Aigner urges Brussels ties

Closer links must be forged with Brussels to ensure that UEFA continues to politically represent the interests of football in Europe, according to retiring Chief Executive Officer Gerhard Aigner.

Legal recognition
In his report to the national associations on UEFA's activities, presented at the recent UEFA Congress in Cyprus, Mr Aigner said that one of UEFA's key objectives, along with other sports bodies, is the legal recognition of the specific nature of sport in a future European Union treaty, as well as the protection of the autonomy of sport's governing bodies. UEFA and the FIFA are currently campaigning for these objectives in co-operation with other sports federations.

Basis of trust
"UEFA's strategy must be to build a basis of trust with the [European] Commission through constructive dialogue," said Mr Aigner. "This is the only way we can ensure that the Commission will give priority to consultation with the official European sports federations regarding sports-related matters, rather than dealing with individual self-appointed representatives of the sports movement."

Good relations
"At the same time, we need to build on our existing good relations with the European parliament and remain in constant contact with the permanent representatives of national governments in Brussels," he added.

Brussels office
Over the last decade there have been growing relations between UEFA and the EC over broadcasting rules, freedom of movement of labour, doping, racism, and legal provisions for sport in future EU legislation, which led UEFA to set up an office in Brussels last December.

Constant contact
Mr Aigner urged the national football associations to also maintain constant contact with their respective governments.

Protect interests
"Each national association would be perfectly justified in appointing a suitable person to take care of these matters. Football is so important in today's society that it is essential we engage more and more in political affairs in order to properly protect the interests of our sport when significant issues are being debated,” he said.