UEFA has formed a new committee in an effort to help fine-tune laws and scheduling concerns, and it includes top names like Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho. In total, the list of names on the board consists of current coaches and former stars from across Europe. Gareth Bale, Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane and Gareth Southgate are just examples of those on the UEFA board.
According to UEFA, the newly formed Football Board provides “an institutional yet independent voice of experience and expertise on fundamental football-related topics, including the laws of the game, refereeing, match calendar, elite youth development and player well-being.”
Handball, VAR concerns to be discussed at assembly
Many coaches and players complained in recent months about changes within the rule book. The always-confusing handball rule is a particular point of contention for many in the sport. Rule experts tweaked the official wording of the law multiple times in recent years. The implementation of VAR has also caused a stir among many coaches and players, as well as fans.
“UEFA is delighted to see that the very ones who have shaped the game’s history with their talents and philosophy through decades are gathered again around our common goal – to protect the game of football and its essential values,” stated UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Ancelotti and Mourinho make first UEFA board visit next week
The 25-man list of UEFA Football Board members will first meet on Monday, April 24th. This will be the first chance for the coaches and players to voice concerns and give the governing body ideas on how to fix these issues.
Complete list of UEFA Football Board members
- Eric Abidal — former France defender
- Carlo Ancelotti — Real Madrid manager
- Gareth Bale — former Wales forward
- Rafael Benitez — former Liverpool manager
- Fabio Capello — former England manager
- Petr Cech — former Czech Republic keeper
- Rio Ferdinand — former England defender
- Luis Figo — former Portugal forward
- Robbie Keane — former Ireland striker
- Jurgen Klinsmann — South Korea manager
- Ronald Koeman — Netherlands manager
- Philipp Lahm — former Germany defender
- Henrik Larsson — former Sweden striker
- Michael Laudrup — former Denmark attacking midfielder
- Paolo Maldini — former Italy defender
- Roberto Martinez — Portugal manager
- Juan Mata — Galatasaray midfielder
- Predrag Mijatovic — former Montenegro forward
- Jose Mourinho — Roma manager
- Gareth Southgate — England manager
- Patrick Vieira — former France midfielder
- Rudi Voller — former Germany striker
- Javier Zanetti — former Argentina defender
- Zinedine Zidane — former Real Madrid manager
PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images
