No 54 – October 2006 10.06 elections Club Forum European Super Cup win the Sevilla FC payments League Champions competitions of theEuropean Monaco: hub elections Club Forum European Super Cup win the Sevilla FC payments League Champions competitions of theEuropean Monaco: hub Including 11 08 06 03 11 08 06 03 COVER IN THIS ISSUE Sevilla FC win the Super Cup 08 Christian Poulsen and Sevilla FC Rewards for the players 04 Eleven questions for 09 took FC Barcelona by surprise, Referee preparation 10 achieving a convincing win in the Champions League payments 06 2006 UEFA Super Cup. Central marketing for part European Club Forum elections 11 PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES of the UEFA Cup 06 News from member associations 17

PreservingEditorial regional identity

To give clubs time to get used to the idea, the new rule on locally trained players was announced well ahead of its planned introduction in the UEFA club com- petition season that has just got under way. In the meantime, events on the field, as well as trans- fers and draws, may have relegated it to the back of people’s minds, so, with the UEFA club competitions almost in full swing again, it is perhaps opportune to explain the reasoning behind it again. It should be said, first of all, that the new rule is not a roundabout way of reviving the old “3+2” rule, which limited the number of foreign players a club could field and hindered the free movement of players. Rather, the new rule aims to preserve a club’s identification with its town/city and region of origin. But why, in these days when sport is a form of entertainment that knows practically no borders, particularly at club level, does anyone want to preserve this regional identity? There are many reasons for wanting to do so, not least a desire to encourage clubs to invest in the training of young local players and to give them a way into first-team football with their clubs, which all too often succumb to the temptation of looking elsewhere for players who are already fully fledged. It is also a matter of preserving the supporters’ attachment to “their” club. The big teams might still attract the crowds despite their line-ups consisting almost exclusively of foreign players, but what works for them does not necessarily work for less successful clubs. A club that is not firmly rooted in its region therefore runs the risk of being of interest to no one and even of disappearing altogether. Football’s success also lies in the different styles of play involved, the passion of derby matches and traditional rivalry, and the disappearance of diverse national playing techniques can only lead to monotonous uniformity. Furthermore, there is the fact that UEFA’s entire club competition system is based on rankings of its member associations that are compiled according to the results achieved by their clubs. It therefore makes sense that an association’s rankings should to some extent be the by-product of the efforts of players trained by its clubs. There is also the fact that local authorities as well as businesses usually support the clubs, not only financially but also by providing them with facilities or Training other benefits. So it is only fair that, in return, the clubs take on local players and young players fulfil their social responsibilities. should be a priority aspect This season’s rule, which requires just four players to be locally trained, is the of clubs’ social first step towards the ultimate objective of eight “homegrown” players per squad of responsibility. 25 by 2008/09. The first step is, however, often the most important, since it is a clear indication of the desire to act.

Lars-Christer Olsson Chief Executive

EMPICS/RANGERS we care about football

02 uefadirect 10.06 Monaco, capital of club football Meeting point VOGEL/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES VOGEL/BONGARTS/GETTY Champions

FOR A FEW DAYS AT THE END OF AUGUST, Gallery The 50th anniversary of the first Euro- MONACO ONCE AGAIN BECAME THE CAPITAL pean Champion Clubs’ Cup/Champions League final last May provided an oppor- OF EUROPEAN CLUB FOOTBALL. tunity to remember the history of this prestigious competition and to relive some This widely reported gathering the others trained by the club itself. of its outstanding moments. represents the meeting point between Next season, the number of locally the previous season, symbolised by the trained players will increase to six, and UEFA Super Cup match between the then to eight the following season. two winners of the 2005/06 competi- Another change in the rules tions, and the new campaign, although for the new season is the authorisation for many clubs the season started in to play on artificial turf. mid-July, or even before the World Cup Although, from an external per- was over where clubs competing in the spective, the main events in Monaco are UEFA Intertoto Cup are concerned. the Super Cup match, two draws and GETTY IMAGES A change to the format of the the presentation of trophies to a hand- It would have been a shame if Intertoto Cup, which now gives 11 clubs ful of players, a whole host of other ac- these memories had been filed away a place in the second qualifying round tivities take place. These include numer- again until some future celebration, which of the UEFA Cup, was the first innova- ous meetings, not only for clubs partici- is why the idea of a “UEFA Champions tion in a season also marked by the cen- pating in the Champions League in par- Gallery” was conceived. The aim is to raise tralised marketing of the UEFA Cup ticular and the UEFA Cup, but also for the awareness of the young and not so from the quarter-finals onwards. sponsors, television partners and mem- young of the heritage of European club On the regulatory front, the bers of various UEFA committees and football, particularly as part of the festiv- most important change is undoubtedly working groups. There is also a gala ities held in the run-up to the Champions League final. the introduction of rules on “locally evening, as well as press conferences An initial version of the gallery trained players”. Four such players must and briefings, the presentation of a was unveiled at the Champions League now be included in the list of 25 regis - cheque to a charity and, in particular, draw in Monte Carlo. Visitors could view tered for the season’s competitions. No numerous opportunities to make con- copies of the front pages of the pro- more than two of these four should tacts and swap ideas and opinions. grammes from each of the finals, as well have been trained within the national Monaco truly underlines the UEFA mot- as an audiovisual presentation depicting association of the club concerned, with to: we care about football. some of the unforgettable personalities and moments from the competition’s history. 03 The five award winners for the assists UEFA CEO 2005-06 European Lars-Christer Olsson club competition with the draw. season (left to right: Carles Puyol, Deco, , Jens Lehmann and Samuel Eto’o). BOZZANI GETTY IMAGES

Awards Chosen by the UEFA Technical Study Group and the coaches of the UEFA 16 teams that progressed beyond the group stage of the last Champions League, almost all of last season’s best players came from the club that won Champions the competition: only Arsenal goal- keeper Jens Lehmann was not a mem- ber of the FC Barcelona squad. The award for the best de- fender was presented to Carles Puyol League by former Barcelona player Michael Awards and draw Laudrup. Already named best midfield- THE DRAW FOR THE GROUP PHASE OF THE 15TH EDITION OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS er in 2004, when he played for FC LEAGUE WAS HELD AT THE FORUM GRIMALDI IN MONTE CARLO ON 24 AUGUST. Porto, Deco received the same acco - lade again this year, while his team- From a commercial point of previous season’s club competitions. mate Samuel Eto’o won the award for view, this season marks the start of Whereas last year’s awards were pre- the best forward. Paulo Sousa and a new three-year cycle, a fact high- sented before the draw, this Raymond Kopa presented these two lighted in Monaco by a “freshening year they interspersed the differ- trophies. up” of the competition’s visual ent stages of the draw proce- Replacing the “Most Valuable identity. The draw programme was dure, i.e. the distribution of the Player” award, which was presented also different this year, with the in- teams placed in each of the four in previous years, the prize for the UEFA clusion of the traditional presentation pots (in accordance with the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year went to of awards to the best players from the club coefficients) into eight groups. Ronaldinho, who received his award from the UEFA president. As is right and proper in a team sport, each of the winners paid tribute to their team-mates for help- ing them to achieve their own person- al success.

Sixteen associations represented Carried out with the help of a computer, as in recent years, in order to take into account factors such as stadium availability, climatic conditions and the presence of more than one team from the same region, the draw was conducted by UEFA Chief Execu- tive Lars-Christer Olsson, who called on all the participants to respect the rules and the principles of fair play. The 2006/07 Champions League involves representatives of UEFA President 16 national associations, one of Lennart Johansson presents Ronaldinho which (Bulgaria) has never previously with the UEFA had a participating club. The Bulgari- Club Footballer of

the Year award. BOZZANI an champions, Levski , and

04 uefadirect 10.06 FC Copenhagen The balls (Brede Hangeland, in blue) used in the caused an upset by knocking draw look out AFC Ajax to qualify like miniature for the UEFA Champions Champions League group stage for the League match first time. balls. BOZZANI

tion for a record-breaking 11th consec- utive season. The other most frequent participants are Bayern , Bar - celona, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and AC , who have each played ten seasons of Champions League football. Two other clubs who have participated ten times – Juventus and Rosenborg – failed to make this sea- son’s line-up. It is also worth noting that 13 previous winners of the Cham- NEDERSTIGT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES pion Clubs’ Cup/Champions League FC Copenhagen are the only two of who were both absent last year, each are aiming to lift the trophy again this the 32 participants who have never pre- have two clubs represented, while Steaua year: Real Madrid (9 victories), AC viously qualified, bringing the total Bucharest have qualified for Europe’s Milan (6), Liverpool (5), Bayern number of clubs who have played in the most prestigious club competition after Munich (4), Barcelona (2), Benfica (2), Champions League to 99 and the num- a ten-year absence. Internazionale (2), United ber of national associations represented, Manchester United and FC Porto (2), Porto (2), Celtic (1), PSV Eindhoven which had been unchanged since 2003, are the most regular participants in the (1), SV Hamburg (1) and Steaua to 29. This season sees the return of a Champions League, with each involved Bucharest (1). Nine other participants strong East European contingent: in addi- for the 12th time this year. Manchester have won either the UEFA Cup or the tion to Levski Sofia, Russia and Ukraine, United have qualified for the competi- Cup Winners’ Cup, or both. UEFA Champions League Calendar 2006-07

