me to are coaches who build teams, pragmatic philosophy as I have now. It just became change countries and clubs. Not too much, coaches, opportunist coaches ... Each clearer and better because of because I am very conservative. I get has his own style. Philosophy is personal. performances and experiences over the attached to people, places; I get attached years. The most important thing in the to history and many other things. But the How do you communicate your world is the way we evolve as people. changes helped me because I had to adapt philosophy to your players? And I think that’s about curiosity. It is each time to new places, a new culture. Education is key. My first concern is to curiosity that makes us different from Because you are the one who needs to explain my philosophy and to educate people who lived 5,000 years ago. change and adapt. I always had to learn my players, to show them a certain kind Football is no exception, it transforms new things and to bring new things to the of behaviour. Even as a young coach every day. Technological innovations, lives of the people who surrounded me. travelling with the team abroad, I made

Lucescu’s career Mircea Lucescu in timeline Seville with Shakhtar for the second leg of their Europa League 1979-1982 Corvinul Hunedoara (ROU) semi-final in 2016. 1981-1986 Romania

1985-1990 Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU)

1990-1991 Pisa (ITA)

1991-1996 Brescia (ITA)

1996-1997 Reggiana (ITA)

1997-1998 Rapid Bucuresti (ROU)

1998-1999 Internazionale (ITA)

1999-2000 Rapid Bucuresti (ROU)

2001-2002 Galatasaray (TUR)

2002-2004 Beşiktaş (TUR)

2004-2016 Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

2016-2017 Zenit (RUS)

2017- Turkey Getty Images THE TECHNICIAN

“On Sunday, your How do you reconcile your interventions can be philosophy and the long-term intuitive, but everything education of players with the you do during the week, need to produce results? Of course, without results, any philosophy the way you prepare, is dead. As a coach, you need to develop plays a decisive role in a playing system that depends on the how the game plays out.” qualities of the players you have, along with a series of other factors. My concept is based on the way the team is distributed over the playing area, the techniques of progression throughout the game, the At Shakhtar, we had players from manner of disarming the opposition and, places in Brazil where school was only as a fourth aspect, the game system. almost non-existent. They knew the If all this is well organised and well bare minimum. They signed contracts controlled, the result should be positive. and started getting paid. They bought There is no way it will not succeed in diamonds, watches, cars. I slowly started the long run. But coaches need time. to educate them, discussing things with It is precious. But it is difficult to obtain. honesty. This is linked to discipline. I never One of the other essential qualities of force discipline on the players. I prefer it a successful coach is the ability to read the Getty Images to come naturally. I always explain to game and make decisions that will lead each player that his freedom stops where the team to victory. In many cases this somebody else’s freedom begins and that is intuition. But the philosopher Henri the players visit museums. I had Brazilian what he does has an influence on others. Bergson said that intuition is the instinct players who would try to run out With proper education, these people will of intelligence. So if you are intuitive, it’s immediately through another door. be grateful to you for their entire lives. because you have accumulated knowledge I always found ways of bringing them Young players arrive with a certain that allows you to make a decision. I have back in. I had this power to convince them. temperament and we have the job of won many games with an intuitive tactical In Hunedoara, I used to take the players moulding them into great people with move. But I have also had moments when to evening courses and waited for them good characters. Once they grow, you I have sent on a player and lost the game. outside to make sure they didn’t escape. need to transform them into personalities, On Sunday, your interventions can be Why? Because I realised how important into role models. From these personalities, intuitive, but everything you do during intelligence is: how important it is for leaders are born. Leaders are not the week, the way you prepare, plays a players to be able to listen and understand. necessarily people with great attributes; decisive role in how the game plays out. In football, being able to listen is as they are people with great achievements. I remember reading The Art of War by Sun important as patience, as important as They are people who can pull others Tzu, the Chinese general from 2,500 years confidence, as important as respect. behind them and push them towards ago. He said, if you know yourself and The players should learn this responsibility, success. They need to be passionate, your opponent, there’s an 80 to 90% this professionalism, from their coaches. they need to push others to go further. chance you’ll win. If you know yourself, but you don’t know your opponent, you’re halfway there. You can either win or lose. “When everyone is celebrating, the coach should But if you don’t know your opponent’s be the first to think about the next step.” potential, you will lose. So games are not Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images THE TECHNICIAN

decided by a momentary decision. You encourage or to criticise. A great coach in a balanced manner. This comes with need thorough preparation. He also said is a coach who has doubts without letting experience. Knowledge has less to do something else which, applied to football, anyone else know about them. A great with it than experience. translates to the fact that the team that is coach is not one who is certain about better prepared will win. The team that things; he’s the one who is not sure, How have you maintained the wants to win. The team prepared to make but never lets it show. He needs to inspire stamina to coach for so many bigger sacrifices. The team with the best confidence, and he needs to have a years without a break? substitutes. That is the team that will win. positive attitude and great optimism. Coaches’ lives are not relaxed. We live at But all this depends on the coach. The Of course, it all depends on what the 100% intensity. Over almost 50 years at coach should influence all these things. coach builds up in training, during match the highest level, without a sabbatical, 2,500 years ago, people had the same way analysis and so on. This is what gives without a break, I have learned to of thinking. We don’t change. Only the players confidence. A recipe for what you compensate for the stress of the profession level of civilisation changed; we are more should do during a crisis doesn’t exist. You by loving things outside the game. I have civilised now. should have already built a certain always tried to strike a balance, because relationship with the players and otherwise you lose your mind. At the end Earlier on, you mentioned that management even before such a crisis of a season, the players’ physical fatigue a coach has to be a balanced occurs, which would allow you to get past passes after three or four days. They go on person. Is that an easy thing their emotions. Football is a game of holiday to the seaside, in the mountains. to achieve? emotions, with a great emotional impact Coaches need a lot more time to rest than When everyone is celebrating, the coach on everyone involved. Everybody has an anyone else. Because every day, every should be the first to think about the next opinion; everybody thinks they know week, at every moment you have to bring step. When everyone is sad and with their football and understand it. The coach something fresh, something that catches guard down, the coach is the one who needs to keep an open mind and a clear attention and doesn’t become routine. should motivate the players to start head. The coach must never make the Something that helps the people around working again. Your experience is your mistake of overestimating a win or you produce great performances. That best help with this – the need to find underestimating a loss. They are two sides is why I recommend you don’t let your the right moment to say something, to of the same coin. Both should be treated profession take over your life.

