UEFA CEO: 'Special year for football'
Friday, December 21, 2001
Article summary
UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner has said that current events are helping propel football into the future.
Article body
UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner has described 2001 as "another special year for the game" - and says that current events are helping propel football into the future.
Full and busy year
In his editorial column in the latest edition of UEFA's Flash publication, Mr Aigner thanked those who had helped contribute to the present success of football on this continent. "2001 has certainly been a full and busy year, both on the field and around the conference table," he added.
Outstanding events
Mr Aigner said that the launch of two new competitions, the UEFA Women's Cup and UEFA Futsal Cup for women’s and Futsal club teams respectively, and the negotiations to reach agreement on international transfers had been among the year's outstanding events in UEFA's busy schedule.
Major decisions
He added that UEFA had worked intensively until the end of the year in a variety of sectors, and that major decisions concerning the UEFA Champions League format and marketing agency contract for European football's blue-riband competition were already thrusting UEFA and the European game into the future.
Format maintained
UEFA decided earlier this month to maintain the current UEFA Champions League format with 32 clubs and two group stages. European football's governing body is also set to take a decision soon on the UEFA Champions League marketing agency contract for the period between 2003 and 2006.
EURO 2004™ draw
"The draw for the EURO 2004™ qualifying competition in Porto, Portugal, will set the match calendar for the national teams for the upcoming two years," said Mr Aigner.
September events
The UEFA Chief Executive also remembered the "terrible and tragic" 11 September attacks on the United States which, he said, "also had their impact on all of us. A lot has happened since then and football has also had to move on," he added, "but we will never forget these events."
Passion for football
"I hope that your passion for football will continue undiminished, and that together we can enjoy a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2002," he concluded.