Group A Group B Group C Group D 12.09 Chelsea – Werder Bremen SC Portugal – Internazionale Galatasaray – G. Bordeaux Olympiacos – Valencia CF Barcelona – Levski Sofia Bayern München – Spartak Moskva PSV Eindhoven – Liverpool AS Roma – Shakhtar Donetsk 27.09 Levski Sofia – Chelsea Spartak Moskva – SC Portugal Liverpool – Galatasaray Shakhtar Donetsk – Olympiacos Werder Bremen – Barcelona Internazionale – Bayern München G. Bordeaux – PSV Eindhoven Valencia CF – AS Roma 18.10 Werder Bremen – Levski Sofia Internazionale – Spartak Moskva G. Bordeaux – Liverpool Valencia CF – Shakhtar Donetsk Chelsea – Barcelona SC Portugal – Bayern München Galatasaray – PSV Eindhoven Olympiacos CFP – AS Roma 31.10 Levski Sofia – Werder Bremen Spartak Moskva – Internazionale Liverpool – G. Bordeaux Shakhtar Donetsk – Valencia CF FC Barcelona – Chelsea Bayern München – SC Portugal PSV Eindhoven – Galatasaray AS Roma – Olympiacos CFP 22.11 Werder Bremen – Chelsea Internazionale – SC Portugal G. Bordeaux – Galatasaray Valencia CF – Olympiacos CFP Levski Sofia – Barcelona Spartak Moskva – Bayern München Liverpool FC – PSV Eindhoven Shakhtar Donetsk – AS Roma 05.12 Chelsea – Levski Sofia SC Portugal – Spartak Moskva Galatasaray – Liverpool FC Olympiacos – Shakhtar Donetsk Barcelona – Werder Bremen Bayern München – Internazionale PSV Eindhoven – G. Bordeaux AS Roma – Valencia CF

Group E Group F Group G Group H 13.09 Dynamo Kyiv – Steaua B. Manchester Utd – Celtic FC FC Porto – CSKA Moskva Anderlecht – LOSC Lille Ol. Lyonnais – Real Madrid FC Copenhagen – SL Benfica Hamburger SV – Arsenal FC AC Milan – AEK Athens 26.09 Real Madrid – Dynamo Kyiv SL Benfica – Manchester Utd Arsenal FC – FC Porto AEK Athens – Anderlecht Steaua B. – Ol. Lyonnais Celtic FC – FC Copenhagen CSKA Moskva – Hamburger SV LOSC Lille – AC Milan 17.10 Steaua B. – Real Madrid Celtic FC – SL Benfica CSKA Moskva – Arsenal FC LOSC Lille – AEK Athens Dynamo Kyiv – Ol. Lyonnais Manchester Utd – Copenhagen FC Porto – Hamburger SV RSC Anderlecht – AC Milan 01.11 Real Madrid – Steaua B. SL Benfica – Celtic FC Arsenal FC – CSKA Moskva AEK Athens – LOSC Lille Ol. Lyonnais – Dynamo Kyiv Copenhagen – Manchester Utd Hamburger SV – FC Porto AC Milan – RSC Anderlecht 21.11 Steaua B. – Dynamo Kyiv Celtic FC – Manchester Utd CSKA Moskva – FC Porto LOSC Lilles – Anderlecht Real Madrid – Ol. Lyonnais SL Benfica – FC Copenhagen Arsenal FC – Hamburger SV AEK Athens – AC Milan 06.12 Dynamo Kyiv – Real Madrid Manchester Utd – SL Benfica FC Porto – Arsenal FC Anderlecht – AEK Athens Ol. Lyonnais – Steaua B. FC Copenhagen – Celtic FC Hamburger SV – CSKA Moskva AC Milan – LOSC Lille

05 After the Anything draw, the to do participants with the make arrange- Champions ments for League their group attracts matches. keen media interest. GETTY IMAGES BOZZANI

These fixed payments total Prize money in euros EUR 276.6 million. A similar sum (EUR 270.37 million) is set aside for ■ The competition format remains EUR 300,000 for each draw; the “market pool”. The clubs also ■ the same: the top two in each group EUR 2.2 million for qualify- keep the gate receipts from their will qualify for the last 16, with the ing for the last 16; home matches. third-placed teams dropping into the ■ EUR 2.5 million for each If income exceeds expecta- UEFA Cup round of 32. On the finan- quarter-finalist; tions, the surplus will primarily be cial side, however, this new three-year ■ EUR 3 million for each semi- used to fund the increase (more cycle will see prize money awarded in finalist; than EUR 10 million) in solidarity euros rather than Swiss francs. ■ EUR 4 million for the runners- payments made to the clubs With total gross income estimated up; knocked out in the Champions at EUR 750 million, the prize money, ■ EUR 7 million for the winners. League and UEFA Cup qualifying calculated according to the competi- rounds: tion regulations, will again be distrib- Solidarity payments for the Champions League: uted in fixed amounts as well as pay- ■ All national champions who fail to qualify for the Champions League ments dependent on the commercial group stage will receive EUR 160,000. ■ value of the national market of the Each club participating in the first and/or second qualifying round of the Champions League will receive EUR 100,000 per round, unless they qual- participating clubs (“market pool”). ify for the group stage. The fixed amounts are as follows: ■ No prize money will be awarded for participation in the third qualify- ■ EUR 2 million per club as basic ing round: the eliminated clubs, who will enter the UEFA Cup, will receive prize money; solidarity payments for that competition (cf. page 7) while keeping the ■ EUR 400,000 per group match money received for the first two qualifying rounds. played; Any additional sum left over when these payments have been made will ■ EUR 600,000 for each victory in be distributed in accordance with a decision of the Executive Committee, the group matches; with the agreement of the Club Competitions Committee.

CentralisedUEFA marketing Cup

FOR THE THIRD TIME, THIS SEASON’S UEFA CUP WILL COMPRISE A MIXTURE OF GROUP AND KNOCK-OUT MATCHES. However, this year will be the first time that the television and marketing rights have been cen - trally marketed from the quarter-final stage onwards. This change, which was approved by the European Club Forum, should enhance the commercial value of this competition and, if the initial figures are anything to go by, this objective is well on the way to being achieved. According to forecasts presented, inter alia, at the Club Competitions Committee meeting held in Monaco, income is expected to reach at least EUR 45 million from TV and marketing rights, which is more than the CHF 62 million of TV revenue obtained Sevilla FC will be aiming to retain the trophy they for all UEFA Cup matches in 2005/06 (according to

won in Eindhoven. PHOTONEWS the income declarations provided by the clubs).

06 uefadirect 10.06 A brand-new décor for the UEFA Cup. ??????????????? UEFA

As in the UEFA Champions participating in the qualifying rounds Prize for League, this revenue will be distrib- and first round will receive EUR uted in the form of fixed amounts and 70,000 per round, even if they qualify Daniel Alves market-related payments. for the group phase. Before the UEFA Cup draw, It is also worth noting that Sevilla FC defender Daniel Alves The fixed amounts clubs participating in the UEFA Inter- Da Silva was presented with the are as follows: toto Cup will earn EUR 50,000 per award for the Most Valuable ■ the 40 clubs participating in the round (i.e. a maximum of Player in last season’s UEFA Cup. He was selected by a panel com- group matches will each receive a EUR 150,000). Those that basic payment of EUR 70,000; posed of the coaches of the eight qualify for the second quarter-finalists in the 2005/06 ■ each win in the group matches will qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. be worth EUR 40,000; UEFA Cup will receive these ■ a draw in the group stage will earn payments as well as the each club EUR 20,000; above-mentioned sums. The UEFA Super Cup forms ■ the 24 teams that qualify for the part of the centralised marketing pro- last 32 will each receive EUR gramme of the UEFA Cup. The prize 70,000; those that reach the last for the winner – Sevilla FC this season 16 will earn a further EUR 70,000 – is EUR 1.6 million. The losers pick (the eight clubs dropping into the up EUR 1.2 million. UEFA Cup after the group stage of the UEFA Champions League will ■ Clubs from 30 national not receive any prize money for associations qualified for the first these two rounds); round of this 36th edition of the UEFA GETTY IMAGES Executive Committee member Angel Maria Villar ■ qualification for the quarter-finals Cup, which will conclude in Glasgow Llona presents Daniel Alves with the Most will be worth EUR 300,000; on 16 May 2007. The title holders, Valuable Player of the UEFA Cup 2005/06 award. ■ EUR 600,000 will be awarded to Sevilla FC, are in good company, since the 80 teams disputing first-round ties It was a good day all round each semi-finalist; for Sevilla’s Brazilian maestro, include 12 other previous winners of ■ the losing finalist will receive EUR as on the same evening he was UEFA competitions. The most success- 1.5 million; named Man of the Match in the ful of these is AFC Ajax, four-times UEFA Super Cup. Carlsberg, the ■ the competition winners will earn winners of the European Cup/Cham- competition sponsor, presented EUR 2.5 million. pions League and one of the few him with a cheque for EUR 10,000, Solidarity payments will also clubs to have won all the UEFA club which he will pass on to a charity be made for the UEFA Cup: all clubs competitions. of his choice in Spain.

