Taylor celebrates UEFA Cup colour

UEFA General Secretary David Taylor has underlined the UEFA Cup's "special place" in European football while paying tribute to Sevilla FC's Antonio Puerta.

Diverse mix
Mr Taylor emphasised the contribution that the UEFA Cup lends to the game on this continent, saying: "It is [the] colourful and diverse mix of teams from right across Europe that gives the UEFA Cup its unique flavour and its special place in today's European club football landscape." The UEFA Cup – European football's second major club competition – has been given an enhanced image in recent years to help the tournament out of the shadow of the UEFA Champions League. Among other things, a centralised marketing and media rights package has been introduced for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Puerta tribute
Addressing the UEFA Cup first round draw ceremony, and ahead of tonight's UEFA Super Cup match between AC Milan and Sevilla, Mr Taylor also paid tribute to Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta, who died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack playing for his club last weekend. "Unfortunately, what should be a most joyous occasion has a sombre element to it, as the entire football family is in mourning following the tragic loss of the life of a young player – Antonio Puerta of Sevilla," said Mr Taylor. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to him, his club and, of course, his family and I know that tonight's match will be played as a special tribute to him."