UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:53 Page 1 3.08 UEFA Congress in Zagreb 03 Creation of the European Club Association 08 A milestone for KISS 11 Referees In Cyprus 12 No 71 – March 2008 No 58 – Février 2007 71 March UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 2 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president Refound confidence Nothing can be built on false pretences. Half truths and ambiguous words are too shaky a basis on which to construct anything that is supposed to last. For many years, relations between the professional clubs and football’s governing bodies were stagnating in murky water in Europe. On the one hand, the clubs had a role – sometimes an important one – in UEFA bodies. At the same time, those same clubs, which belonged to an exclusive grouping, were quick not only to criticise the international football bodies, but even to take them to court. On the other hand, on the side of the game’s authorities, the principles of the statutes and respect for them, coupled with a vague legal environment, meant denying the obvious and not seizing the problem head on. On the positive side, however, the doors to dialogue always remained open. Gradually, thanks in particular to bodies like the European Club Forum and the Professional Football Strategy Council, intransigence gave way to a desire and deter- IN THIS ISSUE mination to find a compromise. Since certain aspects of the problem went beyond UEFA’s scope, FIFA joined forces with the advocates of dialogue and reconciliation. XXXII UEFA Congress January saw a historic turning point, as well as a logical development, in in Zagreb 03 relations between the football authorities and the clubs – no more wranglings in the Creation of the European civil courts and no more exclusive groupings, but a new European Club Association Club Association 08 which is open and transparent, and, above all, renewed confidence between football’s leaders and one of the game’s principal stakeholders, the clubs. A milestone for the KISS programme 11 And when the confidence is there, all sides know when doubts arise or when opinions differ that they can count on the understanding of the other to remove European referees in Cyprus 12 those doubts and to find mutually acceptable solutions – no more need for controversy via the media, and no more need for lawsuits. Support for EURO 2012 14 Confidence is a major and indispensable part of the unity of the European News from member football family. associations 16 COVER Michel Platini UEFA President The EURO 2008 finalists started preparing in February with a series of friendly matches, including Turkey v Sweden. Photo: Ozer/AFP/Getty Images 02 uefadirect 3.08 UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 3 XXXII UEFA Congress in Zagreb Keeping the associations informed UEFA-pjwoods.ch ZAGREB, THE CAPITAL OF CROATIA, WAS THE VENUE FOR THE XXXII UEFA And he has a clear goal on the hori- zon: “My vision in this respect is clear. CONGRESS ON 31 JANUARY. AS A LOT HAD HAPPENED SINCE HE WAS ELECTED It envisages, in the medium term, UEFA PRESIDENT A YEAR AGO, MICHEL PLATINI DECIDED THAT THE CONGRESS the signature of a European football charter which defines the rights and WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT ON SOME IMPORTANT TOPICS. duties of everyone, while respecting the statutes in force, of course.” In his own address, Michel randum of understanding with the Platini gave a wide overview of the European Club Association – to men- Emphasis on respect events and achievements that had tion only the most significant moments Throughout his address, the marked his first year in office: amend- of the past year, which also saw an UEFA president stressed the notion of ments to the UEFA Statutes adopted intensification of relations with the respect: “Respect is the new message at an Extraordinary Congress in Zurich European Union authorities. “European that we will try to convey in future in order to strengthen the powers of football is united. It speaks with one through our different competitions, the Executive Committee; an increase single voice. And for the first time, the starting with EURO 2008.” in the number of committees, which European Union is hearing it and, Sharing knowledge and were now chaired by members of the more importantly, listening to it,” the information is another form of respect. Executive Committee; greater repre- president said, highlighting also the “Football is a team game, a passing sentation of the national associations close links between UEFA and FIFA. game. So let’s share,” the president in the committees; creation of the The key to many of these urged. “Don’t be afraid to share, to Professional Football Strategy Council; achievements had been the UEFA pres- learn.” memorandum of understanding with ident’s preferred approach of dialogue Putting his own words into FIFPro