BRANKO RADUJKO, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OD SERBIA ABOUT THE UEFA MEETING IN CANNES
Branko Radujko, General Secretary of the Football Association of Serbia represented our Association in Cannes at the UEFA meeting from September 17th to 19th . The meeting was chaired by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. Theodore Theodoridis, General Secretary, Giorgio Marchetti, his deputy and Zoran Laković the Director of National Associations were present.
“The meeting met all the expectations, confirmed how serious work is done in UEFA and confirmed that football is definitely not only the most popular sport in the World, but it is a large global industry. President Čeferin and the Director of National Associations Laković introduced to us a very useful information, together with their closest associates. An emphasis was made at the administrative and financial aspects of the last European Championship in Germany.
I am primarily referring to the revenues generated and their distribution to the national Associations, both to the participating teams in the final tournament, as well as to those that were not lucky enough to be part of the biggest stage of European football – said Branko Radujko, to whom this meeting was the first official duty after being appointed to a responsible position in the Football Association of Serbia.
One of the most important topics at the UEFA meeting was the new format of UEFA club competitions, that started from the 2024/25 season.
“The UEFA experts 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. We followed the matches of the first round and made sure that everything seems much more attractive and at this moment no one can even guess the final position of the teams on that unique table. All the big clubs at this moment are also satisfied, which reduces the possibilities for some new initiatives that are contrary to the principles of UEFA.
It is expected the further income growth, and we are pleased to know that a large part of the funds will be directed towards the National Associations for the needs of further infrastructure development and the education of professional staff at all levels.”
The Head of the UEFA Referees Committee, Roberto Rosetti, has submitted a report about the refereeing at the European Championship 2024, with a special reference to the behavior of the players and the attitude towards the referees.
“The report by Rosetti was really impressive, with examples of acceptable and unacceptable player behavior on the pitch, good decisions by referees, and also some of their faults.” A special part was dedicated to the use and the effects of VAR technology. The conclusion, which in a way is also a message to referees – is to try to rely on their own decisions as much as possible, and to use technology only in situations where it is necessary. It has also been presented to us the latest technology that defines whether the ball has touched the player’s hand. UEFA will continue to insist on improving the profile of the game of football in terms of preventing inappropriate activities on the pitch. There is a practice already in force, the practice that only the Team 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 players or referees.”
The General Secretary of the FA of Serbia also took the opportunity in Cannes, to discuss with the UEFA Managements about the bid of Serbia to host the U21 European Championship and the organization of the UEFA Congress scheduled for April 3rd 2025.
“Belgrade will be very soon the capital of European football and host the highest officials and representatives of all national associations. We prepare very seriously together with UEFA, for the Congress, in order to be organized at the highest possible level and to prove once again that we are worthy of the trust that was presented to us. It is important to make a strong impression, primarily because of the upcoming events and major competitions which we plan to apply for. We continue at the same time, with intensive activities in order to be appointed as a host of the Final Tournament in 2027, where the best U21 European national teams will gather.”
There is no time to rest for the General Secretary of the FA of Serbia. After the first activities in about the Administration, the focus of activities will soon be placed towards the A national team and to create the maximum conditions for Head Coach Stojković and his players to await one of the most important matches in this cycle of the Nations League, against Switzerland in Leskovac.
“I am aware of the fact that the Administration tasks are primarily to create conditions for working with youth 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 mood towards the national team.”
We do not want to disturb the peace of the Technical Staff and players in any way, and we are here to provide maximum support in their preparations for the next challenges. The match against Switzerland is very important and very emotional. I sincerely hope that the entire public will fully contribute to the creation of a positive atmosphere and that we will enjoy the good quality of football in Leskovac, and also a great atmosphere in the stands.”
Serbia will have the support of one member of the UEFA management at the “Dubočica” stadium.
“Zoran Laković is my old friend, a man who was a General Secretary for a very long time and who 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 always look forward to his visit to Serbia. He always finds time to be present at our important events, regardless of whether the events are organized 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 Web-site of the Football Association of Serbia.
