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UEFA•direct 143 out now

UEFA's official publication reviews recent activities including financial fair play, women in leadership and a new step in positive relations with the European Commission.

UEFA•direct appears in English, French and German
UEFA•direct appears in English, French and German ©UEFA

Positive feedback on financial fair play and UEFA's drive to bring more women into leadership positions in football are among the focal points in the latest edition of UEFA•direct.

The monthly window on the world of European football's governing body and European football also explains how UEFA and the European Commission's relationship has been strengthened by a historic agreement signed in Brussels, and looks back on how UEFA adapted and changed to new football circumstances in the new millennium.

In his editorial, UEFA President Michel Platini welcomes some unexpected surprises in the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying competition. "With an expanded 24-team UEFA Euro 2016 in France, we have seen many teams playing with a renewed sense of purpose, harbouring real aspirations of participating in our flagship tournament for the first time," he says. "I know it is early in the qualifying campaign, but we have already seen some historic results, with some of the traditional 'smaller teams' beating established superpowers on their way to leading their groups.

"The great news is that more fans than ever have been able to watch all the action, since the new Week of Football concept makes more action available to more people on TVs around Europe," Mr Platini adds.

UEFA•direct examines the encouraging messages that emerged from the latest annual UEFA club licensing and financial fair play workshop in Dublin, including positive news that financial fair play – designed to bring long-term stability to European club football – is having a positive impact. This was shown by the continued reduction in overdue payables, down to €8m from €57m in 2010/11.

"A concrete sign that clubs are reacting and adapting their strategies to the new environment," is how the chairman of the UEFA Club Licensing Committee, David Gill, described the latest results at the workshop. UEFA•direct also portrays how key European football stakeholders reiterated their firm backing for financial fair play at a round-table discussion in Nyon in October.

In October, the positive relations between UEFA and the European Commission took another impressive stride forward when the two bodies signed an agreement reinforcing these relations and facilitating future cooperation. UEFA•direct looks at the background and reasons for an agreement that will help UEFA in particular in facing numerous future challenges.

The latest seminar in UEFA's innovative Women in Football Leadership Programme (WFLP) suggested that the project will soon bear positive fruit. UEFA has realised it is necessary to bring more women into senior positions and that football cannot remain a male-dominated domain. UEFA•direct explains that the programme is a wise investment for the future and details how Viviane Reding, former European Commission vice-president and current European parliament member, gave an inspirational speech to the seminar. "Do you have a dream?" she asked. "Go for it. You will see a lot of obstacles – but each obstacle makes you stronger. If you have a failure, try once more."

With UEFA celebrating its 60th birthday in 2014, UEFA•direct looks back to a recent time – the years between 2000 and 2009 – when the organisation celebrated its Jubilee, Michel Platini was elected as President, France, Greece and Spain savoured EURO glory, the UEFA Europa League was born, and the UEFA Champions League continued to go from strength to strength. Meanwhile, a share of the revenue earned by the UEFA Champions League goes to the clubs involved in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. This season, 183 clubs have benefitted, and UEFA.direct shows how the revenue has been distributed.

UEFA•direct is published in English, French and German, and is essential reading for anyone interested in UEFA's activities and competitions, and the sterling work undertaken by its 54 member associations.

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