07 Javi Navarro Enzo Maresca’s tries to fiercely struck dispossess penalty makes it Ronaldinho. 3-0 for Sevilla. VOGEL/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES VOGEL/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES VOGEL/BONGARTS/GETTY UEFA HACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES The new trophy is more than twice the weight of Super Cup the old one but the winners aren’t complaining! A first for Sevilla contrary, Juande Ramos’ team continued to create panic at times in the Catalan BARCELONA, , MONACO: TWO CITIES AND ONE PRINCIPALITY defence, yielding a penalty which was ALL CLOSE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN, BROUGHT TOGETHER FOR ONE converted by Maresca. In the dying se- EVENING BY A MAJOR SPORTING EVENT, THE UEFA SUPER CUP. conds there was another clear-cut chance which could have produced an even big- ger victory. The final outcome was already Continuing what is now a nine- through Renato, who found the back of sobering for Barcelona, who suffered year tradition, the Louis II stadium in the net after goalkeeper Valdes was the heaviest defeat ever incurred by the Monaco was the setting for this early- unable to hold a shot from Luis Fabiano. Champions League title-holders since season contest between the winners As the match progressed, Barce- the fixture has been held in Monaco. of last season’s top club competitions. lona sought to impose their style of play Honouring a tradition does not FC Barcelona, winners of the UEFA Cham - but opted too often for passing combi- mean, however, that there is no room for pions League final in Paris, were up nations in a very tight space, right in the innovation. For this year’s edition, which against Sevilla FC, who had emerged heart of the opponents’ defence. This marked the start of a three-year commer- victorious from the UEFA Cup final in calls for absolute precision or at least good cial cycle, a new logo was designed and, Eindhoven in the spring. finishing, neither of which the Catalans more noticeably, a larger trophy was This Spanish derby on foreign managed here. created, following the precedent set for soil drew large numbers of supporters, With their no-frills game and the European Championship. Skipper who virtually filled the arena in Monaco. the power of their strikers, the Andalu- Javi Navarro was therefore the first to re- The event was colourful, animated and sians proved to be much more effective. ceive the new-look trophy, at the first often noisy, with the Sevilla fans some- Kanouté scored a second goal just before time of asking for his club. The competi- times doing a lot of whistling. They had half-time, once again following a rebound tion has now been won 15 times by the every reason to be happy, though, as from the goalkeeper. European champions and 16 times by the Sevilla were more enterprising right from Sevilla took care not to loosen winners of the Cup Winners’ Cup or the start and quickly took the lead their grip in the second half. On the UEFA Cup. For Barcelona, who were contesting their fifth Super Cup, their tally remains at two victories, but ’s team will have the possibility of winning another trophy – the Club World Championship, which will be sta- ged in Tokyo in December. The other qualifiers are Internacional Porto Alegre (CONMEBOL), America (CONCACAF), Auckland City (OFC) plus the winners of the CAF Champions League and the AFC Champions League.

25 August 2006 Stade Louis II, Monaco – 17,480 spectators

GETTY IMAGES FC Barcelona-Sevilla FC 0-3 (0-2) Goals: 7’ Renato, 45’ Kanouté, 90’ Maresca (penalty) Referee: Stefano Farina (Italy) VOGEL/BONGARTS/

08 uefadirect 10.06 MICHEL PLATINI France Member of the UEFA Executive 21.06.1955 Committee since 2002

Vice-President of the French

PORTRAIT Football Federation

Eleven questions for the Executive Committee members Michel

THE SERIES FEATURING THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY WERE ELECTED CONTINUES WITH MICHEL PLATINI. Platini

Your first contact with impression on me, since they were football? both spontaneous and authentic. I was born into a family of It was a special, touching experience. footballers. My father, who was a Defender or attacker? coach, had me kicking footballs from Attacker: there’s no doubt a very young age. about it. Creating and scoring goals is First experience of UEFA? what football is all about. It is also my With the France team in philosophy in life. 1979, when we played Czechoslovakia We give you a ball, in Bratislava in a qualifying match for what do you do with it? the 1980 European Championship in I give it to a child. Italy, and in a UEFA Cup match for A town? Saint-Etienne in Lodz that same year. I have travelled a lot and I A player? always enjoy returning home to Paris. When I was young, Johan I can relax there while enjoying all the Cruyff was my idol. I wanted to be different possibilities the city has to like him. His footballing talent was offer. huge. Detective story or A memorable match? economic treatise? I played in many great If I had to choose, I would matches, but the semi-final of the read a detective story, although 1982 World Cup between France and I am more interested in reading bio- Germany tops the list: the whole graphies. spectrum of emotions that football Sea or mountains? can produce were felt during that Definitely the sea. I like match by both players and spectators warmth and white sand. The gentle- alike. ness of the beach helps me to rest, A memory linked to a surrounded by my family and friends. UEFA activity? A dream? That’s easy. It was at the To become UEFA President, start of this month in Yerevan, where as my compatriot Jacques Georges, I opened two mini-pitches in a wor- who came from the same region as king-class district. The excitement and me (Lorraine), did many years ago. passion of the crowd and the enthu- I believe the time has come

siasm of the youngsters made a great for me to follow in his footsteps. PHOTOS: UEFA

09 Fitness … and tests for the theory assistant sessions referees … for the elite referees.

Jozef Marko, member of the UEFA Referees’ Committee, described Referee the system in detail. He explained that, in order to ensure referees’ concentra- tion is not disturbed, a detailed pre- match discussion is vital. The match officials preparation should decide in precisely which situa- Positive feedback tions they intend to use the new equip- ment. It is also important that eye contact on the communication system is not neglected and that the system supplements rather than replaces the AT THE END OF AUGUST, THE FOURTH SUMMER GATHERING FOR UEFA assistants’ flags. ELITE AND PREMIER REFEREES AND THE SIXTH SEMINAR FOR ASSISTANT REFEREES Marko mentioned several ad- vantages that match officials can gain WERE HELD IN THE GENEVA AREA. NUMEROUS ASPECTS OF REFEREEING from using the system. For example, WERE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THE REFEREE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WHICH crucial decisions can be taken more quick- ly after consultations between the offi- IS CURRENTLY BEING TRIALLED. cials, while preventive action can also be taken more rapidly if a dispute breaks The two-day gathering had Another important item on out between players. The referee can a varied agenda involving both theo - the agenda was the electronic referee also be alerted to certain things (e.g. a retical and practical elements. Mental communication system, which has raised flag) by his assistants if they use preparation was discussed, various been tested in the UEFA Champions the beep signal. One positive “side ef- fitness exercises were demonstrated League since the spring and is desi- fect” is that the assistants assume grea- and practised, and the World Cup gned to improve and facilitate coope- ter responsibility, which is shared by all finals in Germany were put under the ration between the four match offi- members of the team. The fourth official microscope. After the meeting was cials. Its use is not compulsory. UEFA should also be able to give the referee over, UEFA published a media release is endeavouring to constantly improve greater support than before, although calling on referees to immediately cau- the system in cooperation with the he should not consult TV pictures first. tion players who treat them with dis- manufacturers. This particularly applies Finally, some practical respect by showing dissent or deman- to the radio system and attachment examples were mentioned. The assis- ding a yellow card for an opponent. devices (e.g. ear piece, microphone). tants should particularly intervene if they are better positioned than the referee to see a certain incident and can spot it more easily. In these circum- stances, the assistant should “bleep” the referee if he sees a foul that is missed by the referee, if the wrong player is cautioned or if a player is seriously injured out of the sight of the referee. Meanwhile, the fourth offi- cial, as well as performing his tradi- tional duties, should draw attention to any inappropriate behaviour in the technical area. As the trials continue, it will become clearer in which situations the communication system is most useful. However, it is pleasing that almost all the referees who have tested it so far The new electro nic have given positive feedback and want referee to continue using it. If the trials continue communication system was to go well and the IFAB gives its official a central topic approval, the equipment could soon be of discussion.

PHOTOS: UEFA-pjwoods.ch used in other competitions as well.

10 uefadirect 9.06 Michael The delegates van Praag: donned their playing a proposal for kit for matches improving refereed by Michal infrastructure. Listkiewicz, who awarded the prize for best player to Rick Parry, Liverpool FC chief executive.

between clubs and UEFA. The Club Forum board will continue negotiations European with UEFA. The participants were also in - formed of the results of the vast consul- tation exercise undertaken with all rele- Club Forum vant parties concerning the future of Election time club competitions. A working group is responsible for drafting proposals to be THE PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE EUROPEAN CLUB FORUM, IN ITS NEW COMPOSITION, submitted to the Executive Committee in June 2007. WAS HELD AT UEFA HEADQUARTERS IN NYON ON 4 AND 5 SEPTEMBER. Day two was devoted to tax issues, new media, stadiums and secu - One of the main items on the vice-presidents, four representatives of rity, as well as the commercial prospects agenda was the election of the Forum the professional leagues and four repre- of the Champions League and UEFA board, whose members will, as a one- sentatives of the clubs. The following Cup. The club delegates applauded the off, serve a three-year term from 2006 have been appointed: Joan Laporta, Um- proposal of Michael van Praag, chair- to 2009. berto Gandini, Peter Kenyon and Maarten man of the Stadium and Security Com- The 102 Forum members are Fontein. This body aims to provide a di- mittee, to increase solidarity payments divided into four groups, based on the rect link between the Executive Commit- to the leagues (from Champions League coefficients of their national associa- tee and the representatives of professio- revenue) in order to improve stadium tions; the first group is entitled to five nal football. infrastructure. seats on the Forum board, the second The members also discussed rela- “We have made progress in has three seats, the third has two and tions between UEFA and professional terms of relations between the clubs the fourth has one. Each group elects clubs, stressing a common desire to move and UEFA,” concluded UEFA Chief Exe- its own representatives and the board forward and find answers to three ques- cutive Lars-Christer Olsson, “and we will then appoints its chairman and vice- tions which had already been debated for continue to do so”. Joan Laporta, who chairmen. some time: the compensation of clubs for chaired the meeting on the second day releasing their international players and in the absence of Karl-Heinz Rummenig- insurance against injuries they might suf- ge, agreed, stressing the need to work The new board fer while playing for their national teams; together and remain united, while also Chairman: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge the participation of clubs in decision-ma- pointing out that the clubs should assu- (Bayern Munich); First Vice-Chairman: king; and the length of an agreement me their social responsibility. Joan Laporta (FC Barcelona); Vice- Chairmen: John McClelland (Rangers FC) and Niels-Christian Holmstrøm (FC Copenhagen); Members: John Borg (Birkirkara FC), Maarten Fontein (AFC Ajax), Umberto Gandini (AC Milan), Fernando Gomes (FC Porto), Peter Kenyon (Chelsea FC), Michel Verschueren (RSC Anderlecht) and Damir Vrbanovic (NK Dinamo Zagreb).

