The future is in our hands
Monday, May 19, 2014
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In the latest edition of the official UEFA publication UEFA•direct, President Michel Platini looks at recent developments which are aimed at helping European football enter a healthy future.
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It was with great happiness and pride that I watched UEFA's member associations make history together at the 38th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Astana. We celebrated our 60th anniversary in style, reaching decisions which guarantee we will continue to develop football across the continent, making it more competitive and transparent than ever before while also increasing its role in society.
Even though it was the creation of the new UEFA Nations League which grabbed most of the headlines around Europe, I would like to highlight the importance of the new integrity resolution which was approved unanimously by all the national associations. The 11-point resolution sets high standards for everyone to stand united and fight against match-fixing, which threatens the very soul of our sport. We must make sure that there is a zero-tolerance approach towards this menace so that football can maintain its pure and unpredictable nature. It is the only way we can ensure that future generations will continue to love and believe in the magic of this beautiful game.
It was also with future generations in mind that we announced the creation of a new UEFA children's foundation. This will finance programmes helping children in need throughout Europe and around the world, following in the footsteps of other social responsibility initiatives we have conducted in the past. HatTrick, for example, has been a huge success, and the fourth cycle of this programme will get more funding than ever before.
As I turn my attention to our club competition finals, I cannot hide my excitement at the games that are on the horizon. The UEFA Europa League final [took] place in Turin, a city which gave me so much happiness and so many friends during my playing career, while a few days later it will be Lisbon's turn to take the spotlight as it hosts its first European Cup final since 1967.
Who will reign victorious in the Portuguese capital? Whichever team lifts the trophy, we are sure it will be a great occasion for everyone involved.
