UEFA•direct 148 out now

Preparations for this summer's UEFA final rounds, European coach education developments and the launching of the UEFA Foundation for Children are among the main items in the latest edition of UEFA's official publication UEFA•direct.

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino hails the recent outlawing of third-party ownership of footballers as a significant day for UEFA and European football, as well as a victory for the game. "TPO is bad for players, for player development, for clubs, for integrity of competition and for the financial health of the game," he writes in his editorial column.

"UEFA considers that TPO undermines contractual stability, has a negative effect on employment relationships, distorts the recruitment of players, threatens the integrity of competition, and also raises serious ethical and moral concerns regarding the treatment of players (in particular, young players).

"We can now look forward to a world without TPO. A world in which both clubs and players can have more control over their respective futures," Mr Infantino adds, "where players on opposing teams cannot have their economic rights 'owned' by the same third party, and where more money should remain in the game rather than being extracted by financial speculators."

Turning to competitions, UEFA•direct reports that the Czech Republic is looking forward to putting on a show when it stages the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament between 17 and 30 June. Anticipation has been growing for months, all three of the host country's group matches look set to attract sell-out crowds, and football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting a view of some of the continent's brightest young stars.

"It's the biggest football event we've ever held," local organising committee head Petr Fousek tells UEFA•direct. "We believe Prague, Olomouc and Uherske Hradiste will become capital cities of football and that the fans will leave with awesome experiences. We expect top-quality football and that people will enjoy the hospitality of the Czech Republic."

Iceland is another country gearing up for a football festival, this time featuring talented young European female players in the UEFA European Women's U17 Championship finals between 22 June and 4 July. The final-round field was recently increased from four to eight teams, reflecting the growth of European women's youth football, and the tournament will be played around the capital Reykjavik, with three venues in the capital itself and three more in neighbouring Akranes, Grindavik and Kopavogur. UEFA•direct says that both the action on the pitch and the chance to savour Iceland, a unique island nation, gives those attending much to anticipate.

Amateur footballers from eight regional teams also enjoy their moment in the spotlight from 26 June to 4 July with the latest UEFA Regions' Cup final round in the Republic of Ireland – the first UEFA tournament held in the country since 1994. "This competition is tremendously important to amateur footballers across Europe," Football Association of Ireland (FAI) president Tony Fitzgerald tells UEFA•direct. "They seldom get an opportunity to play on an international stage and representing their regions in this competition is something they'll never forget."

The finals of the UEFA Youth League and UEFA Futsal Cup were major successes, and UEFA•direct looks back at the two events, which showcased the best in European club youth football and the continent's futsal club game – the latter pulling in an unprecedented aggregate attendance of nearly 30,000 to watch the four matches in Lisbon.

Well-trained coaches breed good footballers for the overall benefit of European football. UEFA•direct explains the updating of the UEFA Coaching Convention which, since its launch in 1997, has improved coaching standards, established the credibility of the coaching profession and helped pave the way for free movement of coaches across Europe. The revamped convention follows developments in the sector and is now more user-friendly and easier to understand.

Meanwhile, a pillar of UEFA's coach education activities, the Pro licence student exchange programme, goes from strength to strength. Over 1,300 coaches have participated in the scheme – from top players aiming to take the next important step on their career path to experienced coaches wishing to fine-tune their skills. Vital coaching knowledge is shared within the exchange programme, and UEFA•direct reports that the results are being felt across the European game.

Finally, the UEFA Foundation for Children – launched in May – is an important and innovative new programme, born of the desire of UEFA and its President Michel Platini to utilise football's popularity and power in aid of children's well-being. UEFA•direct looks at how the foundation will work and get involved in social and humanitarian projects and activities in a variety of areas and ways, to help more children in need.

UEFA•direct is published in English, French and German, and is essential reading for anyone interested in UEFA's activities and competitions, and the sterling work undertaken by its 54 member associations.