Four members of the board will also form part of the Club Compe- titions Committee: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who will be its second vice-chairman, Umberto Gandini, Niels-Christian Holmstrøm and Peter Kenyon. The clubs also had to appoint representatives for the European Pro-

fessional Football Strategy Board a PHOTOS: UEFA-pjwoods.ch new body comprising the four UEFA The new European Club Forum board.

11 Frank Rijkaard World champion Arsène Wenger flanked by Sir (right) in with Frank conversation and UEFA Rijkaard and with Fabio Technical Juande Ramos, Capello and Director Andy the winning Marcello Lippi. Roxburgh. coaches of the 2005/06 European club competitions.

nal team activity. The coaches, many Annual Elite Club of whose pre-season schedules had been complicated by the late return of players after the FIFA World Cup, Coaches Forum expressed the need to develop a balan- ced, rational fixture list based on each Welcome year’s workload (rather than a ‘stan- dard’ annual calendar) so as to give to an all- team coaches enough time to prepare their squads for another hectic season of ‘PIONEERS’ LIKE AND MARCELLO LIPPI FOUND IT HARD club football. TO BELIEVE THAT THE ELITE CLUB COACHES FORUM STAGED FROM 31 AUGUST Possible changes to the Laws TO 1 SEPTEMBER AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL IN GENEVA WAS of the Game were also debated – with emphasis on the controversial ‘passive THE EIGHTH EVENT OF ITS KIND. AND DEBUTANTS SUCH AS FRANK RIJKAARD, offside’ rule and its consequences for CHAMPION OF EUROPE WITH FC BARCELONA, OR JUANDE RAMOS, the future of the game; the need to offer referees as much help as possible HEAD COACH OF THE UEFA CUP AND UEFA SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS, SEVILLA FC, in assessing simulation; and the best QUICKLY REALISED HOW GOOD IT IS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH COLLEAGUES ways of dealing with situations involving IN WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A LONELY PROFESSION. penalties, red cards and suspensions,

The blend of ‘old hands’ and goal-scoring patterns, ball possession The participants: newcomers among a total of 17 coaches and the use of set plays also sparked Paulo Bento (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Fabio Capello (Real Madrid of 11 different nationalities represented off lively discussion. CF), Juande Ramos (Sevilla FC), Sir an ideal squad for the annual meeting. In later sessions, the elite Alex Ferguson (Manchester United FC), The 2006 edition was special in that it coaches were invited to give their input Jesualdo Ferreira (FC Porto), Valeri followed hard on the heels of the FIFA on the future of UEFA’s club competi- Gazzaev (CSKA Moscow), Ricardo Gomes (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Gérard World Cup – on which world champion tions. The outcome was a general en- Houllier (), Paul Le Marcello Lippi was ideally placed to dorsement of the current format for Guen (Rangers FC), Felix Magath (FC offer first-hand comment. A review of the UEFA Champions League, along Bayern München), Manuel Pellegrini the finals in Germany, combined with with some interesting ideas about pos- (Villarreal), Frank Rijkaard (FC Barcelona), analysis of last season’s UEFA Cham- sible ways of reshaping the UEFA Cup Fernando Santos (SL Benfica), Thomas Schaaf (Werder Bremen), Trond Sollied pions League, provoked some fascina- in order to bring it closer to UEFA (Olympiacos CFP) and Arsène Wenger ting debate on tactical trends – not least Champions League parameters. (Arsenal FC). Marcello Lippi and FIFA the fact that success in both competi- The international calendar was, head of technical development Holger tions had been built on the foundations once again, the subject of debate at Osieck were present as special guests. of effective defensive play. Analysis of the end of a summer of intense natio- which sometimes appear to be an exces- sive punishment for the ‘crime’ committed. In other words, the event allo- wed the top club coaches to put their heads together to reflect on crucial issues. Contact with coaching colleagues is all too often limited to a pre-match hand- shake on the touchline, so the UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum offers them a rare opportunity to get together in a non- competitive atmosphere. And one of the ‘old hands’ remarked, as he left Geneva, that the eighth edition had been the

PHOTOS: UEFA-pjwoods.ch best one yet.

12 uefadirect 10.06 Draw for the European Under-21 Championship play-offs in Nyon. UEFA-pjwoods.ch Report from Competitions Brussels The Independent European Sport Review will dominate a busy and other activities EU calendar in the final months of Fourteen 2006. The EU institutions, member- qualify for play-offs state governments and UEFA have already started discussions about

AN INTERMEDIARY EDITION OF THE EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP how best to implement the review’s IS BEING ORGANISED THIS SEASON SO THAT THE FINAL ROUNDS OF THE COMPETITION proposals. UEFA and its national CAN IN FUTURE BE HELD IN ODD RATHER THAN EVEN YEARS. associations must now make every effort to support the review, and As a result of the lands in June 2007. The competition will ensure that it remains at the top of reduction in time available, also be used to decide which four nations the EU sports agenda. the group stage, which will represent Europe at the Beijing Olym- concluded at the beginning pic Games in 2008. The independent review pre- of September, involved sents European sports governing teams playing each of their opponents bodies with a unique opportunity only once. In a draw held in Nyon on 8 Gate receipts September, the order of the knock-out from the club finals to secure a new le- matches between the 14 teams invol- The day before the draw for gal framework that ved was decided: the group stage of the UEFA Cham- will allow them to pions League, the Club Competitions – Sweden Committee held its first meeting run their sports in a Czech Republic – Bosnia and of the season, led by its chairman, more stable envi- Herzegovina Friedrich Stickler. José Russia – Portugal ronment. Today, Luís The packed agenda included the France – Israel Arnaut gate receipt figures from last season’s UEFA and its coun- England – Germany finals. At the Champions League final in terparts in other sports find their Italy – Spain Paris, record gate receipts were genera- Belgium – Bulgaria policies and regulations under ted, enabling Barcelona and Arsenal to constant attack in the courts. This The matches will be staged on receive CHF 3,782,696 each, in addition 6/7 and 10/11 October. The seven win- to the prize money they had already been produces legal uncertainty, and ners, along with the host nation, will awarded, i.e. CHF 10 million and 6 mil- makes the task of good governan- play in the final round in the Nether- lion respectively. ce all the more difficult. The inde- pendent review proposes a new relationship between the EU, natio- nal government and sport. In return for greater transparency and bet- ter governance from its authorities, sport is set to receive fairer treat- The France Under-21s ment from national and European (Jérémy Clément) regulators. qualified from a group On 19 September, the UK’s which included Sports Minister, , Scotland and . convened a meeting in Brussels of his counterparts from Europe’s four

FLASH PRESS other largest professional leagues: ➜

13 Marc Timmer, head of the UEFA ➜ France, Germany, Italy and Stadium and Security unit, presents the fair-play prize to the captain Spain. The meeting discussed of the German police team. how best to promote and imple- ment the review, three months

after its publication. The review RUDI ARNDT will next appear on the agenda of two forthcoming EU mee- For the UEFA Cup final in involve teams from , Belarus, tings: on 5/6 October in Finland, Eindhoven, Sevilla and Middlesbrough Moldova and Russia. senior government officials in each received CHF 954,784 from the The two tournament winners the field of sport will meet to net gate receipts. Sevilla were awarded will be joined in the intermediary round CHF 5 million for their victory, while by the best runner-up. prepare the next meeting of the the runners-up received CHF 3.5 mil- EU’s sports ministers, which will lion. Korea lift women’s take place in Brussels on 27/28 The Committee was delighted world title with the financial success of the UEFA November. rd Champions League. In 2005/06, reve- Korea DPR won the 3 Meanwhile, José Luís nue was significantly higher than the Under-20 Women’s World Champion- Arnaut, chairman of the review, target set at the start of the season, ship, which was staged in Russia from 17 August to 3 September. has undertaken a tour of exceeding CHF 940 million, a figure that should even be bettered in the The two Asian teams participa- European capitals, presenting coming season. The participants also ting in the competition managed to finish his work to national sports discussed the applications to host the first and second, with China taking the runners-up spot after a 5-0 defeat in the ministers and parliamentary club competition finals in 2008 and 2009. Seven national associations final. Brazil won the bronze medal, bea- committees. had applied to stage the Champions ting the USA on penalties. The independent review League finals, the same number as for Korea DPR showed their quality in their very first group match, a 2-0 win will feature strongly in UEFA’s the UEFA Cup. The files have been examined, visits have taken place and over title-holders Germany. They topped annual seminar on EU affairs, the decision will be taken in October. their group with three wins out of three which will take place at the Finally, the Committee granted and a of 10-0. headquarters of the Belgian FA the Austrian FA’s request that, for the Their toughest opponents were France, whom they beat 2-1 in the quar- on 30 November/1 December. 2008/09 UEFA Cup, the place normally allocated to the winner of the Austrian ter-finals thanks to a last-minute winner. The European commissioner in Cup should be given to a club accor- Germany were also eliminated at the charge of sport, Ján Figel, ding to their league position. This is quarter-final stage, beaten 4-1 by the USA, who won the tournament in 2002. will join Mr Arnaut as a special because the ÖFB wishes to protect the pitches at the EURO 2008 stadiums by The hosts, Russia, also reached the quar- guest speaker. ending the season early and reducing ter-finals, where they lost 4-0 to China. From the EU’s point of the fixtures calendar by cancelling the The Russians also won the fair play award, which they shared with Korea. view, the review could not have Austrian Cup for the 2007/08 season. The Committee stressed that this deci- Finland and Switzerland were arrived at a more opportune sion had been taken due to the excep- the other European representatives. moment, with both the Euro- tional circumstances. pean Commission and the Euro- pean Parliament preparing UEFA Regions’ Cup their own reports on the future kicks off th of sport. The commission aims The 5 UEFA Regions’ Cup kicked off in August with matches to publish a white paper on in the first of the two preliminary sport in the second quarter of round groups. 2007, which will better define Northern Ireland Eastern Region won the mini-tour- the special characteristics, or nament in the Central- specificity, that demand that West Group, which it hos- governments and regulators ted from 19 to 23 August. Having finished ahead of treat sport with particular sensi- teams from Finland, Scotland and Lat- tivity. In parallel, the European via, the Irish region will play in inter- Parliament will produce a report mediary round group 4, along with the

on the ‘future of professional Czech Republic, England and Slovakia. IMAGES KOROTAYEV/BONGARTS/GETTY Matches in the second group Nadine Kessler and her German team-mates were football’, on which all 732 MEPs unable to keep the FIFA U-20 Women’s World (Central-East) will be played in Greece Championship out of the clutches of Kim Kyong will vote early in 2007. from 19 to 23 September and will Hwa and the rest of the Korean team.

