The UEFA Executive Committee has ratified the admission of six more European national associations to the UEFA Convention on Referee Education and Organisation.

The associations of Albania, Armenia, the Czech Republic, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece and Israel are to become new members – bringing the number of signatories of the convention to 36. The remaining 17 UEFA member associations are all part of the admission process for the future.

The UEFA Convention on Referee Education and Organisation has a variety of objectives. These include enhancing referee education, promoting the role of the referee, and improving refereeing structures and development within the European associations.

When they sign the convention, associations agree to a development plan for refereeing and become entitled to receive a financial contribution for their work, and further annual payments as long as the required standards are maintained.