Mircea Lucescu shares his wealth of experience with would-be coaches at a UEFA Pro licence student exchange course on 2 November. UEFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ANDORRA ZERO TOLERANCE FOR BAD BEHAVIOUR AT GRASSROOTS AND FUTSAL MATCHES

XAVI BONET

The Andorran Football Federation has launched a zero-tolerance campaign to tackle abusive language and bad behaviour among spectators at grassroots football and futsal matches. Backed by the Andorran government, this new initiative includes a specific protocol that will be enforced at all grassroots matches around the country. In the event of bad behaviour among spectators, the referee will stop the match and call the coaches and delegates of the two teams over to alert them to the situation. If the bad behaviour continues, a second warning will be issued. If this second warning does not suffice, the match will be abandoned and the relevant competition authorities will decide on the final score and any additional measures that need to be taken. FAF

AUSTRIA www.oefb.at FRANCO FODA NAMED NEW NATIONAL TEAM COACH

CARMEN REDL

Franco Foda was unanimously Austrian Cup, as well as participating appointed as the new in the UEFA Champions League three Austrian national team coach at an times. He had previously lifted the extraordinary meeting of the Austrian German Cup with Kaiserslautern and Football Association board on 30 October. Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and made The 51-year old German is an two appearances for the German acknowledged expert in Austrian football. national team. He coached SK Sturm Graz for many years, “The fact that Franco Foda was winning the Austrian championship and unanimously chosen demonstrates his Austrian Cup, and qualifying twice for the standing as an expert of the game,” said UEFA Europa League, before taking the Leo Windtner, president of the Austrian helm at German club 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Football Association. “We are delighted As a player with SK Sturm Graz, Foda to have appointed him,” added Peter won two Austrian championships and one Schöttel, sporting director. Gepa-pictures

44 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

AZERBAIJAN www.affa.az VOLUNTEERS REWARDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS

NUBAR AGHAZADA

In recognition of their efforts, the from far and wide. Mammadov highlighted team’s home World Cup qualifiers. volunteers who helped out at the the excellent work performed by volunteers He thanked and congratulated them all Azerbaijan national team’s home and their important role in ensuring the for their valuable contributions and wished matches in their 2018 World Cup qualifying successful organisation of the national them every success for the future. campaign were invited to the headquarters of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), where they were presented with certificates. Speaking at the event, the AFFA general secretary, Elkhan Mammadov, said that volunteering in Azerbaijan was gaining strength both in football and elsewhere. It was the AFFA that had introduced the concept for the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2012. Two years later it organised the International Football Volunteering Forum, which had famous Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta as the event Elkhan ambassador and attracted participants Mammadov AFFA

BELARUS www.bff.by DEVELOPING SCHOOL FOOTBALL

GLEB STAKHOVSKY

The Football Federation of Belarus enjoyment of playing football rather than Tournaments are already under way (BFF) has launched a schools on playing to win, match results are not in various parts of the country, with football project entitled ‘Football recorded and there are no winners or applications to organise yet more for all’, which will see football losers. Every child who takes part receives coming in thick and fast. From what tournaments organised for boys and girls a memento from the BFF – boys are given we have seen so far, the new across the country. Every town, village and medals and girls receive T-shirts. In initiative is proving a real success, school is invited to run a tournament, for addition, all participating schools are given and the benefits are already starting which the BFF will provide the necessary footballs and shirts. to show. equipment. The project has the backing of the ministry of education, local municipalities and football clubs. Developing schools football is one of the top priorities of the BFF’s grassroots department. Through the ‘Football for all’ project, the federation aims to improve the quality and increase the quantity of schools’ competitions. It has chosen to target children in the 8–11 age group as it believes this to be the best time to get children involved in football. The first tournament was held in the city of Brest in early October, with 40 boys’ and 40 girls’ teams applying to take part. To ensure that the emphasis is on the BFF

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 45 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BULGARIA www.bfunion.bg A NEW WEBSITE FOR THE A LEAGUE

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT

fans can access information on results as well as individual and overall team performances. The line-ups, team data and individual player information are generated by the ‘e-championship’, launched by the BFU in 2014. By accessing the e-championship, A league clubs can modify and add information relating to their team and individual players. BFU The new platform will be useful for everyone interested in Bulgarian top- The Bulgarian Football Union and results, and allows fans to follow the flight football: journalists, the fans and (BFU) is pleased to announce events of every single match in real time. the clubs themselves. Future plans include the launch of its online platform The project has been funded by the FIFA the addition of a video highlights section, dedicated to the Bulgarian A League: Forward development programme. where fans will be able to catch up with www.fpleague.bg. The new website Each Bulgarian A League club has a all the action, and the development of contains all the latest news, statistics separate section on the website, where an English language version.

CROATIA www.hns-cff.hr LUKA MODRIĆ JOINS ILLUSTRIOUS COMPANY

TOMISLAV PACAK Davor Šuker and Luka Modrić By earning his 100th cap for Croatia in their World Cup qualifier against Finland in October, Luka Modrić has joined illustrious company in the world of Croatian football. To celebrate his momentous achievement, the national team captain was presented with a special shirt and UEFA medal by the president of the Croatian Football Federation, Davor Šuker, who also sits on the UEFA Executive Committee. Modrić can now count himself among the likes of Stipe HNS Pletikosa, Josip Šimunić, Ivica Olić, Dario Šimić and Darijo Srna (the record holder In other news, Croatia’s World Roma efforts to fight against discrimination, with 134 caps) in the ‘100 caps club’. Organization was named as one of the racism and poverty. Modrić was also recognised by fellow recipients of the 2017 UEFA Foundation In line with its own efforts to fight professional footballers at The Best FIFA for Children Award. The organisation discrimination, the Croatian FA celebrated Football Awards ceremony, where he has worked with the Croatian FA to the Fare network’s Football People action was announced as a member of the FIFA develop activities for boys and girls weeks in October, which aim FIFPro World11 for the third consecutive belonging to minority groups across the to raise public awareness and tackle year. The Real Madrid and Croatia country. Šuker presented the award to discrimination in football, and organised midfielder also came sixth in the vote for Toti Dedić from the organisation, along the eighth national minorities’ football The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2017. with a cheque for €50,000 to support its camp in Osijek.

