“Host to the highest officials and representatives of all national associations”
Secretary General FSS Branko Radujko he represented our organization at the meeting of heads of European football associations organized by UEFA from September 17 to 19 in Cannes.
The meeting was chaired by the first man of European football Alexander Ceferinand the general secretary Teodor Teodoridis, his deputy Djordjo Marketi and the director of national associations were present Zoran Laković.
“The meeting, in accordance with expectations, confirmed how seriously work is done in our umbrella organization and that football is definitely not only the most popular sport in the world, but a large global industry. President Čeferin and director of national associations Laković, together with their closest collaborators, introduced us to very useful information, with emphasis on the administrative and financial aspects of the past European Championship in Germany. Here, above all, I am referring to the revenues generated and their distribution to the national federations, both of the countries participating in the final tournament, as well as those that were not lucky enough to be part of the biggest show of European football. sums up the impressions of Branko Radujko, for whom the meeting in Cannes was the first official activity after being appointed to a responsible position in the Football Association of Serbia.
One of the most important topics at the meeting of the heads of European associations was the new format of UEFA club competitions, which started from the 2024/25 season.
“The UEFA expert team did a detailed analysis and explained to us the reasons for the format change in all three European competitions. Everything is done with the aim of further popularizing football, stronger competition and greater uncertainty. We followed the matches of the first round and made sure that everything seems much more attractive, at this moment no one can even guess what the final ranking of the teams in that unique table will look like. Now the big ones are also satisfied, which reduces the space for some new initiatives that contradict the principles of UEFA. Further income growth is expected and we are pleased to know that a large part of the funds will be directed to national associations for the needs of further infrastructure development and the education of professional staff at all levels.”
The head of the UEFA refereeing commission, Roberto Rosetti, submitted a report on the refereeing at the 2024 European Championship, with special reference to the behavior of the players and the attitude towards the referees.
“Rosetti’s report was really impressive, with illustrative examples of acceptable and unacceptable player behavior on the field, exceptional refereeing decisions, but also some of their omissions. A special chapter was devoted to the use and effects of VAR technology. The conclusion, which in a way is also a message to judges, is to try to rely on their own decisions as much as possible, and to use technology only in situations where it is really necessary. We were also shown the latest technologies that determine whether the ball has touched the player’s hand. UEFA will continue to insist on raising the profile of the game of football in terms of preventing inappropriate scenes on the pitch. The practice is already in force that only the captains have the right to communicate with the referees, but they must do so in a polite manner. Anything else will be sanctioned because it negatively affects the image of football and sends a bad message to young people who are preparing to be professional footballers or referees.”
The Secretary General of the FSS also used his stay in Cannes and talks with UEFA leaders for new consultations on the subject of Serbia’s bid to host the European Championship for Youth Teams and the organization of the UEFA Congress scheduled for April 3, 2025.
“Belgrade will very soon be the capital of European football and host the highest officials and representatives of all national associations. Together with UEFA, we are seriously preparing for the Congress to be organized at the highest possible level and to prove once again that we are worthy of the trust shown. It is important to leave a strong impression, primarily because of the upcoming events and major competitions for which we plan to apply. At the same time, we continue with intensive activities to gain trust for the organization of the final tournament in 2027, where the best European national teams under the age of 21 will gather.”
There is no respite for the first FSS operative. After the first concrete steps in terms of administration, soon the focus of activities will be directed towards the A national team and creating the maximum conditions for coach Stojković and his boys to peacefully await one of the most important matches in this cycle of the League of Nations, against Switzerland in Leskovac.
“I am aware of the fact that the administration’s tasks are primarily to create conditions for working with younger categories, to ensure transparency and regularity of competitions at all levels, but the results of the A team are of primary importance when it comes to the public’s mood towards the national team. We do not want to disturb the peace of the coaching staff and players in any way, we are here to provide them with maximum support in preparation for the next challenges. The match against Switzerland is very important and very emotional. I sincerely hope that the entire public will make a full contribution to the creation of a positive atmosphere and that we will enjoy good football and a great atmosphere in the stands in Leskovac.”
Serbia will have the support of one of the leaders of the European football house at the Dubočica stadium.
“Zoran Laković is an old friend of mine, a man who sat in this chair for a very long time and from that position significantly contributed to raising the reputation of our Association in the bodies of UEFA and FIFA. Today, he is a very important and influential official of UEFA, we look forward to his every visit to Serbia. He always finds time to be at our important events, regardless of whether it is in Belgrade, Leskovac, Zaječar, Loznica or another city. “Zoran loves football and has not forgotten where he started from.” concluded Branko Radujko in an interview for the website of the Football Association of Serbia.
Source: hotsport.rs
