The future format of the UEFA Cup dominates the agenda for the next meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland on 9 and 10 July.
Extensive discussions
UEFA and Europe’s major clubs have been holding extensive discussions for several months within the European Club Forum on the future structure of European club football’s second most important competition, and other interested parties have also been consulted, as part of common efforts to find a format that will enhance the image of the UEFA Cup.
UEFA Cup appeal
The objective is to reinforce the UEFA Cup’s appeal to bring it more into line with European football’s blue-riband club tournament, the UEFA Champions League. Discussions have included the possible introduction of a format involving a group phase.
EU Treaty campaign
UEFA’s supreme executive body will also hold talks on the campaign by the European football family for a legal basis for sport to be included in the new European Union Treaty. In March, a resolution was adopted unanimously by the 52 UEFA member associations at the XXVII Ordinary UEFA Congress in Rome, and Europe’s political and sporting authorities have been continuing their dialogue on the issue.
Specific nature
The objective laid down in the resolution is to enshrine the legal recognition of the specific nature of sport in a future EU Treaty, and to protect the autonomy of European sport’s governing bodies, to enable them to do their job properly, free from unnecessary interference from political authorities at national and European level.
Portugal work
Preparations are continuing apace for next summer’s eagerly-awaited UEFA EURO 2004™ final round in Portugal, and the Executive Committee will hear a progress report on the work being done to stage one of the world’s major sporting events. In addition, the arrangements for the European qualifying competition for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany is on the agenda, as well as preparations for UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria/Switzerland.
TV rights
The ongoing sale of UEFA Champions League TV and new media rights, and the admission of new members into UEFA’s Coaching Convention are also up for discussion during the Nyon meeting.
Referee debate
A joint meeting is also planned on Friday between the UEFA Executive Committee and the UEFA Referees’ Committee, in which the two bodies will discuss the maintenance and future development of refereeing standards in Europe. uefa.com will publish a report of this meeting on Friday 11 July.
For further information:
Mike Lee, Director of Communications and Public Affairs: ++41-79-250 53 71
UEFA Media Services: ++41-22-99 44 55 9