14 uefadirect 10.06 Everyone EURO 2008 pulls together press in the Open conference Fun Football in Monaco. Schools. CCPA BOZZANI

European Police Football championship in 1950. In addition, the 2. Practice (participation in a Championship German team’s exemplary conduct in five-day OFFS) – 30 hours the tournament earned them the UEFA 3. Individual feedback (provi- UEFA’s cooperation with fair play award. ded by the local OFFS instructor). the police is not merely confined to Hence, the “Cross Cultures security matters off the field – the Eight Open Fun Grassroots Certificate” entails 60 European body is more than happy Football leader and hours of training plus individual eva- to give its support to police officers luation/feedback. It is a set-up that ful- who enjoy playing football. coach seminars in the fils the general requirements laid down For ten years now, UEFA has given Transcaucasus in the UEFA Grassroots Charter. its backing to the Union Sportive des From the middle to the end In 2006, a total of 45 Open Polices d’Europe (USPE), an association of July, a total of 540 coaches from Fun Football Schools (15 schools in which brings together 40 nations to com- Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan each country) were held in the Trans- pete in a total of 16 sporting disciplines. took part in eight Open Fun Football caucasus, with some 9,000 children In the most important discipline, School (OFFS) seminars, the first time from different parts of the region and football, the European Police Football that such seminars had been organi- various ethnic and religious back- Championship takes place every four years. sed in Armenia and Azerbaijan. grounds coming together and creating Last year, 23 countries contested two The instructors took the friendships. qualifying rounds to determine the eight participants through a At each football school, parents teams who took part in August’s final comprehensive program- are invited to a parents’ day which in- round this year in the Ruhr region of me constituting the first cludes a three-hour workshop. In this Germany. module of the “Cross new initiative, the parents take part The hosts, Germany, came out Cultures” grassroots football education in an hour-long session of games follo- on top, winning their tenth European title scheme. The three modules are: wed by an interactive workshop. In at this level in the 14th final round to 1. Theory (a three-day educatio- small groups the parents discuss how ➜ be staged since the inaugural European nal seminar) – 30 hours LOOKING AHEAD TO EURO2008

●●● While the qualifying matches for EURO 2008 cipating nations. In 2008, 20% of the total capacity will be in and Switzerland are now well under way, foot- reserved for each of the teams involved in each match. In total, ball fans are having to be patient. Ticket sales will not more than 75% of the tickets will be sold to the public. begin until spring 2007, with more than 1 million tickets Are ticket prices fixed yet? available for the 31 matches. Prices will be reasonable. We will announce more Meanwhile, Pedro Correia, in charge of ticketing at details at a later date. Euro 2008 SA, has announced initial details of the ticketing arrangements. Press conference in Monaco Where and when can ●●● Although the gathe - applications be made for tickets ring in Monaco is really a club football for the 2008 European Cham- event, EURO 2008 took advantage of pionship finals? the fact that numerous media represen- Tickets will be sold exclusi - tatives were in town by inviting them vely via www.euro2008.com – this is to a presentation by Martin Kallen, the best and simplest solution for COO of Euro 2008 SA. The large num- all football fans. At present, we do ber of questions asked by the journa- not want to fix the precise date. We lists demonstrated how much interest are talking about spring 2007, i.e. the final round is already generating March or April. and the organisers’ desire to be as open What are the chances of as possible. getting a ticket? I would say they are very ●●● The tournament mas- good. The number of tickets avai- cot will be officially unveiled on 27 Sep- lable to fans is higher than ever be- tember. fore. UEFA’s policy is to give as GEPA many tickets as possible to the parti- Lars-Christer Olsson, UEFA Chief Executive, welcomed representatives of the Austrian EURO 2008 organisers in Nyon.

15 Happy days UEFA President for kids Lennart Johansson, at the Open assisted by AS Fun Football Monaco player Jan Schools. Koller (far right), hands over the cheque to represen - tatives of IBSA. CCPA CCPA GETTY IMAGES

they can contribute to the development traditional dance show in front of all In Azerbaijan, 200 children from of children’s football. the other children, for which they were Georgia and Azerbaijan took part in the One of the football schools was warmly applauded. Open Fun Football School organised at established in the small Georgian village In Armenia, one of the schools the city stadium in Agstafa. For each of of Kraveli, 150 km east of the capital was situated in Noemberyan, a small the five days, from 9 am until 2 pm, the Tbilisi, close to the border with Chech- village near the Georgian border whose beat of music accompanied the children nya. About 200 children were engaged name also refers to the 1917 revolution at the stadium in their fun-filled activities. in various activities and games. The sta- in Russia. Children from Armenia and Because of the fierce heat, the coaches dium, with its unusual but impressive Georgia met at the school and really organised frequent breaks in which the old walls, was alive with the sound of enjoyed the games. Representatives children could take refreshments. At all children and adults having a great time. from the local TV and press covered the the football schools, the children were Impressed by what he saw, the event, and a lot of parents and curious equipped with T-shirts, bracelets, UEFA local mayor promised that he would local citizens watched from the side- caps and water bottles and each child personally follow up the project in order lines. received a diploma at the end. to establish a permanent activity taking place three times a week during the season. This would be based on the CHF 1 million cheque for blind football Open Fun Football Schools concept and The event in Monaco is also an opportunity to show that football be supported by the CCPA. “I am so does not live in isolation from the rest of the world, but that it also cares happy. This project is exceptional. We about the less advantaged. haven’t seen anything like this in our vil- A cheque for CHF 1 million is presented each year in Monaco to a chari - lage for more than 20 years,” he said. table organisation, with the money coming from the fines imposed in UEFA compe- At present there are many refu- titions. This year's cheque was awarded to the International Blind Sport Federation gees from Abkhazia in the Tskhaltubo (IBSA), which promotes sport as a way of integrating blind people into society. refugee camp in Imereti, Georgia. Some IBSA works with 15 different sports. are staying temporarily in a former sana- This money will be used to support the blind futsal development project torium and living in very difficult condi- in Europe, which is to be implemented over three seasons, from 2006 until 2009. tions. At the stadium there was a fan- As part of the project, futsal for blind people will be developed through the organi- tastic atmosphere under the burning sation of a series of coaching and refereeing seminars, the purchase of equipment sun, and some of the parents were sit- and the production of specific educational materials. ting in the shade watching their chil- Blind footballers are aided by a sighted goalkeeper and two other guides dren. In one of the breaks, two of the situated along the touchlines. The ball is filled with small bells so the players know local youngsters put on a spectacular where it is. President’s Prize for Wilfried Straub This year’s UEFA President’s Prize has been awarded to Wilfried Straub of Germany. A well-known figure at UEFA, particularly in its professional football bodies, Wilfried Straub worked for many years in the Non-Amateur Football Committee and as an expert on transfers and marketing, as well as in the Professional Football Committee, of which he was a vice-chairman until this year. Lennart As director of one of Europe’s largest professional Johansson congratulates leagues, the German Football League, he has gathered Wilfried a wealth of experience in all areas of professional foot- Straub. ball. This prize rewards his broad knowledge and expert- ise, his willingness to work closely with UEFA, his ever- positive attitude and, more generally, his contribution to German and international football. UEFA President Lennart Johansson presented him with the award during the gala evening held after the

BOZZANI Champions League draw.

16 uefadirect 10.06 fans for this big ceremony,” Muhamed Konjic said. This match against France, which the visitors won 2-1, was the 96th since News the foundation of the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their EURO from member associations 2008 qualifier against Greece on 12 Oc- tober will be their 100th. Fuad Krvavac