46 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

DENMARK www.dbu.dk GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO SOCIETY

ANDREAS HØJ

A recent study commissioned more than 9,000 full-time employees, The results of study are available for all by the Danish Football for a total value of more than 4 billion Danish football clubs to use. Thanks to Association shows just how Danish krone (approximately €557m) a new app, the clubs can also calculate much football gives back to Danish a year. Volunteers put in between half their own impact on society, including society. The research, which focused on an hour and six hours at their local clubs the value of the work put in by their the impact of volunteering, preventive every week, adding up to 17.5 million volunteers and the health benefits the health, social responsibility projects and hours a year. clubs bring to local communities. Last job creation projects, was carried out by The head of grassroots football at the but not least, data on income and jobs Damvad Analytics, a Danish consultancy Danish FA, Bent Clausen, is happy that the generated through the purchase of firm, with financial support from the study provides concrete facts and figures football boots, sportswear and equipment UEFA HatTrick programme (social for what was previously just a guesstimate will also be published. responsibility incentive). within Danish football. “Football makes The data will be an invaluable tool for For the first time, the Danish FA a unique contribution to Danish society. clubs in persuading local politicians and has been able to put a price tag on With the study, we can show how much other stakeholders of the need for clubs the value of football. One of the key value the local football clubs create for to benefit from public funding in order findings was that the work done by everyone in society, not just for all of us to continue to fulfil their vital role in the volunteers equates to the work of who love the beautiful game,” he said. local community.

ENGLAND www.thefa.com ST GEORGE’S PARK CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

EMILY LILES

St George’s Park celebrated its fifth anniversary in October. Over the course of these five years, the likes of Barcelona and Benfica have trained there, while the home of England’s 28 national teams has also hosted the European Women’s Under-17 Championship finals, European Under-17 Championship The FA elite rounds, CPISRA Cerebral Palsy World Championships and the FA Disability Cup. A total of 2,084 community clubs and provided an opportunity to reflect on A short ceremony unveiling the groups have played on-site since the the venue’s impact on FA education. recently named Sir Bobby Charlton national football centre opened and, Wayne Allison, The FA’s BAME (black, pitch, to coincide with the 80th birthday to mark its anniversary, a five-hour Asian and minority ethnic) project of 1966 World Cup-winning legend, five-a-side community football manager, has witnessed the centre’s kick-started the fifth-anniversary tournament took place in the centre’s benefits first-hand. He said: “The celebrations. Sir Bobby was on hand futsal hall on 9 October. The participating opening of St George’s Park and the for the inauguration of the pitch named teams included William Shrewsbury development of the coaching competency in his honour. After being presented Primary School, De Ferrers Academy, framework is proof of how much The FA with a shirt signed by the current senior Paulet High School, Wolgarston High is committed to coach development. squad, Sir Bobby then watched Gareth School, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue The framework has led to the redesigning Southgate and his squad train in Service and Staffordshire Police – all of of all The FA coaching courses, which has preparation for their European Qualifiers whom had used the facility in some culminated in the design of a new, against Slovenia and Lithuania. capacity previously. The celebration also coherent coach development pathway.”

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 47 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ESTONIA www.jalgpall.ee LOOKING TO GROW WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

MAARJA SAULEP

The Estonian Football Association (EJL) is working hard to increase the number of women and girls in football and create more chances for them to get involved. This year, more than 900 girls were able to enjoy different football activities and games around the country. Football festivals were held in ten cities, where girls spent a day taking part in fun activities and football-related games under the supervision of qualified coaches. Nine of the festivals took place Brit Maria Tael between March and October, while the tenth was organised by the EJL in love football,” said EJL general secretary Rei said: “The priority over the next September as part of its Football Unites Anne Rei. couple of years is to keep organising 2017 project. In other women’s football news, festivals to increase the number of “I am happy that we have been able following the resignation in October of female players. The aim is to continue to generate so much excitement and women’s national team head coach structuring the top clubs through a offer so many girls the opportunity to get Indrek Zelinski, the EJL is looking for well-prepared licensing process and to know the game. It was nice to see someone to take over the role and continuous work and communication. how much joy the festivals brought to become the driving force behind efforts Our vision is for the new head coach the children. We hope to reach more girls to increase the number of female players. to be responsible for developing this in the future and hopefully make them Outlining the EJL’s short-term aims, process further.”

FAROE ISLANDS www.football.fo VÍKINGUR RETAIN THEIR LEAGUE TITLE

TERJI NIELSEN

The Faroese season came to a at home to EB/Streymur, and runners-up Last season Víkingur won the title close recently and saw Víkingur KÍ Klaksvík won their final game to for the first time in the club’s short crowned league champions for bring the two teams level on points, history. Now everyone is waiting to the second year running. Although they Víkingur won the title thanks to their see if they can make it three in a row lost their final game of the season 2-1 better goal difference. next season. Both of their league titles have been won under coach Sámal Erik Hentze, who has something of a reputation, having won the championship four times with three different clubs in the past eight years. However, next season Víkingur will have to compete for the title under a new coach as Hentze has decided to retire. The women’s championship has also been decided, with EB/Streymur- Skála coming out on top and, in the process, putting an end to KÍ Klaksvík’s record-breaking streak FSF of 17 league titles.

48 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

FRANCE www.fff.fr MAKING FUTSAL HISTORY

LAURA GOUTRY

France have made history by qualifying for Futsal EURO 2018, which will be held in Slovenia from 30 January to 10 February next year and will mark Les Bleus’ debut in FFF the final tournament of an international futsal competition. Two weeks later, the team headed to the French through with a 5-4 win. Having finished runners-up in their Dubrovnik for the away leg – a spectacular This historic qualification is a well- main round group back in April, Pierre match that more than lived up to earned reward for the players, the majority Jacky’s players earned a place in the expectations. After trailing twice but of whom are amateurs who train after play-offs in September, where they faced managing to pull back level, Les Bleus work. Their success also looks set to have Croatia, a team with plenty of final- gradually got the upper hand thanks to a big impact on the development of tournament experience and ranked 11th their excellent teamwork and two goals by futsal in France, with the national technical in the world. The first leg was a tightly Landry N’Gala. The Croatians levelled the director, Hubert Fournier, having already fought match that ended in a 1-1 draw score again at 4-4, with just 16 seconds announced plans to develop France’s in front of more than 3,800 fans, a record to go, only for N’Gala to complete his domestic futsal league structure and home attendance for the French side. hat-trick in the dying moments and send create a national futsal centre.

