FIFPro tournament for out-of-contract players

Out-of-contract footballers looking to continue their professional careers will have an ideal opportunity to put themselves in the shop window at a tournament to be staged in France next month by the world players' organisation FIFPro.

Fifth tournament
The 5th FIFPro Tournament for out-of-contract players will take place at AS Cannes' Stade Pierre de Coubertin on 11 and 12 July. Former French national team coach Michel Hidalgo made the draw, which places the Dutch team in Group A alongside Denmark and Switzerland. France, Portugal and Slovenia were drawn together in Group B. Following the group matches on Saturday 11 July, the final matches will be played on Sunday 12 July.

Outstanding initiative
After the draw, Hidalgo, who coached the French team which won the UEFA European Championship on home soil in 1984, said the tournament was an outstanding initiative which proves its worth every year. "Players can end up being without a club for all sorts of reasons," he said. "The FIFPro Tournament gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of international scouts. As a result, every year numerous players are able to continue their careers in professional football."

Useful event
UEFA considers the event very useful both for clubs that are still in need of players to complete their squad, and for the players who have not yet secured a professional contract for the coming and future seasons.