AUSTRIA DENMARK International success for the Under-17 team Morten Olsen Austria’s national Under-17 team inspires Danish coaches have enjoyed a major success! The team “It’s all about inspiration, and all coached by Peter Persidis, who also assists about talent development.” national senior team coach Josef Hickers- Three years ago, Danish head berger, won the 18th edition of the Jugend coach Morten Olsen came up with the TOTO Cup in Tyrol. It is the first time that idea of a national ‘inspirational day’ for the red and whites have ever won this pres- Danish coaches from all over the country tigious youth tournament. The Austrians’ – no matter 1-1 draw with Belgium in their final match their experien- was enough to secure the title, as Switzer- ce or which

land and Hungary drew 2-2. In their pre- F.KRVAVAC teams they vious matches, Persidis’ team beat the Swiss coach. This Thierry Henry congratule Muhamed Konjic. 2-0 and drew 1-1 with the holders Hungary. summer, to- As well as the trophy for winning gether with the tournament, the Austrian team took out of the national team in their recent the new head home further awards. friendly match against France, runners-up coach of the Christoph Kröpfl was in the 2006 World Cup. The match was Under-17 na- named “player of the played at the Asim Ferhatovic Hase Olympic tional team, tournament”, while stadium in Kosevo in front of 35,000 Glen Ridder- Thomas Helly’s two spectators. sholm, Morten goals meant that he Konjic, who has also been Olsen gave was joint top goalsco- playing for Derby County in England, deci- inspiration to Morten Olsen. IMAGES ROSE/BONGARTS/GETTY rer in the Jugend TOTO ded to hang up his boots because of the 460 coaches who participated over Cup, along with three health problems. two days. other players. He started his career with Sara - The day is arranged to give the ÖFB The tournament jevo’s FK Zeljeznicar and went on to play for coaches inspiration for new training me- was again a total suc- Famos, Zagreb, Zurich, Monaco and Coven- thods, new practices and ideas on how to cess both on and off try. He made 36 appearances for the natio- make their training in their home clubs the pitch. The event nal team, scored two goals, against Lithua- even more interesting, using practices has an excellent reputation throughout nia in Vilnius, and against FYR Macedonia from the senior national team, among Europe for providing top quality football. in Zenica. others. Every participating country is therefore keen Vedin Music, who also appeared “I hope everyone will take some to return in 2007 in order to compete for in the national team’s first official match with new ideas home with them, but, most of Austria’s title! Konjic, also played in the match against all, some specific tools to help the coaches In September, the team led by for- France. to work with their home clubs. This is mer Olympiacos defender Peter Persidis will Konjic retired in the fourth minute how we ensure that the new thoughts be in action in Greece, where they will face of the match and was substituted by Emir we have about how we want Danish Sweden, Liechtenstein and Greece in Euro- Spahic. They both wore the number 4 on football to be in the future – more ball pean Championship qualifying matches. their shirts. After saying goodbye to his Bos- possession and better technique – will be Peter Klinglmüller nian team-mates and coaches, Konjic recei- implemented in Danish clubs,” Olsen said. ved congratulations and best wishes from the Pia Schou Nielsen French players he played with at AS Monaco: Thierry Henry, Willy Sagnol, Frank Ribery BOSNIA AND and . The spectators also HERZEGOVINA showed their appreciation of Konjic with a standing ovation and applause. He then ENGLAND Muhamed Konjic retires threw his shirts and footballs to the fans. from active play After the match, Thierry Henry gave his shirt Visit to Botswana Muhamed Konjic (born in 1970), to Konjic and wished him all the best for Former England internationals the captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina the future. Paul Gascoigne and Ray Clemence visited national team when they played their first “I feel great. I didn’t expect this Botswana in August as part of an FA official match against Albania 11 years ago support and appreciation at the end of my goodwill mission hosted by the Botswana in Tirana, on 30 November 1995, bowed career, and I’m delighted. I want to thank High Commission.

17 and speakers at educational events FINLAND and that specific women-only meetings should be organised for networking purposes. Women’s football seminar During the next three years, and workshop the FA of Finland is going to develop Fifty women who are involved and implement a strategy for increasing in football in a professional or voluntary the number of women involved in foot- capacity (decision-makers, coaches, ball at both professional and voluntary team leaders, kit managers, club mana- levels. It is important to get more wo- gers, etc.) gathered for a two-day semi- men involved in football, in order to be- nar and workshop in Nokia at the end nefit from the widest possible resources, of August. It was the first “women- views and abilities for developing Fin- only” event to be organised by the Fin- nish football. Women are needed for the nish FA. The goal was to offer women organisation and development of both the possibility to be in the majority for girls’ and women’s football as well as once at a football seminar. boys’ and men’s football. Over the weekend, the parti - Minttu Paavola cipants got to know each other, swap-

THE FA ped experiences and built networks. A sight to gladden Paul Gascoigne’s heart. There were also presentations and dis- cussions on women in sport/football. GERMANY The primary purpose of the visit Special guest was the Swedish girls’ and was to promote The FA’s international women’s football legend Pia Sundhage, who talked about her experience as a Second outreach programme and to demonstrate award ceremony the power of football in raising awareness woman working in different roles in of HIV and AIDS. football. The Fritz Walter Medal awards, Botswana is one of England’s The participants also discussed which were inaugurated in 2005, have three partners in the UEFA-CAF Meridian the challenges which limit the number been presented for the second time, in Project and among the countries hardest of women involved in football. They also connection with the international match hit by AIDS. In 2005 there were an esti- made concrete suggestions for overco- between Germany and Sweden in Gel- mated 270,000 people living with HIV – ming these challenges. For example, senkirchen. The medals, awarded to the around a quarter of the population. Life they suggested every decision-making most promising youth players of the expectancy is less than 40 years and an group should always consist of at least 2005/06 season, were presented by the estimated 120,000 children have lost at 20% men and 20% women and that director of sport of the German Football least one parent to the epidemic. small groups should always have at least Association (DFB) Matthias Sammer and The programme included an two delegates of each sex. There should DFB coach , the winners emotional visit to the Tlokweng SOS Chil- also be joint male/female chairmanship. having been chosen by a panel of repre- dren’s Village near the capital Gaborone. It was also proposed that every girls’ sentatives from the DFB board, youth SOS Children’s Villages is The FA’s interna- and women’s team should have at least committee and coaching staff. With tional charity partner and Tlokweng pro- one woman working with it, that wo- prize money also going to the amateur vides homes for around 200 abandoned men should be involved as instructors clubs which have trained the young or orphaned children of all ages. “It was heart-warming more than it was heart-breaking,” said Paul Gascoigne. “The stories we heard about the children being abandoned or orpha- ned were very sad but the work of The FA, and with the likes of Ray and myself being here, it really seemed to help.” The visit ended with a training session for Botswana’s most promising young footballers at the national stadium, integrating a variety of football games designed to raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. “Football is the world’s most po- pular sport,” explained FA Head of Inter- national Relations, Jane Bateman. “As such, I believe it has an immensely positi- ve role to play in leaving a real social lega- cy in the countries where we work.” “In Botswana, the very future of young people is threatened by HIV; foot- ball has the opportunity to engage their interest and to convey messages which improve their knowledge and help to deal with the problem.” SPL Jane Bateman For once, the women were in the majority at a football seminar!

18 uefadirect 10.06 players, the Fritz Walter Medal is an an- ciation (LFV) is looking forward to the visit nual award of gold, silver and bronze me- of Austria. dals to the best players in the Under-17, Sport is playing an integral part Under-18 and Under-19 age groups for in the events celebrating Liechtenstein’s outstanding performances on the pitch “200 Years of Sovereignty”. Football is an and exceptional conduct off the pitch. important ambassador for the national The medal winners for the identity; in particular, the matches played 2005/06 season are listed below. by Liechtenstein’s national team demons- – Girls - Gold: Anna Blässe (FF USV Jena, trate its sovereignty at home and abroad. year of birth: 1987) - Silver: Nadine Flags and anthems, for example, help to Kessler (1. FC Saarbrücken, 1988) - express it. The Swiss national team there-

Bronze: (FFV Neubran- MLSZ fore came to help us celebrate with a mat- denburg, 1989) Istvan Kisteleki speaks to the safety specialists. ch on 16 August. The friendly with Austria – Boys Year of birth 1989 (Under-17) - on 6 October will provide another tribute Gold: (TSV München 1860) to cross-border friendship. - Silver: Marco Marin (Borussia Mön- “We must ensure order at football Tickets for the match between chengladbach) - Bronze: grounds, and for this we need the coopera- Liechtenstein and Switzerland sold out (TSV München 1860) tion of all sides to be successful,” Kisteleki within half an hour. 4,835 spectators pro- – 1988 (Under-18) - Gold: Sergej Evljus- said. “Apart from being necessary, it’s also vided a fantastic atmosphere and a worthy kin (VfL Wolfsburg) - Silver: Alexander particularly relevant at the moment, as we setting at the Rheinpark Stadium in Vaduz. Eberlein (TSV München 1860) - Bronze: would like to bring EURO 2012 to Hungary They witnessed a match in which – despite José-Alex Ikeng (VfB Stuttgart) and .” the festive mood – the Swiss gave nothing – 1987 (Under-19) - Gold: Kevin-Prince Marton Dinnyes away and played some excellent football. Boateng (Hertha BSC Berlin) - Silver: Nothing could be done to prevent Switzer- Robert Flessers (Borussia Mönchenglad- land’s fifth victory (3-0 with goals from Frei bach) - Bronze: (SpVgg. (2) and Margairaz) in five matches against Greuther Fürth) LATVIA Liechtenstein. Niels Barnhofer Film on history of Latvian football released On the day of Latvia’s first EURO HUNGARY 2008 qualifying match, the Latvian national television station LTV1 showed the new film Security committee on the history of Latvian football and its rise The Hungarian Football Federa- to its present level. The film has been pro- tion (MLSZ) has established a security duced by the Latvian Football Federation committee to tackle discrimination and (LFF) and will be released on DVD. trouble in football stadiums. The federa- In other news, Latvian international tion’s president, Istvan Kisteleki, invited striker Maris Verpakovskis, who plays for police chiefs, the leaders of the biggest Dynamo Kiev, has been announced as a fan groups ( Honvéd, Diosgyöri FIFA goodwill ambassador for SOS Chil- LFV dren’s Villages and recently opened the first VTK, Debreceni VSC, Ferencvaros and Switzerland weren’t giving anything away. Ujpest FC), the heads of the security ste- SOS home in Jelgava, where nine orphans ward companies and experts from the can now live in a new, renovated house MLSZ administration to be part of the with a nice garden. For five Liechtenstein players in new body. Finally, during the summer, a foot- particular, the match marked a double cele- The aim of the new committee is ball festival took place in the seaside resort bration. Mario Frick and Martin Telser were create a forum in which the different par- of Salacgriva, where young people in four winning their 60th caps for the national ties can cooperate effectively to prevent age groups from all of Latvia’s football clubs team, Ronny Büchel his 40th, and Franz all forms of discrimination in football sta- competed. The attendance of so many pa- Burgmeier and Fabio D’Elia their 30th. After diums. It will also propose amendments to rents was especially encouraging. The LFF the game, an official gathering of guests the MLSZ stadium and pitch regulations. has promised that children’s football will be from Liechtenstein and Switzerland was In one of its first decisions, the promoted next year through small tourna- held at the Vaduz Hofkellerei. committee adopted a new rule, whereby ments organised by private organisations or Judith Frommelt only banners and flags approved by the businesses. competent football association and police Martins Hartmanis authority as clearly having no political or provocative message can be taken into FYR football grounds. MACEDONIA At the same time, the board of LIECHTENSTEIN the federation, headed by Istvan Kisteleki, 15 years on warned the Hungarian clubs that, follo- At the ceremony organised by the wing FIFA’s lead, there would be zero tole- Cross-border friendship Football Federation of Macedonia at the rance of discriminatory behaviour at foot- Liechtenstein is celebrating – and Aleksandar Palace hotel in Skopje, Darko ball grounds. Offending clubs risk any- so is its football. The friendly match bet- Pancev, the best scorer in Europe in thing from a three-point deduction for a ween the national teams of Switzerland and 1990/91 and a legend in Macedonian foot- first offence to relegation to a lower Liechtenstein was a great success in all res- ball, finally received the Golden Boot awar- division. pects. Now the Liechtenstein Football Asso- ded to him 15 years ago. The award, made

