The president of the Union of European Football Associations has a good many responsibilities, as one would expect of such the governing body of such a vast and popular sport. He manages relations between the UEFA and the world football body FIFA as well as relations between member associations and other continental football confederations.
Former Player and Coach at the Helm
The current UEFA president is Michel Platini, who was elected in 2007. Platini's roots in the game go all the way back to his playing days, when he was captain of the French squad that won the 1984 European Championship. Before then, he led France to the quarterfinals in the 1976 Olympics, losing amidst a refereeing controversy in a quarterfinals match to the powerful East German team. He also coached the French National Team from 1988 to 1992.
Implementing a Vision
His focus as UEFA president has been on implementing a version of the salary cap, in which teams will not be able to advantage themselves over their opponents simply by going on wild spending sprees for talent - which he regards as cheating. Platini is also credited with having reconstructed the former UEFA Cup into the Europa League, breathing new life into the second-tier competition. Under his watch, the European Championships final tournament will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams.
Platini is a lock to be re-elected in 2011 because nobody stepped up to run against him by the December 22nd filing deadline. He will remain president until at least 2015. His formal re-election will take place in March at the UEFA Congress in Paris. UEFA's efforts under Platini's leadership mirror the gains in popularity that soccer has made globally. The sport is lucky to have such a practical visionary occupying the president's office.
Mark is an avid sports fan and online writer. He loves European football and recommends football games for live streaming online.
Former Player and Coach at the Helm
The current UEFA president is Michel Platini, who was elected in 2007. Platini's roots in the game go all the way back to his playing days, when he was captain of the French squad that won the 1984 European Championship. Before then, he led France to the quarterfinals in the 1976 Olympics, losing amidst a refereeing controversy in a quarterfinals match to the powerful East German team. He also coached the French National Team from 1988 to 1992.
Implementing a Vision
His focus as UEFA president has been on implementing a version of the salary cap, in which teams will not be able to advantage themselves over their opponents simply by going on wild spending sprees for talent - which he regards as cheating. Platini is also credited with having reconstructed the former UEFA Cup into the Europa League, breathing new life into the second-tier competition. Under his watch, the European Championships final tournament will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams.
Platini is a lock to be re-elected in 2011 because nobody stepped up to run against him by the December 22nd filing deadline. He will remain president until at least 2015. His formal re-election will take place in March at the UEFA Congress in Paris. UEFA's efforts under Platini's leadership mirror the gains in popularity that soccer has made globally. The sport is lucky to have such a practical visionary occupying the president's office.
Mark is an avid sports fan and online writer. He loves European football and recommends football games for live streaming online.