GERMANY www.dfb.de YOUTH COMPETITIONS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT

THOMAS HACKBARTH

It is not just World Cups and EUROs that have a positive impact in the host countries. A recent study shows that successful youth competition final tournaments also bring significant benefits. The Accadis University of Applied Sciences in Bad Homburg used last year’s European Under-19 Championship final tournament to examine how hosting a youth competition final tournament can benefit the host association, in this case the German Football Association (DFB). The study shows that the tournament Getty Images in Baden-Württemberg enabled the DFB to improve its public image by almost whole. The researchers also praise the Between 2012 and 2014, an average 15%. According to the DFB’s tournament school programme organised alongside of 1,760 fans attended men’s and director for the event, Kyung-Yiub Lee, the tournament, which resulted in many women’s Under-17 and Under-19 the research indicates that UEFA youth youngsters joining their local clubs. internationals. By 2017, that number final tournaments have a positive impact Moreover, international youth matches had risen to 2,707 and by all accounts on the image of the host association as a are attracting ever more spectators. it will not stop there.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 49 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

GIBRALTAR www.gibraltarfa.com GIBRALTAR REFEREES TAKE TO THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

STEVEN GONZALEZ

A team of Gibraltar Football Adrian Bacarisa, was understandably Association match officials took proud of their achievements: “We are charge of the European Under 21 ending our first year with our FIFA-listed Championship qualifying match between match officials involved in a number of Liechtenstein and Wales in Liechtenstein UEFA matches, ranging from Under-17 at the beginning of October. Jason and Under-21 fixtures to a Europa League Barcelo was the referee, with Johan qualifying match and a Futsal Cup Ward and Andrew Parody acting as preliminary round mini-tournament. assistant referees and Yaroslaff Borg as Our international match officials have fourth official. It was the first time that embraced these appointments to develop match officials from Gibraltar had been their refereeing skills, learn from the appointed for a national team match experience and adapt to modern trends. and it was therefore a momentous We are all looking forward to more occasion as well as a huge achievement. international appointments coming The Gibraltar FA’s refereeing manager, our way soon.” GFA

ISRAEL www.football.org.il FIRST NATIONAL CFM COURSE GETS UNDER WAY

EITAN DOTAN

The Israel Football Association (IFA) has launched its first national edition of the UEFA Certificate in Football Management (UEFA CFM). The nine-month course combines e-learning modules and three face-to-face seminars, the first of which was held at the national team complex in Shefayim. With several editions taking place each year, the IFA course is run in cooperation with UEFA and the University of Lausanne in The subjects studied include football they love – it’s also a profession,” said Switzerland and is designed to provide organisation, strategy and strategic Rotem Kamer, chief executive of the middle managers from UEFA member management, marketing and sponsorship, IFA. “This combination of business associations with advanced knowledge communications, media and public and love for the game is a promising of football management. relations, and event and volunteer recipe for success. This course, along In addition to local participants, management. The next seminar will with other courses down the line, managers from other UEFA member take place in January at the Sammy Ofer are designed to ensure the most associations are also following the IFA Stadium in Haifa and the final one will advanced and effective management course, during which they will be able take place in Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium. of the game, thereby benefiting the to develop and consolidate their Outside of these face-to-face gatherings, associations, the teams and, of course, theoretical and practical knowledge of students will have to complete the fans. Together with UEFA, the Israel football management, learn new skills assignments and tests online. Football Association attaches great and share management techniques and “This is a great opportunity to bring importance to investing in those best practices, thereby strengthening the together people from different places for involved in the challenging task of football community throughout Europe. whom football is more than just a game promoting the game.”

50 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

ITALY www.figc.it TRENTO HOSTS ITALY’S FIRST FOOTBALL HACKATHON

DIEGO ANTENOZIO

In October, the city of Trento played Winning projects were selected for each host to the first-ever Italian football of the two categories. ‘Action Mining’, hackathon, a full weekend of the winning match analysis innovation, research and innovation devoted to proposed an algorithm for extracting and exploring new ways of taking Italian analysing match data in near real time, FIGC football forward. The event was organised which allocates a ‘danger index’ to each by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in phase of play based on the likelihood of it Michele Uva, who was clearly satisfied conjunction with the autonomous region resulting in a scoring chance being created. with how the event had gone. “For of Trento and a number of other partners. The other winning idea explored the instance, it is vital for us to communicate Over 400 ‘hackers’ registered to take possibility of replacing traditional methods effectively with not only the 1.4 million part. Of those, 158 were selected to for clocking in with a near-field players, coaches, referees and club officials participate in the ‘total innovation’ communication (NFC) system that would who are registered with the FIGC, but challenge, in which teams competed provide parents and coaches of younger also the 35 million fans of Italy’s national against each other to devise ways to players – who make up 63% of the teams. This hackathon is a first for [Italian] harness new technologies to benefit the individuals registered with the federation football. For the federation, it represents world of football. The groups were able – with real-time updates of children’s an investment in ideas and technology, to choose one of two themes: relationships whereabouts, and record post-match but it has also caught the imagination and interactions between the FIGC and interactions between opposing players. of other national associations, fans, registered players, coaches, referees and Each winning team was presented with institutions and the ‘hacker’ community. club officials; and optimising the use of a cheque for €5,000. “The workshops and projects were of ‘big data’ in football, particularly in The weekend programme also the highest quality, and prove that we match analysis. included a series of talks that took a were right to take this path. We will Before the groups set about tackling progressive and innovative look at key undoubtedly run another event of this these topics, the FIGC president, Carlo issues faced by the world of football. kind to explore, among other topics, Tavecchio, explained the thinking behind There were enthusiastic contributions the video assistant referee (VAR) system. the hackathon: “The federation is from coaches, journalists and sportsmen More than ever, the federation’s policies committed to modernising football in Italy,” and women, as well as from invited and strategies are geared towards the he said. “We have made some progress delegates from national football future development of our sport, as well through our internal reforms and associations around Europe and as engaging with what is happening rebranding, but we are also opening the representatives from other footballing beyond the world of Italian football. door to other organisations and companies, organisations in Italy and abroad. We are aware that both financial from the world of football and beyond, “For us, the hackathon is a bridge to investment and new ideas are essential as we search for new avenues and ideas.” the future,” said the FIGC chief executive, for the future of the game.”

LATVIA www.lff.lv

CHAMPIONS AGAIN LFF

TOMS ĀRMANIS

For the second year in a row, achievement was fifth place (in 2012 FK Spartaks Jūrmala are the and 2015). champions of Latvia, securing top Currently coached by Lithuanian Valdas spot in the championship with one round Urbonas, the team consists of several a tough league is a big achievement. still to play. Latvian internationals as well as players It is a true cause for celebration,” said The team from seaside resort of Jūrmala from Belarus, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine Urbonas, who is the club’s third coach this have been in the top division for six years. and Uzbekistan. season. “It was a great challenge for me. Before winning the championship for the “To defend a title is twice as hard as Without the trust and dedication of the first time in 2016, their previous best winning it. To become champions in such players, it would not have been possible.”