19 by the France Football sports paper, was for his long runs and dribbles. Faas presented to the former player of Vardar, (his given name was Servaas) started , , Leipzig, playing football for Rotter- Fortuna Dusseldorf and Sion by the one of dam club Xerxes. In 1949 the world’s greatest players, Michel Platini, he was only the third Dutch a member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive player to move abroad. Committees, who visited our country es- Internazionale was the club pecially for this event at the invitation of that signed him. Soon he the president of the federation, Haralam- received the nickname Il pie Hadzi-Risteski. Tuilipano. After three years KNVB The ceremony was honoured by he moved to and in 1953 he the presence of the president of Red Star changed Italy for Spain when he joined Belgrade, Dragan Stojkovic-Piksi, and the Valencia, where he played for three editor-in-chief of the French newspaper years. In those days Wilkes was one of L’Equipe, Jean-Philippe Leclaire, as well as the famous foreign names in Spanish a number of guests from political, reli- MFA football together with Di Stefano and gious, sport and cultural/entertainment Kubala. circles. Malta FA president Joseph Mifsud speaks His professional years abroad to the referees. prevented a long career in the Dutch national team since professional football sive pre-season seminar held under the was not introduced in the Netherlands auspices of UEFA in which various topics until 1954 and as a non-amateur Wilkes on the Laws of the Game and updated was not considered eligible by the KNVB. instructions for match officials are covered Thus he missed out on seven years of by a lecturer of repute. international football. In his 38 matches This year it was the turn of Faas Wilkes managed to score an incre- Keith Hackett, a UEFA referee instructor, dible tally of 35 goals. Darco Pancev to conduct the three-day seminar, which has always said that Faas Wilkes was

FSM dealt with several aspects of refereeing. his great role model when he was a Apart from the amendments to youngster. “I would like another player the Laws of the Game 2006, the other In 1999, at the age of 76, from our country to get this award,” said main topics dealt with the management Wilkes made a final – though very brief – Macedonia’s player of the century. “This is of the free-kick (under the title of match appearance in a team that was called an honour not only for me but also for the control), determining offside, pre-match “the Oranje of the century”. Wilkes was whole country. I sincerely hope that it will talk, positioning for proper reading of the knighted by the KNVB in 1964. He died motivate current and future generations game and the relationship between refe- of heart failure at the age of 82 in his to be the best, just as we have done our rees and coaches. birthplace, Rotterdam. best to achieve this.” The activity, held at the national Ten days later, the KNVB recei- “One year ago, my friend Dragan stadium complex, was well attended, by ved the sad news of the demise of John (Stojkovic) called me and asked me to try referees and assistant referees, including Blankenstein. He had to find the boot,” Platini said. “It is very women officials, with the themes tho- been suffering from a difficult for me as a Frenchman and for- roughly delved into and the participants rare kidney disease. mer Juventus player to present the Golden taking an active part in the workshops and Blankenstein was a well- Boot to the man who defeated Olympique plenary sessions. known international refe- de Marseille (in the final of the European Such seminars are very impor - ree He started his career Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1991) and played tant in helping Maltese referees keep in non-professional foot- for Inter Milan in the Italian Calcio,” he abreast of new developments in control- KNVB ball at the age of 23. laughed. ling the game, and this in the all-impor- He admitted that he was never a great “Brazil have Pele, France Platini, tant context of uniformity. player himself and that was his main rea- Serbia Pixie, and we have Pancev,” said Judging by the standard of refe- son for changing careers. In 1979 he Haralampie Hadzi-Risteski, who entrusted reeing in Malta, whose referees perform in became a professional referee and conti- Michel Platini a year ago with the task of peculiar circumstances due to the small- nued to serve in that capacity until his trying to bring the award to the still popu- ness of the island, the officials are clearly age forced him to retire in 1996. In bet- lar “Cobra”, Pancev’s nickname. doing a good job. ween, he officiated at 502 matches at Zoran Nikolovski Alex Vella top level in the Netherlands. He had his own remarkable style, being able to snap at players who did not agree with his decisions. When a player once remarked that he was no good at all, Blankenstein MALTA NETHERLANDS replied: “They must have sent me to the right match then, since none of you are Annual referees’ seminar Two great names pass away very good either”. The technical preparation of refe- The Dutch FA (KNVB) lost two Internationally, John Blanken- rees and assistant referees is an ongoing great names within a period of ten days. stein took charge of 88 matches, one process which demands continuous mee- Faas Wilkes died on 15 August in of them being the second leg of the tings, instructional sessions and seminars Rotterdam. He was the greatest player of 1992/93 UEFA Cup final between Juven- throughout the year. the first generation of professional players. tus and . He represen- An annual activity organised by He was a stylish forward who could decide ted the KNVB as a referee at EURO 1992 the Malta FA Referees Board is an inten - a match single-handed. He was famous in Sweden as well.

20 uefadirect 10.06 When he retired from active tegral part of the IFA’s Football For All gramme over recent weeks led by the refereeing, he joined the KNVB as head of Programme. FAI’s Chief Executive, John Delaney, and the referees’ department. For the last few Michael Boyd the chairman of the eircom league, years, he had been working on the refe- Paddy McCaul. reeing master plan, scouting and training Commenting on the clubs’ accep- talented young referees. tance, John Delaney said he was deligh- He died on 25 August and REPUBLIC ted. “I strongly believe this vote will bring was buried in The Hague on 31 August. the league to a whole new level, not over- He was only 57. OF IRELAND night, but within three years we should Rob de Leede Women’s development plan have a fundamentally changed and impro- launched ved senior domestic league.” Fran Whearty Recently, John O’Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, official- NORTHERN ly launched the ‘Women’s Development IRELAND Plan’ on behalf of of Ireland (FAI) and the Women’s Football Football for All Pan-Disability Association of Ireland (WFAI). Fun Week The plan was devised using the With support from UEFA, the EU results of an extensive study and stakehol- Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, der consultation for the FAI’s technical de- Castlereagh Borough Council, Mulholland velopment plan. It is designed to increase and Docherty, Sports Council Northern Ire- the number of female participants, inclu- land and the Northern Ireland Community ding coaches, referees and administrators, Relations Council, the Irish Football Asso- for the development of female players un- ciation (IFA) launched its third annual free der the leadership of the FAI/WFAI from “Football For All Pan- Disability Fun Week” 2006 to 2010. As with the FAI’s technical

development plan, it has been developed FAI with a firm player-centred approach and A plan to increase the number of women focuses on the four major stages of a in football. player’s development, as follows. ■ Stage 1: Introduction to Football ■ Stage 2: Club/League Programme ■ Stage 3: Emerging Talent SCOTLAND ■ Stage 4: International This plan sets out measurable activities and targets which will drive the Numerous appointments achievement of specific objectives in each The Scottish FA has made a of these programmes. The implementation number of senior appointments which of the plan will be driven by the women’s will have a positive impact on the future development unit of the FAI technical de- development of the game in Scotland. partment. Archie Knox has been appoin- ted to the full-time position of national ■ Last month, the FAI were coach for Scotland’s youth teams. The

IFA delighted to host the Cerebral Palsy Euro- most high-profile element of this new pean Championships, which were held post is the management of the Scotland Football really should be for everyone. at University College Dublin. An added Under-21 team, but it also includes incentive for this competition was that a overall managerial responsibility for for young people between the ages of top-three finish guaranteed teams a place taking forward all of the men’s national eight and 17 at Belvoir Activity Centre in in the 2007 Beijing Paralympics. Reigning age group teams, through to Under-21 South Belfast on Monday 28 August. world and European champions Ukraine level. This fun week provides an op- retained their title as they stylishly over- He reports to Walter Smith, the portunity for young people with disa- came Russia in the final by 5-2. In the national coach, with whom he has had bilities to enjoy the sport of football in third-place play-off, the Netherlands over- a long and successful working relation- a safe, fun and inclusive atmosphere. came the Republic of Ireland to win 2-1 ship, dating back to their playing days. Youngsters with cerebral palsy, wheel- and secure their passage to the Beijing Jim Fleeting has been promo- chair users, young people with Downs Paralympics next year. ted to Director of Football Development, syndrome and those with learning disabi- following the departure of Jim Sinclair lities all get the opportunity to play foot- ■ The eircom league clubs have to take up a similar post at Rangers FC. ball together throughout the week in a voted to merge with the FAI and accept Another to leave the Scottish FA for fun environment. The participants who fundamental changes to the league’s Rangers was Tommy Wilson, but he will so wish then have the opportunity to get structural, competition and governance remain in charge of the Scotland Under- involved in the various IFA Disability Foot- areas. Subject to ratification at an FAI EGM 20 squad in next summer’s FIFA Under- ball For All initiatives. For example, six in September, the new four-tier eircom 20 World Cup in Canada. players from the current Northern Ireland league will now be run by the FAI from the David Kells has become Group Cerebral Palsy team took part in the first 2007 season. Commercial Director, a post he will com- free Football For All Pan-Disability Fun The league clubs voted to over - bine with his previous role as Managing Week back in 2004. Providing such op- haul all aspects of its operations following Director of , the national portunities for young footballers is an in- a consultative and communications pro- stadium.