Europe; revision of the UEFA and communication: “It is through deeds, a mass of information was Champions League access list and re- dialogue and communication that you shared with the congress delegates. form of the UEFA Cup; and a memo- can make progress, build and grow.” In addition to the information pro- 03 UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 4 Messages After words of welcome from Vlatko Markovic, president of the Croatian Football Federation, the country’s prime minister, Ivo Vlatko Ivo Sanader, addressed the congress Markovic Sanader on behalf of the new Croatian government, formed last January, one of whose priorities was to join the European Union. “Croatia is a country with a great sporting tradi- vided by the UEFA president himself, from the chairmen themselves. tion,” he said, before expressing how the delegates had received the Although some of the 19 UEFA com- impatient he was for EURO 2008 to detailed written reports of the UEFA mittees have not met yet, most are kick off and for Croatia’s president and Executive Committee, already down to work, and Friedrich first match in the tournament, and of the UEFA administration. The Stickler (Club Competitions), Per Ravn against Austria in Vienna. He also chairman of the Finance Committee, Omdal (Development and Technical highlighted “the usefulness of the UEFA vice-president Marios N. Assistance), Senes Erzik (Fair Play and HatTrick programme, which gives Lefkaritis, commented on the financial Social Responsibility, and Stadium and Croatia the hope of producing report, which presented a satisfactory Security), Grigoriy Surkis (Futsal and more great footballers.” situation. The accounts and the Beach Soccer), Giangiorgio Spiess budget were approved, and a strate- (Legal), Michel D’Hooghe (Medical), gic financial outlook for 2007/08 to Geoffrey Thompson (National Associa- 2012/13 was presented. The dele- tions), Gilberto Madaíl (National Team gates’ attention was drawn to the fact Competitions) and Angel María Villar that the euro will be UEFA’s reporting Llona (Referees) presented brief reports currency in future, instead of the on the tasks and activities of their Swiss franc, a change that has already respective committees. been partially in effect for the current The UEFA first vice-president, season. Senes Erzik, also described the role of the Professional Football Strategy Work of the committees Council and reported on the first Joseph S. Blatter Since the committees now meeting of this body, which brings have a new role in UEFA’s operations, together representatives of the na- Referring to the memorandum it was felt that the congress should tional associations, leagues, clubs and of understanding between UEFA and hear about the committees’ activities players. the European Club Association, the FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter, said: “2008 is a year of consolidation for UEFA and the start of a new era”. He was very happy about the excel- lent cooperation between FIFA and UEFA: “By working together, we have found solutions to facilitate better understanding in the world of inter- national football.” Regarding the relationship be- tween football and society, the FIFA president also revealed that, directly or indirectly, a quarter of the world’s population was involved in football in one way or another. He also looked forward to seeing the representatives of UEFA’s member associations in Sydney for the next FIFA Congress, which, among other matters, would discuss items dealt with by the FIFA Strategic Committee, such as the protection of national identities and the strengthening of the national teams. Before listing the main interna- tional football events this year, he made an appeal, saying: “We don’t talk enough about protecting play- ers’ health!” 04 uefadirect 3.08 UEFAdirect-71-Mars•E-7.0:Anglais 18.2.2008 12:24 Page 5 HatTrick – a welcome programme Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, Certificate for the chairman of the HatTrick Committee, presented a positive report on the honorary president HatTrick programme to date. Its Immediately after he was elected UEFA president at the 2007 UEFA investment programme, in particular, Congress in Düsseldorf, Michel Platini proposed that his predecessor, Lennart had initiated projects which would Johansson, be made honorary presi- probably have otherwise remained on dent of UEFA, a proposal which the the drawing board. It had had a mul - congress accepted with a standing tiplier effect on other funding – from ovation. the local authorities primarily, but also In Zagreb, at the start of the from private sponsors. Thanks to the congress, Michel Platini presented programme, training centres, playing Lennart Johansson with his honorary fields and stadiums have been built in president’s certificate. The only the territories of many UEFA member other former UEFA president to hold associations.