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LFV MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

MOLDOVA www.fmf.md CONCORDIA WINS UEFA FOUNDATION AWARD

PRESS OFFICE

In recognition of its social projects for the benefit of vulnerable children, the non- governmental organisation Concordia was chosen as one of the recipients of the 2017 UEFA Foundation for Children Award. The organisation was set up in 2004 to facilitate the integration of disadvantaged people into society, protect their rights and provide assistance when required. Since then, the organisation has helped more than 11,000 children, provided shelter for more than 240 orphans and vulnerable families, provided Nicolai Cebotari accommodation to more than 400 elderly and Otilia Sîrbu people in its social centres, and provided FMF more than 3.5 million hot meals to people in need. promoting a healthy and active lifestyle Nicolai Cebotari, general secretary Concordia’s executive director, Otilia among young people, especially those of the Moldovan FA, praised the Sîrbu, was delighted to accept the award living in rural areas. We plan to build new project: “We applaud and fully at the Moldovan FA’s headquarters: “We new playgrounds, sports facilities and support Concordia in this vital are thrilled to have been selected for a Concordia centres. We will also buy initiative, and we are very happy that 2017 UEFA Foundation for Children equipment for our youth football teams football is being used again as a way Award. The prize money will allow us to and organise football matches and other to bring happiness and hope to those implement a new social project aimed at sports activities.” in need.”

NORTHERN IRELAND www.irishfa.com NEW SKILLS CENTRES FOR GIRLS

NIGEL TILSON

Girls born between 2007 and pathway for girls to excel in our sport. 2009 are being encouraged to Girls don’t have to be associated with give football a go at new skills a club to come along.” centres across Northern Ireland. The Irish Staying with the topic of women’s Football Association’s girls’ regional football, several players from established development centres aim to provide a fun clubs in Northern Ireland have signed up and friendly environment in which girls for new regional futsal leagues across the can improve their football skills. Centres country in order to help themselves to have been set up in Enniskillen, Bangor, stay fit during the close season. Every Ballynahinch, Cookstown, Larne, Belfast, Friday evening between now and the end Ballymoney, Londonderry and Portadown. of January, teams will compete in leagues Marissa Callaghan, captain of the in Belfast, Lisburn and Portadown. Northern Ireland women’s football team The winners of each regional league and one of the Irish FA’s women’s football will play in national finals in February, ambassadors, explains: “Through the with the champions going on to programme we want to give girls the represent Northern Ireland in the first opportunity to progress to our county Women’s Futsal Home Nations IFA excellence centres and to provide a clear Championship.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 53 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND www.fai.ie HELPING CLUBS TO BUILD COMMUNITY LINKS

GARETH MAHER

The Football Association of the programmes which they can deliver. Ireland (FAI) has announced The clubs can become more than just the clubs participating in a new football teams and be more relevant to initiative, ‘More than a club’, which aims to more people within their communities.” help clubs to develop their links with local The project will start immediately, communities. Bohemian FC and Cork City with the FAI making funds available FC were chosen from among the 11 to both clubs to enable them each to league clubs that applied. FAI recruit two full-time football enterprise The project will be run by the FAI and coordinators for a period of 18 months. the Welsh social enterprise Vi-Ability, secured this funding from the Ireland- The FAI’s project management team will with funding provided by the European Wales programme, which will be used also provide guidance on how to develop Regional Development Fund via the Ireland to help the two clubs to develop their the football enterprise scheme and the Wales cooperation programme 2014–20. community remit.” social programmes. Helping the selected clubs to recognise Fran Gavin, director of competitions, Chris Brien from Bohemian FC said: and harness football’s potential to connect added: “The consultation process report “Bohemian FC are delighted to participate with and benefit social programmes in recognised that, along with sporting and in the project. It will allow us to their local communities will in turn help business interests, community engagement significantly expand the excellent them to become more valuable and was another essential development pillar community work we are already doing relevant members of the community. of successful and sustainable football in our catchment area.” FAI project manager Derek O’Neill clubs. The clubs’ five-year strategic Shane O’Connor of Cork City FC added: said: “The FAI believes that engaging with plans have shown a strong emphasis “We’re delighted to be included in the the community in a more inclusive way on community engagement. This project, which will allow us to continue can positively affect a football club’s community focus can serve to attract to improve on the good work in the prospects of sustainability. Participating new club stakeholders with more people, community that our supporters’ trust in innovative community partnerships can businesses and agencies becoming and Cork City have been involved in facilitate this. The FAI is delighted to have advocates of the clubs and admirers of over the past few years.”

ROMANIA www.frf.ro SECOND EDITION OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL

PAUL ZAHARIA

The Youth Council is a unique and friendship during training sessions on following three questions: How can sports leadership platform created project management, communications, we use football to stimulate youth by the Romanian Football strategy and marketing. Those in development? What impact do footballing Federation (FRF) and the Friedrich attendance also got involved in a number values have on society? What changes Naumann Foundation. It gives young of football-related activities organised by could you make within your community people a voice in society and an FRF staff. The FRF president, Răzvan using football? opportunity to share, discuss and develop Burleanu, said: “Football is a special As well as hearing from FRF staff and ideas for community development projects phenomenon that has the capacity to other local contributors, the second Youth that capitalise on the universal values of bring about change and progress in Council welcomed experts from outside sport, and football in particular. society. For the Romanian Football Romania. “The Youth Council can be seen Following the success of the first Youth Federation, the role of the Youth Council is as a door to the future,” one of the Council held in June, the FRF recently to come up with new ideas, to promote participants said. hosted the second edition at its national change and to place football and its values Even though the seminar itself ended on football centre in Buftea. Twenty-five at the centre of community development.” 27 September, the work of the Youth participants aged between 18 and 29 Everyone who took part in the Youth Council continues, with the FRF providing came from across the country to discuss Council had to first apply for a place by ongoing support to help the participants footballing values such as fair play, team sending their CV, a motivation letter and implement the projects discussed within spirit, leadership, responsibility, respect an essay in response to one of the their own communities.

