UEFA diary: March
Thursday, 23 December 2004
uefa.com chief writer Mark Chaplin casts an eye back on what happened within
European football's governing body during 2004.

9 March
UEFA's Jubilee celebrations continue apace. Swiss Post unveils and issues a
special stamp in commemoration of the European body's 50th birthday.

12 March
The UEFA Champions League continues to go from strength to strength - much to
the satisfaction of UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson. Mr Olsson
reveals that audience figures are increasing across Europe. "The format from
this season was a new approach, and it has already proven to be a success. We
have had some exciting matches for the fans in the stadiums, and for those
watching on TV. So the UEFA Champions League is a strong brand and a strong
product," he says. Mr Olsson adds that the new UEFA club licensing system
will "safeguard the long-term development of European football" when it is
introduced from the 2004/05 season.

19 March
The UEFA Appeals Body rejects an appeal lodged by the Football Association of
Wales (FAW) against the regularity of the UEFA EURO 2004? second leg play-off
match played against Russia in Cardiff in November. The appeal was based on
the grounds that Russian player Yegor Titov, was ineligible to play due to
his positive doping test after the first leg in Moscow. The Appeals Body
bases its decision in particular on the failure by the FAW to present
evidence of any implication of the Football Union of Russia in the alleged
doping infringement. The body mentions that the relevant UEFA regulations do
not provide for a provision under which a team may be punished in the event
of one of its players being tested positive.

22 March
The new-style UEFA Cup will feature a central branding concept when it is
launched at the start of 2004/05. UEFA's Executive Committee hears at its
meeting in Dublin that the central branding concept for the second major
European club competition, will apply for an initial period of two years. The
competition will not be centrally marketed, unlike the UEFA Champions League.

25 March
Mr Olsson repeats UEFA's insistence that clubs must have sound financial
foundations if they want to play in European competitions in the future.
Writing in the official UEFA Champions League magazine, Champions, Mr Olsson
warns clubs that UEFA would be entitled to exclude from its competitions if
they do not fulfil the requirements of the new Europe-wide licensing system.
"Too many sides are not planning for the long-term future of the club and
think only about the very immediate outlook," Mr Olsson says. "Under our new
club-licensing system, clubs will have to prove to their national
associations that they have sound finances if they are going to play in
European competition. We are determined to be firm about this," he added.

26 March
UEFA's aim of achieving uniformity in refereeing decisions at UEFA EURO
2004?, takes an important step forward. Members of the UEFA management join
representatives of the UEFA Referees' Committee, top European referees,
coaches and prominent ex-players Zvonimir Boban and Emilio Butrague?o, for a
round-table discussion focusing on referees' instructions for the final
tournament. Talks centre on uniform interpretation of the offside law and
when players are deemed to be in active play. Among the other topics are
limiting player protests and dissent, punishment to be given for denying
goalscoring opportunities, the conduct of coaches and fourth officials in the
technical area, goal celebrations, the warming up of substitutes and smoking
on the substitutes' bench.

26 March
UEFA and its joint venture company Euro 2004, S.A. win a major court case in
the High Court of Justice in London against a firm illegally offering tickets
for sale for UEFA EURO 2004?, against the individuals behind it and against
their purported sources of tickets. "The order issued by the High Court
reflects its acceptance of the lawfulness and importance of the ticketing
terms and conditions, and provides a clear legal mandate for UEFA's
continuing efforts to stamp out unauthorised and illegal sales of UEFA EURO
2004? tickets in breach of those conditions," a UEFA statement says. In the
order, Select Promotions and its principals are ordered to desist from
offering for sale and offering to buy or trade in any way, EURO 2004? tickets
whether via the internet or in any other manner.

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