21 Finally, former referee Hugh Dal- Gdansk beat Karpaty Lviv 1-0 in the final las has been recruited as Referee Deve- in Ukraine. The finalists enjoyed active lopment Officer, where he will have a key support at the Victor Bannikov training role in developing Scotland’s refereeing centre, with the Ukrainian and Polish talent. fans competing to sing the loudest. Hugh is regarded as one of the Twelve teams of players who finest referees ever produced by Scotland, could well have progressed to the senior and officiated at World Cup and Euro- national team by 2012 took part in the pean Championship final tournaments. tournament. All the teams, as well as He became the first Scottish referee for the best players, received prizes. Excur- many years to play a role in a World Cup sions were also organised and an official final, when he was appointed fourth offi- reception was held at the Kiev city hall. cial for the 2002 final. He retired from “All the teams enjoyed top active refereeing two years ago. conditions and had the opportunity to

Andy Mitchell prove themselves on the pitch,” said FAW Ivan Fedorenko, head of the Ukrainian EURO 2012 bid committee. “As poten- Dominic White (left) and Alun Evans sign tial EURO 2012 participants, these boys the sponsoring agreement with Premier have time to develop. This tournament League secretary John Deakin looking on. UKRAINE is over but the main competition, EURO 2012, is still to come.” quickly followed by the news that Mitre A new generation Valeriy Nykonenko would be the league’s ball sponsor and The second edition of the supplier during the same period. “Generation 2012” international youth At the launch of the Principali- tour nament took place in Kiev from 8 to ty Building Society Welsh Premier Foot- 13 August. It was organised jointly by the WALES ball League, which was held at the Gol Ukrainian and Polish football associations five-a-side football centre and sports as an important part of their EURO 2012 hall in Cardiff, the agreement was wel- bid preparations. The idea to organise a New sponsor comed by both League Chairman Alun joint youth tournament occurred to the Prior to the start of the new Evans and the Principality Building members of both bid planning commit- Welsh premier league season on 19 Society’s head of marketing, Dominic tees at one of their meetings. The project August, it was announced that one of White. One of the first results of the is being realised with the assistance of the Wales’ leading financial institutions, deal saw Bangor City player-manager cities where EURO 2012 matches would the Principality Building Society, would Clayton Blackmore open the new Prin- be staged. Last year, Dynamo Kiev won sponsor the nation’s top competition for cipality Building Society branch at Mold the first trophy in Krakow. This summer, the next three seasons This news was in North Wales. Former Manchester United star Blackmore was capped 39 times by Wales and is still playing regu- larly at the age of 42. In a further significant deve- lopment for the national league, the Football Association of Wales council recently approved the introduction of a domestic licensing system from 2007/08, with a view to extending this to the feeder leagues in future years. The criteria in the new domestic manual mirrors much of that in the UEFA manual and is designed to raise overall standards in the 17-club national league and all will have to meet the criteria to play in the Welsh premier league from 2010/11. The league also launched its new website (www.welshpremier.com) on 1 September, which is a vast impro- vement on the existing site. It contains statistics on every goal-scorer, league table, referee and attendance figures for every single match ever played in the league since its introduction in 1992. There are also player profiles for every current player, referee profiles and even podcasts which can be downloaded to hear interviews and discussions. These all further improve the extensive and developing profile of the Principality FFU Welsh Premier League. A tournament connected with the bid to host EURO 2012. Andrew Howard

22 uefadirect 10.06 UEFA

Notices

■ On 28 July, the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina elected Milan Communications Jelic as its new president. Birthdays – Calendar ■ On 8 August, Peter Rees was elected president of the FA of Wales. ■ The executive committee of the Bulga- rian FA has appointed Borislav Popov as Birthdays ● Dragutin Karlo Poljak (Croatia, 23.10) the association’s new general secretary. ● Pekka Hämäläinen (Finland, 25.10) ● Leonard Nokes (Wales), member of the Hugh Dallas (Scotland, 26.10) th ● Perry Gautier (Belgium, 26.10) Obituaries Football Turf Experts Panel, celebrates his 50 ● birthday on 10 October. Frans Hoek (Nether- Javier Lozano Cid (Spain, 28.10) ● ■ Lucien Schmidlin, honorary member lands), technical instructor, joins him at the Rui Cacador (Portugal, 29.10) ● Bertus van Gostveen (Netherlands, 30.10) of UEFA since the 1984 UEFA Congress in half-century mark on 17 October, followed by ● Antonin Herzog (Czech Republic), futsal dele- José Luis Astiazaran Iriondo (Spain, 31.10) Paris, passed away on 27 August, a few gate, on the 24th. days before his 88th birthday. A former UEFA also wishes many happy returns in October to: Upcoming events ● Trevor Brooking (England, 2.10) ● Levent Bicakci (Turkey, 2.10) Meetings ● Andrzej Wach (Poland, 2.10) 2.10.2006, Nyon ● David Richards (England, 3.10) ● Léon Schelings (Belgium, 3.10) Club Competitions Committee ● Wilfried Heitmann (Germany, 4.10) Draw for the European Futsal Championship ● Silvo Borosak (Slovenia, 4.10) qualifying phase ● Khennet Tallinger (Sweden, 4.10) 3.10.2006, Nyon ● Frank Coulston (Scotland, 5.10) Draw for the UEFA Cup group matches UEFA ● Kaare Inge Lindboe (Norway, 6.10) ● Graham Mackrell (England, 6.10) 4-5.10.2006, Ljubljana chairman of FC Basel, Lucien Schmidlin ● Angelo Carlos Brou (Portugal, 7.10) Executive Committee played an active role in Swiss football and ● Armand Duka (Albania, 7.10) 9.10.2006, Nyon joined UEFA as a member of the commit- ● Jari Maisonlahti (Finland, 7.10) Draw for the 2007-09 European Women’s tee for non-amateur and professional ● Pierre Delaunay (France, 9.10) Championship preliminary round football in 1968. He then sat on various ● Sergey Zuev (Russia, 9.10) committees before being elected to the ● Ellert B. Schram (Iceland, 10.10) 12.10.2006, Nyon ● Milovan Nikolic (Slovenia, 10.10) Futsal Committee Executive Committee in 1973. In 1978, he became UEFA’s treasurer, a position ● David Petriashvili (Georgia, 10.10) 23-27.10.2006, Coverciano ● he held until 1984. Joan Gaspart (Spain, 11.10) UEFA course for coach educators ● Frits Kessel (Netherlands, 12.10) ■ Claus Rode, head of the Danish football ● Bo Karlsson (Sweden, 12.10) 25-26.10.2006, Nyon ● Willy Goovaerts (Belgium, 13.10) Meeting of general secretaries league for 17 years, died on 28 August ● Jean-Pierre Morlans (France, 13.10) of member associations aged 56. From 2000 to 2006, he served on ● UEFA’s Professional Football Committee George Brian Smith (Scotland, 14.10) 31.10.2006, Nyon ● and was also involved in working groups Tom van der Hulst (Netherlands, 15.10) Draw for UEFA Futsal Cup elite round ● Michel Piraux (Belgium, 15.10) relating to professional football. ● David Blood (Republic of Ireland, 16.10) ■ ● John Delaney (Republic of Ireland, 16.10) Competitions Giacinto Facchetti, two-times winner ● Jean-Marie Philips (Belgium, 17.10) 10-16.10.2006 of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup with ● René Hüssy (Switzerland, 19.10) UEFA Futsal Cup: main round FC Internazionale and, at international ● Christian Müller (Germany, 19.10) level, European champion and World Cup ● Imre Bozóky (Hungary, 20.10) 17-18.10.2006 runner-up with Italy, died on 4 September UEFA Champions League: group matches ● Ramiz Mirzayev (Azerbaijan, 20.10) at the age of 64. After hanging up his ● (match day 3) Joseph Bertram Worrall (England, 21.10) boots, he remained with Inter in a man- ● Paul Philipp (Luxembourg, 21.10) 19.10.2006 agement capacity and had been the club’s ● Philip Pritchard (Wales, 22.10) UEFA Cup: group matches (match day 1) ● Arie Wolf (Israel, 22.10) chairman since 2004. He was a former ● Mircea Sandu (Romania, 22.10) 31.10.2006 member of UEFA’s Fair Play Committee and ● Jan C. Huijbregts (Netherlands, 23.10) UEFA Champions League: group matches at the time of his death was still a member ● (France, 23.10) (match day 4) of the Technical Development Committee.

WE CARE ABOUT FOOTBALL Editor André Vieli The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the Produced by Atema Communication SA, CH-1196 Gland official views of UEFA. Official publication of the The reproduction of articles Union des associations or extracts of any information européennes de football Printed by Cavin SA, CH-1422 Grandson published in uefadirect is authorised, provided the Communications and Public Affairs Division Editorial deadline: 8 September 2006 source is indicated. UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Switzerland Phone +41 848 00 27 27 Fax +41 848 01 27 27 .com