UEFA Gala in Monaco Fifty Years of the Champions' Competition
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10.04 Including UEFA gala in Monaco 03 Fifty years of the champions’ competition 06 Valencia win the UEFA Super Cup 09 Elections at the European Club Forum 12 No. 30 – October 2004 No. 30 – October COVER IN THIS ISSUE New UEFA Cup logo 08 Di Vaio gets in front Valencia win the UEFA Super Cup 09 of Jorge Costa in the UEFA Prizes awarded at the Seminars for referees and assistant referees 10 Super Cup match UEFA gala in Monaco 03 Plenary meeting of the European Club Forum 12 between Valencia Report from Brussels 13 and FC Porto in Monaco. UEFA Champions League PHOTO: RICHIARDI calendar 07 News from member associations 16 MovingEditorial with the times As the flagship UEFA club competition enters its fiftieth season, it is a good time to reflect on the incredible course that it has taken since it was introduced. But I am not going to recall here the exploits that have shaped the history of the UEFA Champion Clubs’ Cup and UEFA Champions League, from the domination of Real Madrid in the early years, up to the victory of FC Porto last season, with periods of Italian, German, Dutch and English supremacy in between. Nor am I going to recall the unforgettable moments, such as the sensational reversal of fortunes in the 1999 final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, or the dark hours that could have led to the demise of the competition. What I want to talk about is the impact of the UEFA competitions and the demands that they place on the organisers, UEFA. Fifty years ago, only the sporting aspect mattered, and it was thanks to the enthusiasm that existed for the game that the Champion Clubs’ Cup saw the light of day and took off, bringing the Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup along in the wake of its success not long after. The popularity of these competitions made them a social phenomenon, and the increasing importance of economic interests in society soon made itself felt in the world of football. Nowadays, sporting interest alone is not enough to ensure the success of a competition. It also has to be economi- cally sound, so that the participating clubs can get something out of it. The organisers therefore have to be prepared to be flexible, to adapt their competitions to new conditions. But they also have to take care to preserve the tradition on which the aura of the competitions rests. As a result, UEFA faces the almost constant challenge of making efficient changes to its competitions that do not, however, alter them beyond recognition. This is what we did last season in the UEFA Champions League, when we abolished the second group stage. It has proved to be a judicious decision. This season, after wide consultation with all interested parties concerned, it is the turn of the UEFA Cup to take on a new look, with the introduction of group matches. Let us hope that this facelift will be equally successful! Lars-Christer Olsson Chief Executive EMPICS we care about football 02 uefadirect 10.04 Gala in Monaco AwardsAwards timetime A relaxed atmosphere at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. UEFA-BOZZANI THE FOOTBALL WORLD REVOLVES AT A FRANTIC PACE AS TENSION-FILLED MATCHES named best midfielder, an award AND COMPETITIONS FOLLOW ONE AFTER THE OTHER... presented by Lothar Matthäus, former German captain and current ...which is why the annual club picked up four of the five player coach of the Hungarian national UEFA gala is so popular: it offers awards, an unprecedented feat in the team. Deco also won the award for a few hours of relaxation in the gala’s six-year history! most valuable player, a prize which pleasant surroundings of Monaco – Vitor Baia was named best was presented to him by UEFA and a chance to talk and pay tribute goalkeeper. His prize was presented Executive Committee member Michel to some of the best players of the by former Danish national goalkeeper Platini. previous season as well as those Peter Schmeichel. The only award that did who have helped to promote football – The award for the best not end up in the hands of an off the pitch. defender went to Ricardo Carvalho, FC Porto player was presented to On 26 August, the award who has now left Porto for Chelsea. Spaniard Fernando Morientes, ceremony for the 2003/04 club sea- The Portuguese defender was unable the top scorer in last season’s son featured in particular the players to collect his award in Monaco from UEFA Champions League with of FC Porto, winners of the Cham- 1998 World Cup winner Marcel Desailly. AS Monaco and now back with pions League in May following their – Another FC Porto player, now Real Madrid. His prize as best for- victory over AS Monaco in the final on the books of FC Barcelona, Deco, ward was presented by Prince in Gelsenkirchen. The Portuguese received two awards: firstly, he was Albert of Monaco. 