54 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

RUSSIA www.rfs.ru RUSSIAN FOOTBALL 120 YEARS YOUNG

EKATERINA GRISHENKOVA

On 24 October, Russian football the Football Federation of the USSR was Under-19 Championship in Hungary. In celebrated a landmark date – the established under the leadership of Valentin 2006 and 2013, the men’s Under-17s 120th anniversary of its founding. Granatkin, a FIFA vice-president. The senior won their European Championship. On this day in 1897, the first listed football USSR national team achieved some great The national men’s and women’s futsal match in Russia took place, as reported on victories on the international scene. They teams have also won their share of in the domestic print media. The game won the Olympic Games in 1956 and 1988, honours at international level, while between the teams of St Petersburg and in 1960 beat Yugoslavia 2-1 to win the the Russian beach soccer team has twice Amateur Sports Club and the first-ever European Nations’ Cup (now the won the Beach Soccer World Cup (in 2011 Vasileostrovsky community of footballers European Football Championship). In 1966 and 2013). ended in a 6-0 win for the Vasileostrovsky the national team finished fourth in the Not to forget the successes of Russian team. World Cup. The national youth team clubs, PFC CSKA Moskva and FC Zenit St The first official football body in the won the European Under-21 (U23) Petersburg won the UEFA Cup in 2005 country, the All-Russia Football Union, was Championship three times (in 1976, 1980, and 2008 respectively. established on 19 January 1912 and became 1990), and in 1977 took the honours in the Coming right up to date, Russia is now affiliated to FIFA in the same year. Two of its U-20 World Cup. preparing to host the 2018 World Cup. As officers, Georges Duperron and Robert On 8 February 1992, the Football part of those preparations, the country Fulda, were also elected to the Executive Union of Russia was founded and took hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup this Committee of world football’s governing over responsibility for the development of summer. From 14 June to 15 July next body. The establishment of an organisation football in the country. Over the years, year, 11 cities (Moscow, St Petersburg, that would develop football was fully types of football not played during the Soviet Kazan, Kaliningrad, Sochi, Rostov on Don, justified as the game had started to become era (women’s football, futsal and beach Volgograd, Saransk, Samara, Nizhny very popular in the country. The All-Russian soccer) gained recognition in Russia. The Novgorod and Ekaterinburg) will be Football Union was founded on the eve of fans were happy to have so many teams, hosting World Cup matches. the Olympic Games in Stockholm, which and successful ones at that. In 2008, the Looking further ahead, St Petersburg was the first Olympiad in which a Russian Russian senior team reached the semi-finals will be one of the host cities for EURO national football team participated. at EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. 2020. Rolling forward 120 years since Football continued to develop during Three years earlier, in 2005, the women’s its foundation, Russian football is still the Soviet era, and on 27 December 1934, Under-19 team won the European Women’s making history.

SAN MARINO www.fsgc.sm FIFA PRESIDENT FLIES THE FLAG FOR SMALL NATIONS

LUCA PELLICCIONI

October was an especially Stadium, where he met with members of busy month for the San Marino the federation’s assembly, which includes Football Federation (FSGC) both representatives of all FSGC-affiliated clubs on and off the field. Following the visit of and associations. Delivering a message the UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, that will be warmly received in San Marino FSGC on the last Monday in September, the and other countries of similar size and embraced the agendas and initiatives of federation welcomed his FIFA counterpart, status, he said it was “vital that smaller the presidents of both organisations and Gianni Infantino, on 5 October. national associations are afforded the taken every opportunity to support their The FIFA president was received by same respect as the game’s major efforts to reform world football when we San Marino’s heads of state, Matteo global powers.” could have taken a back seat. This goes a Fiorini and Enrico Carattoni, who Turning to off-the-field matters, the long way to explaining why the excellent appointed him as a commander of the FSGC president, Marco Tura, said: “Both relationships we have enjoyed with UEFA order of Saint Agatha. The FIFA president UEFA and FIFA hold San Marino in the and FIFA for some time have become then made his way to the San Marino highest regard, not least because we have even stronger in recent years.”

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 55 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTLAND www.scottishfa.co.uk UEFA PRESIDENT VISITS HAMPDEN PARK

MICHAEL LAMONT Aleksander Čeferin

The UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, visited Hampden Park at the start of October following the successful completion of the first phase of stadium development works for EURO 2020. The UEFA president was at Hampden Park with the president of the Scottish FA, Alan McRae, the association’s chief executive, Stewart Regan, Scottish Scottish FA government minister for public health and sport, Aileen Campbell, and deputy leader stand to enhance the hospitality merit award for services to grassroots of Glasgow city council, David McDonald, experience in line with the tournament football at this year’s Scottish FA as well as the members of the board of requirements. grassroots awards. the Scottish FA and of the EURO 2020 The UEFA president toured Hampden “EURO 2020 will be an exceptional local organising structure. Park to learn more about the history tournament with 13 countries all Hampden Park will play host to three of the stadium and Scottish football. contributing to hosting the group matches and a round of 16 game In conjunction with the Scottish competition,” the UEFA president during EURO 2020, which will be held government’s Women and Girls in Sport said. “Glasgow is a fantastic in 13 different cities across Europe. Week, he also met players and staff footballing city steeped in tradition In preparation for the tournament, from the Pollok United Soccer Academy and Hampden Park will provide the new LED giant screens have been installed in connection with UEFA’s #EqualGame perfect setting for four matches. inside Hampden Park, in addition to 26 campaign to promote inclusion, diversity I enjoyed visiting Pollok United in new sky boxes that have been constructed and accessibility in football throughout Glasgow’s South Side and seeing across the south stand. Two sky lounges Europe. Pollok United has a thriving girls’ the impressive work being done by have also been fitted out in the north section, led by Jane Lavery, who won the grassroots clubs in Scotland.”

SERBIA www.fss.rs ENDING THE YEAR ON A HIGH

MIRKO VRBICA

Serbia have qualified for next year’s The senior national team’s qualification

World Cup in Russia, rounding off for next summer’s World Cup is the FAS a fantastic year for the Football crowning achievement among several Slaviša Kokeza Association of Serbia (FAS) – its best for excellent results achieved by Serbia’s eight years, when Serbia last qualified for other national teams. Bunjevčević, sports director of the FAS. the World Cup. “The Under-19 and Under-17 teams Spurred on by these great results Congratulating head coach Slavoljub made it through to the final stages of the achieved by all its national teams, the Muslin and his players on their amazing qualifying competitions in their respective FAS has been investing in infrastructure, achievement, Slaviša Kokeza, president European championships, and we can be undertaking renovation work, building of the FAS, said: “The national team’s proud of the fact that our women’s teams artificial pitches and donating equipment qualification for the World Cup was my at those age levels did the same. to clubs in the lower leagues. More than first goal as FAS president. My second “Congratulations also to our Under-21 600 clubs throughout the country, mainly goal is to purchase a headquarters for team, who have started well in their those which need the help most, have the association, the third is to build a qualifiers for the European Under-21 been given shirts, balls, football boots new stadium, and the fourth, and Championship final round in Italy. With and other kit needed to ensure that perhaps the most important for the one match less and two points more than players in younger age categories can prosperity of Serbian football, is to their closest competitors, we have good progress and develop their skills in the enable the privatisation of football clubs.” reason to remain optimistic,” said Goran best possible conditions.

