Tura, Zafferani and Bronzetti at the 46th UEFA Congress in Vienna
Events
- 11 May 2022
Tura, Zafferani and Bronzetti at the 46th UEFA Congress in Vienna
The 46th Ordinary UEFA Congress was held today in Vienna, with the San Marino Football Federation represented in the Austrian capital by President Marco Tura, General Secretary Luigi Zafferani and Treasurer Filippo Bronzetti. Among the main topics presented, UEFA announced a substantial increase in the HatTrick VI development and solidarity programme, for which €935 million have been allocated over the 2024–2028 four-year cycle. This represents a 21% increase, equal to €160 million, compared to the €775 million of the fifth HatTrick cycle (2020–2024).
©FSGC | Zafferani, Tura, Bronzetti
Each member association will therefore be able to receive up to €17 million over the specified four-year period. This is far from a simple grant or non-repayable financial support – quite the opposite. The UEFA HatTrick programme in fact requires the identification and concrete implementation of development and education projects, as well as initiatives dedicated to grassroots football and youth football for both men and women, social responsibility projects, training for referees and coaches, and financial support for upgrading football infrastructure. In short, major opportunities and, as a result, significant commitments in terms of planning, resources and personnel for every single member association; certainly not blank cheques.
In his address to the delegates of the 55 UEFA member associations and the other stakeholders present, President Aleksander Čeferin highlighted the "encouraging successes achieved in circumstances of widespread difficulty and during an extraordinary period. I am convinced,” Čeferin continued, “that football can continue to show that a different world is possible, one of resilience and hope, in which not everything is dictated by power, profit or cynicism". He also referred to the solidarity shown by the football community in response to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to the united reaction to the threat of the so-called Super League, which emerged precisely on the sidelines of last year’s UEFA Congress in Montreux. "In times of difficulty,” Čeferin stated, “we have remained firm and strong. Together we found the solutions we needed and when we act as one, we are unbeatable. I am proud,” he added, “to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many great women and great men over these years".
During the Congress, the member associations approved the report of the UEFA President and Executive Committee, as well as the Administration’s report for the 2020–21 period. The 2020–21 financial statements and the 2022–23 budget were also submitted to the UEFA Congress for approval. Finally, new members were ratified to serve on UEFA’s judicial bodies. The 47th UEFA Congress will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday 5 April 2023.
©FSGC | Zafferani, Tura, Bronzetti
Each member association will therefore be able to receive up to €17 million over the specified four-year period. This is far from a simple grant or non-repayable financial support – quite the opposite. The UEFA HatTrick programme in fact requires the identification and concrete implementation of development and education projects, as well as initiatives dedicated to grassroots football and youth football for both men and women, social responsibility projects, training for referees and coaches, and financial support for upgrading football infrastructure. In short, major opportunities and, as a result, significant commitments in terms of planning, resources and personnel for every single member association; certainly not blank cheques.
In his address to the delegates of the 55 UEFA member associations and the other stakeholders present, President Aleksander Čeferin highlighted the "encouraging successes achieved in circumstances of widespread difficulty and during an extraordinary period. I am convinced,” Čeferin continued, “that football can continue to show that a different world is possible, one of resilience and hope, in which not everything is dictated by power, profit or cynicism". He also referred to the solidarity shown by the football community in response to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to the united reaction to the threat of the so-called Super League, which emerged precisely on the sidelines of last year’s UEFA Congress in Montreux. "In times of difficulty,” Čeferin stated, “we have remained firm and strong. Together we found the solutions we needed and when we act as one, we are unbeatable. I am proud,” he added, “to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many great women and great men over these years".
During the Congress, the member associations approved the report of the UEFA President and Executive Committee, as well as the Administration’s report for the 2020–21 period. The 2020–21 financial statements and the 2022–23 budget were also submitted to the UEFA Congress for approval. Finally, new members were ratified to serve on UEFA’s judicial bodies. The 47th UEFA Congress will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday 5 April 2023.
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