03 The gala Michel Platini hall. and Deco. FC Porto were also hon- to individuals, highlighted again the Sport oured at the start of the evening, importance of the team. for all when they were presented with a replica of the UEFA Champions President’s Award Although it makes sense that League trophy. Valencia received a In accordance with tradition, most of the money brought in replica of the UEFA Cup, AC Milan UEFA President Lennart Johansson by professional football should a replica of the UEFA Super Cup and paid special tribute to someone find its way back to the teams that Greece a replica of the European who had made a particularly impor- Championship trophy. Although the tant contribution on or off the pitch. main emphasis of the evening Following in the footsteps of was on club football, EURO 2004 Jacques Delors, Guy Roux, Juan San- also featured, with Theodoros tisteban, Sir Bobby Robson and Paolo Zagorakis named player of the tour- Maldini, Ernest Walker received nament by UEFA’s Technical Study this year’s UEFA President’s Award. Group, an award presented in Former General Secretary of the Monaco by former French interna- Scottish Football Association, “Ernie” tional Didier Deschamps, now coach Walker served UEFA for a quarter of AS Monaco. Otto Rehhagel, the of a century, particularly carving Greek coach, was also honoured out a reputation as a leading expert and, on an evening largely devoted in stadium safety and security. make the competitions successful, UEFA’s role is to ensure that the game as a whole benefits from this income and that part of it also goes to charitable bodies linked in some way to football. As part of this task, UEFA presents a cheque for CHF 1 million to such an insti- tution every year. This year, former Italian international defender Giacinto Facchetti received a cheque for CHF 1 million from UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson on behalf of INAS-FID. Founded in 1986, this organisation aims to encourage and help people with intellectual disabilities to practise a sport. Operational in 87 coun- tries, it works hand in hand with Special Olympics, which UEFA has been supporting for several years. Lennart Johansson and Ernest Walker. 04 uefadirect 10.04 Prince Gilberto Madaíl, Albert President of Monaco of the Portuguese FA, presents receives his Fernando country’s award Morientes from the with UEFA President. his award. “The Magnificent Seven” The gathering in Monaco also provides a chance to remind the world of elite football that its success depends hugely on the dedication of countless individuals who, at all levels, devote a large amount of their time to football, often without being paid. This year, seven people were again chosen to represent all of these people who work so hard behind the scenes. Tributes were paid to them not during the gala evening in Monaco, but on the pitch at the Stade Louis II before the Super Cup kicked off. The “Magnificent Seven” who were honoured this year were: ■ Hans Friis (Denmark), founder of the club Strandens Boldklub in 1950. As player, coach, treasurer and chairman, he has devoted his life to the club and remains an active supporter. ■ Franco Iacopino (Italy), faithful servant of Reggina Calcio for 40 years, firstly in charge of youth football and then as secretary. ■ Marjory Nimmo (Scotland), founder of the Scottish supporters’ club, which currently has almost 16,000 members who follow the Scottish team abroad. ■ Leslie Olive (England), on the staff of Manchester United for more than 60 years as player and then secretary. He has also acted as an ambassador for grassroots football in the Manchester area. ■ Willem Schoevaart (Netherlands), member of AFC Ajax for almost 75 years. Named honorary member of the club in recognition of He played a leading role in the his numerous contributions in various fields, he is also the official construction of the stadiums for club archivist. EURO 2004 in Portugal. ■ João Silva (Portugal), physiotherapist for the Portuguese Portugal itself also received Football Association at 545 international matches over a period of 35 years. an award from the UEFA President He is still involved with the youth team at his club, Os Belenenses. in recognition not only of the vast ■ Jean Van Hauwermeiren (Belgium), player until the age of 52, stadium construction and renovation then a volunteer serving RSC Anderlecht and the Belgian national team. A keen photographer, he also owns an impressive collection of football- work carried out, but also of the related photographs. warm, festive atmosphere created by the Portuguese people throughout the championship. The Monaco gala also included the award of the UEFA Order of Merit in Emerald to Jacques Ferran, who had been unable to collect this award in Cyprus.