56 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SLOVAKIA www.futbalsfz.sk JOZEF JANKECH TURNS 80

PETER SURIN

In 1997, Jozef Jankech celebrated individually.” His philosophy paid “My coaching career lasted 45 his 60th birthday as Slovakia’s off: that year, the Maldives beat years and that´s a long time. It will national team coach. Ten years India in the final to become South be a strange feeling not to come later, he celebrated his 70th birthday as Asian champions – their greatest to training and sit on the bench. coach of another national team, the footballing achievement ever. I hope I can stay healthy for a few Maldives. This year, on 24 October, he “I started thinking about ending more years,” he said when calling toasted his 80th birthday in the Slovakian my coaching career in my sixties, SFZ it a day. city of Trencin, where he now lives. but those around me convinced Jankech coached no fewer than Jankech was a fantastic right-winger me that I still had a lot to offer. And so 600 matches in the Slovak top flight, who played a big part in Trencin’s golden I continued.” Jankech went on to receive which is some achievement and does not era during the 1960s, when Jednota the coach of the year award in Slovakia take into account his ten years of coaching Trenčín finished second (1963) and third at the age of 72. abroad, his time as Slovakia’s head coach (1968) in the Czechoslovakian top flight. He is one of the most respected figures or his spells with second-division teams. After hanging up his boots, he in Slovakian football, a living legend. Altogether, his coaching record stretches embarked on what was to be a long and Inducted into the hall of fame of Trencin to more than 1,000 matches. None of the illustrious coaching career, which lasted football and an honorary inductee of teams he coached were ever relegated until autumn 2010. He coached all of Slovakian football’s hall of fame, the list under his watch, and he won promotion Slovakia’s best-known teams, in addition of clubs he has coached in his time is with Třinec, Lokomotíva Košice, Dubnica to spending long spells with clubs abroad. impressive: TŽ Třinec, VSS Košice, and Slovan. In 1979, he won the At international level, Jankech was head Lokomotíva Košice on three different Czechoslovak Cup with Lokomotíva Košice. coach of the Slovakia national team for occasions, Strojárne Martin, FC Nea When asked whether he was thinking more than three years (from July 1995 to Salamina in Cyprus, MŠK Žilina, TTS about writing a book about his life in October 1998), presiding over 34 official Trenčín, Slovan Bratislava, Kuala Lumpur football, he answered: “No, because only international matches and clocking up FA in Malaysia, Jednota VSS Košice, Inter a few readers would be interested. There an average of 1.74 points per game. Bratislava, Slovan Levice on two occasions, are a lot of people like me in this world.” He was not a man of habit. When Qatar SC, the Slovak national team, We would tend to disagree. There are preparing the Maldives national team for Dubnica, the Maldives national team many football coaches in the world, the South Asian Football Federation Cup and Dukla Banská Bystrica. He ended his but there is only one Jozef Jankech – in 2008, he said: “Routine is the worst – coaching career at Slovan Bratislava at a fantastic coach and, moreover, a I always prepare for every training session the age of 73. great person.

SWEDEN www.svenskfotboll.se FA INTEGRATION MANAGER TO GIVE TED TALK

ANDREAS NILSSON Sevana Bergström When Sevana Bergström was eight significantly underrepresented in Swedish years old, she just wanted to play sport, including football. One reason is football, but her parents said it was that some of these girls have parents who not for girls. After she had overcome her do not allow their daughters to take part own struggles and played football at elite in any activities due to outdated norms of level, she set out to help other girls who honour-shame culture. We want to change were being held back by society. She that. Football has a unique way of started one of Sweden’s leading reaching people and teaching values of Bildbyråna organisations working against ‘honour’- equality and democracy,” Sevana says. based violence and for the rights of girls. Since last year, Sevana has been are being recognised internationally and Through grassroots football for girls, her employed by the Swedish FA as an she has been invited to give a TEDx talk organisation and the Ronjabollen project integration manager, heading the in November. Sevana Bergström’s TEDx have empowered girls all over Sweden. association’s work on diversity and talk will be available on ted.com from ”Girls with both parents born abroad are inclusion in football. Now her efforts 25 November.

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 57 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

SWITZERLAND www.football.ch YOU CAN PLAY TOO!

PIERRE BENOIT

The Swiss Football supporting each other through times Association has been actively of disappointment. promoting girls’ and women’s The Swiss FA also helps girls who football for many years. The Swiss love watching football to decide whether women’s national team’s recent successes to take up the game themselves. When in qualifying for the Women’s World Cup weighing up whether football is the and Women’s EURO 2017 owe much to right choice for them, they are asked to the way in which the Swiss FA supports consider the following three questions: and nurtures the sport at grassroots as Do I love being outside in the fresh air? well as elite level, encouraging girls to play Do I like being with my friends and getting football from a very young age. to know new people? Would I enjoy When a young girl first joins a football playing football as part of a team? club, whether she will go on to emulate If they can answer ‘yes’ to all three stars such as Lara Dickenmann, Ana-Maria questions, they should take the plunge. Crnogorčević or Ramona Bachmann is They can find out which clubs have girls’ anyone’s guess. Much more important, and women’s teams on the Swiss FA’s however, is the enjoyment she will get website (www.football.ch) and take the from playing, being with her team-mates, first step of attending their first training sharing with them the highs and lows, session, which will hopefully be the first celebrating successes together and of many. SFV

UKRAINE www.ffu.org.ua GIRLS’ FOOTBALL IN THE SPOTLIGHT

YURI MAZNYCHENKO

The Football Federation of Ukraine More than 80 girls aged 11 to 13 from Rivne in a penalty shoot-out. In the (FFU), with the support of the different parts of the country, including match for third place, Kharkiv beat German Development Bank (KfW) those affected by the armed conflict in Mykolaiv 2-0. Teams from the and the United Nations Children’s Fund eastern Ukraine, participated in the Ternopil, Chernihiv, Donetsk and (UNICEF) in Ukraine, held a football tournament, the first of its kind in Cherkasy regions also took part. tournament dedicated to the International Ukraine. In the final, the Kyiv team Laura Bill, deputy head of UNICEF’s Day of the Girl on 11 October. clinched victory over the team from representative office in Ukraine, said that the organisation of such girls’ competitions helped to dispel the existing stereotypes of football being a boy’s game. “UNICEF stands for equal rights for every child. Therefore, it is very important for us that girls and boys have equal rights and opportunities in society, and can realise their dreams,” she said. Medals, balls and other prizes were presented by the FFU general secretary, Yuri Zapisotskyi, FC Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Mykyta Shevchenko, the head coach of Ukraine’s boys’ Under-17 team, Serhiy Popov, and female internationals Vira Pavlo Kubanov Pavlo Dyatel and Iryna Vasilyuk.

