Report of the President and Executive Committee Report of the Administration 2015/16 41st Ordinary UEFA Congress Helsinki, 5 April 2017 CONTENTS I. Report of the President and Executive Committee 2 Committee Reports 23 II. Report of the UEFA Administration 45 Getty Images I. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1 July 2015 - 10 July 2016 1 SummarY EFA and its Executive Committee process and a fair trial. After the CAS the Executive Committee considered it U have been through a challenging verdict and Mr Platini’s announcement essential to act in a calm and year requiring careful management to that he intended to step down, the pragmatic manner, so that the work ensure stability and continuity. The Executive Committee set procedures in undertaken by UEFA on behalf of committee and the organisation motion for an Extraordinary UEFA European football should not be reacted to a series of difficult events Congress in Athens in September 2016, affected to any great extent. with fortitude and a strong desire not where a new UEFA president would be to be diverted from the core mission of elected. In the meantime, UEFA’s first UEFA held an Ordinary Congress in European football’s parent body to vice-president Ángel María Villar Llona Budapest in May 2016, after an promote, protect and nurture the assumed the presidency on an acting Extraordinary Congress in Zurich in game on this continent. basis. February 2016, with a second Extraordinary Congress scheduled for The reporting period was marked by At the same time, a significant change September 2016, in Athens. the case involving the UEFA president, took place at the helm of UEFA’s Michel Platini, which culminated in administration. Gianni Infantino, UEFA The European organisation’s aim him receiving a four-year suspension general secretary since 2009, was remained one of fostering dialogue, from all football-related activities from elected as the ninth FIFA president at cooperation and consultation with its the Court of Arbitration for Sport the world football body’s 55 member associations – Kosovo (CAS) in May 2016. Following an initial Extraordinary Congress in Zurich in joined the UEFA football family at the 90-day provisional suspension handed February 2016. His candidature had Budapest Congress – and the game’s down by the FIFA Ethics Committee in received the full backing of the UEFA stakeholders. The objective is three- October 2015, subsequently upheld by Executive Committee, which said upon fold – to develop and protect football, CAS following an appeal, Mr Platini his election that it looked forward to maintain high levels of openness and was suspended for eight years by the working closely with him to promote, transparency, and to safeguard values Ethics Committee in December 2015. protect and develop football around which are crucial for football’s good This suspension was reduced to six the world. In his place, the Executive health. years by the FIFA Appeal Committee in Committee appointed UEFA’s deputy February 2016. Following the final CAS general secretary and national The on-field highlight of the period verdict almost three months later, associations director Theodore under review was UEFA EURO 2016 in Mr Platini announced his intention to Theodoridis as general secretary ad France, a spectacular tournament and resign as UEFA president. interim in March 2016. On assuming the first to feature 24 teams. The the role, Mr Theodoridis said he hoped Executive Committee’s decision in The Executive Committee took note for progress and solidarity in the 2008 to increase the EURO final-round of the various stages of the case, and relationship between UEFA, FIFA and field for the 2016 tournament proved called for rapid final decisions by the the rest of the football world. to be fully justified and underlined relevant bodies in the interests of UEFA’s commitment to promoting and justice and football. The committee Amid the various events that took developing national team football. supported Mr Platini’s right to a due place during the period under review, The Executive Committee’s decision in 2008 to increase the EURO final-round field for the 2016 tournament proved to be fully justified and underlined UEFA’s commitment to promoting and developing national team football 2 Getty Images Alongside EURO 2016, UEFA’s other The Executive Committee has striven of far-sighted decisions, but also competitions also offered a wealth of to give momentum to UEFA’s policies through regular consultation and exciting matches, memorable goals and and visions across multiple platforms, dialogue with political, economic, outstanding individual performances. including financial fair play, the fight social and sporting stakeholders. The The European club and national team against match-fixing, and efforts to new presidential era which began competitions will continue to be eliminate racism and discrimination beyond this reporting period will seek constantly assessed and adjusted, to from football. It is noted with pride to marry past achievements with a firm ensure their longevity and popularity. that relations with the 55 member will to embrace further evolution in associations remain strong and solid, the future – with, as always, football UEFA’s wish that more women should and that the bond with European clubs and its interests taking priority. occupy senior decision-making roles in has been strengthened for the years to football was emphasised during the come. It is equally heartening to note reporting period when Florence that the European political authorities, Hardouin, chief executive of the with whom UEFA is in constant French Football Federation (FFF), dialogue, support many of UEFA’s became the first female member of visions and measures in important the Executive Committee to be elected areas. by a UEFA Congress at the assembly in Budapest. Her term of office runs The Executive Committee is fully aware until 2019. of its essential role in making sure that UEFA keeps pace with the times in European football, not only as a result REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2015/16 3 COMPETITIONS National team competitions he 15th UEFA European Football The final-round field was increased, preparations were made by UEFA and T Championship final round, UEFA among other things to give more its organising partner, EURO 2016 SAS, EURO 2016, took centre stage in France countries the opportunity to take part in the run-up to the tournament. The between 10 June and 10 July 2016. Ten in a major tournament, and the stadiums were constructed or reno- venues – Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, qualifying competition bore testament vated to the highest quality standards, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, to the strength of football across and the host cities and communities Saint-Etienne and Toulouse – staged Europe. The European Qualifiers were across France were ready to welcome the 51 matches required by the watched by more fans than ever hundreds of thousands of visitors from increased 24-team field. before, thanks to the new Week of across Europe and beyond. Security Football concept, which saw matches matters were a pivotal issue in the Ahead of the final tournament, the spread over six-day international light of recent distressing events, and qualifying competition produced a matchweeks. This fresh approach cooperation with the French authorities number of positive surprises, with five bolstered UEFA’s vision of enhancing turned out to be excellent. As far as countries qualifying for their first-ever the exposure, appeal and quality of spectator behaviour was concerned, EURO – Albania, Iceland, Northern European national team football. the Executive Committee’s stern Ireland, Slovakia and Wales. As for the final round itself, meticulous warning after early incidents that 4 Getty Images teams whose supporters were involved with just over 11.2 million requests Preparations will now accelerate for in disorder could face disqualification made for tickets to see the games. The UEFA EURO 2020, to be staged in 13 ultimately had a positive effect. ten fan zones in France attracted cities across the continent to celebrate around 3.6 million people to savour the championship’s 60th anniversary. The tournament proved outstanding the EURO atmosphere, and the Alongside this, the new UEFA Nations on many fronts over a memorable innovative work of more than 130 League, due to start in September month. Portugal won their first-ever broadcast partners contributed to a 2018, is drawing ever closer and EURO, overcoming France after extra cumulative live TV audience of more preparatory work is in full swing. The time in a tightly contested final at the than 6 billion viewers, with over 300 Executive Committee is confident that Stade de France, bringing the curtain million watching the final alone. There the wishes of the European national down on an unforgettable event were a record 300 million visits to associations to see national team which was a fantastic public success, UEFA’s digital platforms during the football further developed for the notable for the festive atmosphere tournament, four times more than for long term are being met. generated by fans inside and outside EURO 2012. No less than 153 million the stadiums. Over 2.4 million people visited the official tournament In women’s national team football, spectators watched the 51 matches, website, EURO2016.com, with over 444 the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 million page views. The official EURO qualifying competition reached its app generated 10.7 million downloads closing stages, and preparations overall, while UEFA’s Facebook, Twitter remained on course for the final round and Instagram accounts grew by more in the Netherlands in July and August than 15 million people. 2017 – the first with 16 teams, giving more women players invaluable A total of 6,500 volunteers provided experience on the highest inter- dedicated and outstanding services, national stage.