Jubilee exhibition in Brussels

Opening evening
Senior European Commission officials and members of the European Parliament will join UEFA's hierarchy at the opening evening of the exhibition, designed to highlight UEFA's history and its sporting, political and social activities, as well as its relations with the European Union.

Essential relationship
This relationship is considered essential by UEFA, as reflected by the opening last year of a permanent base in Brussels. European football's governing body decided that it needed such a presence in view of the growing number of political issues that affect football, with decisions being made at European level.

Constant dialogue
UEFA and the EU maintain a constant dialogue on a variety of matters, including broadcasting regulations, freedom of movement for labour, doping, and the fight against racism. UEFA's Brussels office is located close to the European Parliament and is headed by Jonathan Hill, a specialist in EU affairs who has lived and worked in the city since 1995. The office forms part of the UEFA Communications and Public Affairs division.

Notable event
The Brussels exhibition was considered a notable event when UEFA began planning its 50th anniversary celebrations. "Exhibitions can be difficult to organise logistically and financially, so we decided to set a venue and a time that would be specifically targeted for a certain audience," said UEFA's Jubilee coordinator Keith Cooper.

'Specific audience'
"Considering the changes that the European Union has just gone through with the entry of ten new countries and elections for new members of the European Parliament, and in view of UEFA's dialogue with the EU, we felt it would be useful to put on an exhibition to reach that specific audience," he added.

European football history
The exhibition will feature a series of 52 panels that take the visitor through 50 years of European football history and the role the game has played in European life throughout this time. It looks at UEFA's development and the growth of its competitions; its social, assistance and humanitarian work; football investment policies; and the importance of the relationship between UEFA and the EU.

Trophies on display
The major European trophies will also be displayed, as well as a selection of memorabilia from players, clubs, associations, events and tournaments over the past 50 years - all portraying the way that the game has evolved since UEFA was founded in Basel, Switzerland, in June 1954.

Going public
The exhibition goes public after its two-week spell at the European Parliament. It will stay in the city but move to the Stade Roi Baudouin from 4-8 October. The venue has great poignancy for UEFA, as it was there, at the former Heysel stadium, that crowd disturbances cost the lives of 39 supporters at the 1985 European Champion Clubs' Cup final between Juventus FC and Liverpool FC. "We hope Belgian fans will come and see the exhibition for themselves and also see how UEFA has learnt the hard lessons of 1985," said Keith Cooper.

Moves to England
It then moves to the highly acclaimed National Football Museum in Preston, in the northwest of England, and will remain there until next spring. The museum has been supporting UEFA in the preparation of the exhibition, along with the North West Regional Development Authority.