Sándor Barcs
Friday, January 8, 2010
Article summary
Former UEFA vice-president Sándor Barcs − a much-respected figure who acted as caretaker president of European football's governing body in 1972 and 1973 – has died aged 97 in Hungary.
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Article body
Former UEFA vice-president Sándor Barcs − a much-respected figure in European and Hungarian football – has passed away at the age of 97. He acted as caretaker president of European football's governing body from 7 July 1972 to 15 March 1973 following the death of Gustav Wiederkehr (Switzerland), and before the election of Artemio Franchi (Italy).
Wembley memory
Sándor Barcs was born on 10 November 1912. After playing for smaller clubs in Budapest and a spell as a journalist and politician, he found his true calling as a football administrator, and was the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) president when the 'Magical Magyars' changed the course of football history with their 6-3 win against England at Wembley in 1953.
UEFA and FIFA roles
Sándor Barcs served UEFA and FIFA in a variety of roles. As well as his 18-year stint as a UEFA Executive Committee member and vice-president, he was, among other things, a vice-president of FIFA (1972-1974) and a European member of the FIFA Executive Committee (1974-1976). He served on the UEFA Emergency Committee (1964-1978, chairman from 1972-74), and the Organising Committee of the European Cup Winners' Cup (1962- 1972), becoming the committee's chairman.
UEFA President's tribute
"I was saddened today to learn of the death of Sándor Barcs," said UEFA president Michel Platini. "A former president of the Hungarian FA, at UEFA he was vice-president of the Executive Committee from 1960 to 1978, served on numerous committees and was perhaps best known as the creator of the European Cup Winners' Cup. He was a much-respected football administrator and will be sorely missed by the football family. We send our sincere condolences to his family."
Football formula
Sándor Barcs stepped down from his UEFA role, and was made MLSZ vice-president in 1990. He once said: "The quality of a nation's football can be ascertained with the following formula: multiply the number of youngsters with the time they spend practising and you will get the nation's level." He was made a UEFA honorary member in 1980 on account of his distinguished services to Hungarian and European football.