Zoppis and Simoncini in Switzerland for UEFA Respect Forum and FIFA Museum

The UEFA Respect Forum took place in Zurich on 7 and 8 May, bringing together all the Social and Environmental Sustainability Officers of the affiliated national associations, as well as representatives of European clubs and leagues, supporter organisations and AccessibAll, along with a wide range of key sector stakeholders from the commercial, political and economic spheres. This is only natural, since such a central topic for the development and management of a system so deeply embedded in every area of society as top-level football inevitably has a broad impact on the world around us. Hosting the event at the Letzigrund Stadium, venue of the Forum, were the President of the Swiss Football Association Dominique Blanc and UEFA Head of SES Department Michele Uva. Over the two days, participants discussed all the issues covered by UEFA’s and clubs’ Sustainability Strategy, complemented by useful, hands-on group workshops in which representatives split into working groups to identify solutions to specific topics. Andrea Zoppis and Giulio Simoncini, in particular, took part in the working groups dedicated to the removal of barriers to improve accessibility for disabled fans in stadiums and their engagement, as well as on Event Sustainability.

The trip to Switzerland also provided an opportunity to renew contacts with the FIFA Museum, with which the FSGC had recently collaborated on an exhibition dedicated to all affiliated national associations. The football museum hub will now also host the latest volume published by the FSGC on San Marino football (“Il calcio sammarinese 2022-2024: Estasi europee”) and the San Marino National Team shirt worn in the first historic victories in international competition. Zoppis and Simoncini were welcomed by Andreas Alf, Head of Communications at the FIFA Museum.