Taylor sets agenda for UEFA

EU dialogue
UEFA General Secretary David Taylor told uefa.com that "big issues" face the UEFA leadership, such as discussions on the area of financial regulation in football and bringing balance to European competitions. "I think that this coming year, there will be a lot of activity," said Mr Taylor. "We started during last season and I think we're going to see a lot more engagement and involvement with the European political authorities of the European Union."

Big issues
UEFA has been in dialogue with the EU authorities on matters such as the specificity of sport and the autonomy of sports federations. He added: "There are big issues – the training and education of young players, the protection of young players, and restricting or prohibiting transfers of young players below a particular age. [There is also] the homegrown players concept.

Financial regulation
"All of these issues are important," Mr Taylor explained. "One other major area of activity is in the whole area of financial regulation and club licensing. With the clubs and leagues, we are looking at the possibilities of having a different and enhanced form of financial regulation at European level to supplement and complement what we have established with the national associations at national level. This is a complex area – it's a little bit away from kicking a ball on a park, but it's very important to actually bring more balance to our competitions and more balance to European football."

Shaping ideas
Mr Taylor has been UEFA General Secretary since June 2007, working in close harmony with UEFA President Michel Platini as the head of the UEFA administration in Nyon. "I've certainly enjoyed working with [Mr Platini]," he said. "I knew I would before I took the job. He's a great leader and ideas man, and we have to support him and help shape these ideas, as well as make sure that they are implemented. I think the leadership of UEFA is in very good hands."