A memorable 2017 for UEFA
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
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We look back at some of the news and events that have marked UEFA’s last 12 months.
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UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin completes a successful first year in office… new governance reforms are passed in Helsinki, making UEFA a more open and transparent organisation… UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 sets new benchmarks on and off the field… exciting new UEFA campaigns promote diversity and inclusion, and participation in women’s football... it's been another year of success and progress for UEFA.
JANUARY
The latest UEFA club licensing benchmarking report highlights how UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations have turned around football finances, creating a more stable and sustainable financial position for European top-division clubs.
Almost 7.2 million votes are cast by 650,000 fans in the UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2016 poll - with players from the Spanish league dominating the final XI.
FEBRUARY
UEFA donates €100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its rehabilitation programme in Afghanistan for landmine victims and people with other disabilities – Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos presents the cheque.
MARCH
Former top football stars Nadine Kessler and Dejan Stanković set out on new steps in their careers – the pair join UEFA to oversee the development of football within Europe.
APRIL
Speaking at the 41st Ordinary UEFA Congress in Helsinki, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin emphasises football's power to unite and thrill, and says UEFA will show courage, conviction and passion in advancing the game, while defending its core values.
Proposed good governance reforms designed to strengthen UEFA and improve its transparency are approved by the organisation's 55 member associations at the Ordinary Helsinki Congress.
MAY
The latest UEFA social responsibility report highlights successes and achievements in a variety of areas, and shows football’s immense power as a social force.
JUNE
UEFA launches Together #WePlayStrong - a ground-breaking campaign aimed at transforming perceptions of women’s football and encouraging girls to take up and continue playing the game.
The UEFA European Under-21 Championship showcases talented young players of the future, with Germany taking the title by overcoming Spain in the final in Krakow.
JULY/AUGUST
UEFA’s main tournament of the year, UEFA Women’s EURO 2017, is a resounding success, with records broken and new teams and stars emerging as women’s football continues to make huge progress.
AUGUST
Real Madrid’s Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo and Dutch UEFA Women’s EURO star Lieke Martens are named UEFA Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year 2016/17 respectively.
Italy’s Francesco Totti – a one-club man over 24 years with Roma – is honoured with the 2017 UEFA President's Award.
UEFA launches #EqualGame, a new UEFA RESPECT social responsibility campaign that will positively promote inclusion, diversity and accessibility in football throughout Europe.
SEPTEMBER
To mark the first year of his UEFA presidency, Aleksander Čeferin highlights the achievements of his opening 12 months at the helm of European football.
At the Extraordinary UEFA Congress in Geneva, the UEFA President urges prevention of a growing gap between large and small in European football - "and that we keep the dream alive for all.”
OCTOBER
Matches in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Women’s Champions League see European clubs and their players unite with UEFA and the Fare network to promote diversity, inclusion and accessibility in football, and support the campaign to rid the game of discrimination.
Portuguese legend Luís Figo joins UEFA as a football advisor, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience.
NOVEMBER
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin pledges 1% of his salary to Common Goal - a project co-founded by Manchester United star Juan Mata - which funds high-impact football charities worldwide.
ASSIST – a new UEFA initiative is launched, aimed at providing practical assistance to other confederations and their member associations in order to develop and strengthen football across the globe
DECEMBER
UEFA and the United Nations Office in Geneva announce the joint organisation of a solidarity football match in Geneva next year, featuring a host of stars.