58 – UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 BIRTHDAYS, FORTHCOMING EVENTS

BIRTHDAYS

John Ferry (Northern Ireland, 1 December) Stephan Kammerer (Germany, 13 December) Dagmar Damková Sergei Roumas (Belarus, 1 December) Björn Fecker (Germany, 13 December) 40th (Czech Republic, 29 December) David Griffiths (Wales, 2 December) António Mortágua (Portugal, 14 December) Angelo Chetcuti (Malta, 29 December) Carmel Agius (Malta, 2 December) Bülent Konuk (Germany, 14 December) Berti Vogts (Germany, 30 December) Ligita Ziedone (Latvia, 2 December) Ged Poynton (England, 15 December) Wolfgang Thierrichter Sean Dipple (England, 3 December) 60th Dušan Svoboda (Czech Republic, 15 December) (Austria, 30 December) Juan Antonio Fernández Marin Stefanie Schulte Matt Crocker (England, 30 December) (Spain, 3 December) 60th (Germany, 15 December) 40th Jean Fournet-Fayard (France, 31 December) Gylfi Thór Orrason (Iceland, 3 December) Steve Stride (England, 16 December) Christian Moroge Josipa Flam (Croatia, 3 December) Stefano Pucci (Italy, 16 December) (Switzerland, 31 December) 70th Janusz Basałaj (Poland, 4 December) Bobby Barnes (England, 17 December) David Findlay (Scotland, 31 December) 60th Miroslav Liba (Czech Republic, 4 December) Michael Riley (England, 17 December) Jens Larsen (Denmark, 31 December) Georg Lüchinger (Liechtenstein, 4 December) Artan Hajdari (Albania, 17 December) Emmanuel Orhant (France, 31 December) Adrian Ixari (Moldova, 4 December) Kenneth Gronlund Rasmussen Liene Kozlovska (Latvia, 31 December) Desislava Ralkova (Bulgaria, 4 December) (Denmark, 17 December) Christiaan Van Puyvelde Guntis Indriksons (Latvia, 18 December) (Belgium, 5 December) Niklas à Lidarenda FORTHCOMING EVENTS Christiaan Timmermans (Faroe Islands, 18 December) (Belgium, 6 December) Rainer Koch (Germany, 18 December) Meetings Heather Rabbatts (England, 6 December) Jacco Swart (Netherlands, 18 December) 1 December, Moscow António Manuel Almeida Costa Patrick Filipek (Czech Republic, 18 December) 2018 World Cup: draw (Portugal, 6 December) Ludvik Georgsson (Iceland, 19 December) Alberto Pacchioni (San Marino, 6 December) Harri Talonen (Finland, 19 December) 60th 6 December, Nyon Pavel Saliy (Kazakhstan, 6 December) 50th David Casserly 2017/18 European Under-19 Marko Simeunovič (Republic of Ireland, 19 December) and Under-17 Championships: (Slovenia, 6 December) 50th Amirzhan Tussupbekov elite round draws Stilian Shishkov (Bulgaria, 6 December) (Kazakhstan, 20 December) Andrea Agnelli (Italy, 6 December) José Nebot (Spain, 20 December) 2018/19 European Under-19 and Under-17 Andreas Akkelides (Cyprus, 7 December) Edgars Pukinsks (Latvia, 20 December) Championships: qualifying round draws Ray Ellingham (Wales, 7 December) Willie Young (Scotland, 21 December) Johan van Geijn (Netherlands, 7 December) Bjarne Berntsen (Norway, 21 December) 2018/19 UEFA Regions’ Cup: preliminary Raili Ellermaa (Estonia, 7 December) 50th José Henrique Da Costa Jones and intermediate round draws Andrea Manzella (Italy, 8 December) (Portugal, 22 December) 60th Michel D’Hooghe (Belgium, 8 December) Olzhas Abrayev (Kazakhstan, 22 December) 7 December, Nyon Konstantin Sonin (Russia, 8 December) Josef Geisler (Austria, 23 December) Executive Committee Les Reed (England, 9 December) Pia Hess-Bolkovac (Germany, 23 December) Martin Ingvarsson (Sweden, 9 December) László Vágner (Hungary, 24 December) 11 December, Nyon Florea Cristina Babadac Irina Mirt (Romania, 24 December) UEFA Champions League: round of 16 (Romania, 9 December) Noël Le Graët (France, 25 December) draw Dušan Bajević Patritiu Abrudan (Romania, 25 December) UEFA Europa League: round of 32 draw (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 December) Laura Montgomery (Scotland, 25 December) UEFA Youth League: play-off draw Christian Andreasen Nikola Mužíková (Faroe Islands, 10 December) (Czech Republic, 25 December) Competitions Laura McAllister (Wales, 10 December) Guy Goethals (Belgium, 26 December) 5/6 December Alain Hamer (Luxembourg, 10 December) Servet Yardımcı (Turkey, 26 December) 60th UEFA Champions League: group matches Trefor Lloyd Hughes Rudolf Repka (Czech Republic, 26 December) (matchday 6) (Wales, 11 December) 70th Bernhard Heusler (Switzerland, 27 December) UEFA Youth League – UEFA Champions Avi Levi (Israel, 11 December) Nils Fisketjonn (Norway, 27 December) League path: group matches (matchday 6) Ilcho Gjorgjioski Dušan Tittel (Slovakia, 27 December) (FYR Macedonia, 11 December) Jaroslav Šišolák (Slovakia, 27 December) 6–16 December, United Arab Emirates Alvaro Albino (Portugal, 12 December) Krisztina Varga (Hungary, 27 December) Club World Cup Fiona May (Italy, 12 December) Bernard Carrel Esther Azzopardi Farrugia (Switzerland, 28 December) 80th 7 December (Malta, 12 December) Martial Saugy (Switzerland, 28 December) UEFA Europa League: group matches Ivan Anthony Robba (Gibraltar, 12 December) Otakar Mestek (Czech Republic, 28 December) (matchday 6) Kaj Natri (Finland, 13 December) 70th Evangelos Mazarakis (Greece, 29 December) Stefan Messner (Austria, 13 December) Anders Solheim (Norway, 29 December)

UEFA DIRECT • December 2017 – 59 No.173 • December 2017