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Union of European Football Associations

UEFA

UEFA is the governing body for football in Europe, representing 55 national football associations across the continent.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Special Olympics Europe Eurasia and

10 Dec 2025 · Stakeholder dialogue on establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034

Meeting with Fausto Matos (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen), Thomas Schmitz (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen)

4 Dec 2025 · Online Piracy

Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture, and creative sectors, values, and civil society

25 Nov 2025

UEFA welcomes the European Commissions ambition to shape a more focused and impactful EU Budget for the 2028-34 period. While budget parameters will evolve, it remains essential that Erasmus+ retains its financial capacity to deliver meaningful and stable investment across its sectors, ensuring that its impact is not eroded by rising costs or by broader programme consolidation. Sport is a major economic actor in the EU. It contributes an estimated 3,4% of EU GDP and supports 6,05 million jobs, representing 2,48 % of total employment in EUs economy. Its health benefits are equally substantive: regular sport participation reduces major non-communicable diseases by up to 30% and lowers depression and anxiety by 2030%. Increasing physical activity to recommended levels could save nearly 8 billion in annual healthcare costs across the EU. Sport also drives social inclusion: numerous studies confirm its effectiveness in integrating refugees, people with disabilities, marginalised communities and disadvantaged youth. It helps develop transversal skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication, strengthening employability. Sport events and local initiatives additionally boost territorial attractiveness and tourism. Building on these economic, health and social benefits, it is crucial to highlight how European programmes already help unlock this potential in practice. UEFA has supported numerous Erasmus+ funded football projects involving its Member Associations with positive social impacts across the EU and beyond. One example is the SCALE project, implemented by the National Football Associations of Romania, Malta, Moldova and Azerbaijan, which aimed to integrate teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds into local communities via football programmes in schools. The project yielded good results, inter alia, reducing school dropout rate in 264 students who were part of the programme. UEFA wishes to continue supporting such socially impactful football-related initiatives, which should remain fully enabled within the Erasmus+ framework. Given the above considerations, the Erasmus+ programme should give sport a stronger and more visible place. Together with the wider European sport movement, UEFA therefore calls for the ring-fencing of at least 5% of the total Erasmus+ budget for sport-related actions. Without dedicated earmarking, sport risks being diluted under broad cross-sectoral priorities despite its clear contribution to EU goals in health, education, employment, equality and social cohesion. As the governing body of football in Europe, UEFA is fully committed to the European Sport Model (ESM) and to showcasing the essential role of grassroots football in strengthening local communities, and a dedicated sport budget line would guarantee continuity, enable long-term planning and reinforce this model across all Member States and enlargement countries. Regarding implementation, the share of the decentralised budget (under the management of National Agencies) has not yet been specified. UEFA suggests maintaining the current share at 25% (for activities managed by EACEA) / 75% (for activities managed by National Agencies) to ensure broad access for stakeholders across Europe. A minimum share of the decentralised budget should also be reserved for cooperation activities in sport, as education and training priorities often dominate National Agency allocations. Mobility in the field of sport alone is insufficient; cooperation projects are essential to supporting grassroots sport and strengthening the European Sports Model within local communities.
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Meeting with Giorgio Guazzugli Marini (Head of Unit Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

30 Sept 2025 · UEFA on combating online piracy of sports and other live events

Meeting with Stefan De Keersmaecker (Director Communication) and

22 Jul 2025 · Discussion on the possible future renewal of the UEFA-EU Commission partnership for joint communication actions

Meeting with Giorgio Guazzugli Marini (Head of Unit Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

23 Jun 2025 · To discuss issues on which UEFA and European commission sport unit cooperate.

Meeting with Glenn Micallef (Commissioner) and

31 May 2025 · Cooperation between EU and UEFA in the field of sport

UEFA Urges New EU Law to Stop Live Piracy

27 May 2025
Topic — Evaluation of the European Commission’s recommendation on combating online piracy of sports events.
Message — UEFA demands EU-wide legislation requiring internet platforms to provide tools for immediate removal of illegal content. They argue current voluntary measures are routinely ignored and fail to stop live piracy.12
Why — Mandatory takedown tools would protect the commercial revenues that fund grassroots and professional football.34
Impact — Criminal groups stand to lose the revenue they drain from the European football ecosystem.5
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Meeting with Erik Marquardt (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association and

18 Mar 2025 · Stakeholder Dialogue on The role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model

Meeting with Hannes Heide (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and NOVE and

18 Mar 2025 · Stakeholder dialogue on The role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model

Meeting with Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and NOVE and

18 Mar 2025 · Stakeholder dialogue on The role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model

Meeting with Maria Luisa Cabral (Director Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

5 Mar 2025 · Social dialogue in professional football

Meeting with Dana Spinant (Director-General Communication)

18 Feb 2025 · Discussion on the possible future renewal of the Commission-UEFA partnership for joint communication actions

Meeting with Patricia Libert (Head of Unit Communication)

22 Jan 2025 · Discussion on the possible future renewal of the UEFA-EU Commission partnership for joint communication actions

Meeting with Pierfrancesco Maran (Member of the European Parliament) and Unione Italiana del Lavoro

21 Nov 2024 · Priorities new legislature

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Oct 2024 · Sport

Meeting with Lynn Boylan (Member of the European Parliament) and European Leagues

25 Sept 2024 · Impact of Brexit on Irish youth football and EU funding opportunities to tackle the challenges

Meeting with Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner) and

29 Jan 2024 · Meeting of Commissioner Kyriakides with UEFA and the European Resuscitation Council on joint campaign on basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Meeting with Dana Spinant (Acting Director-General Communication)

20 Nov 2023 · UEFA-European Commission cooperation agreement

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

29 Mar 2023 · Cooperation with UEFA and football’s future governance and sustainability challenges

Response to Fighting against online piracy of live content

10 Feb 2023

Please see attached PDF document.
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Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

26 Jan 2023 · Courtesy meeting

Meeting with Helena Braun (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans), Lukas Visek (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and

25 Jan 2023 · REACH restriction on microplastics and UEFA’s views regarding artificial turf

UEFA warns against pesticide ban for European football pitches

19 Sept 2022
Topic — Revision of EU rules to reduce pesticide use and protect sensitive areas.
Message — UEFA requests a structured dialogue with the Commission regarding the proposed pesticide ban on sports grounds. They argue for integrated turf management that allows for responsible chemical use when necessary to maintain pitch quality.12
Why — Retaining restricted pesticide use ensures football associations can maintain safe and high-quality playing surfaces.3
Impact — Players and clubs lose if pitch quality declines, leading to increased safety risks and costs.4
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Meeting with Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen (Director-General Communication)

22 Jul 2022 · To discuss next steps of the joint UEFA-European Commission Respect + EU Green Deal communications campaign and partnership

Meeting with Damyana Stoynova (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans), Olivia Gippner (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

21 Jun 2022 · Discussed the latest sustainability initiatives of UEFA and cooperation in the context of the Climate Pact

Meeting with Silvan Agius (Cabinet of Commissioner Helena Dalli)

3 Jun 2022 · Meeting was on the streamlining of the Union of Equality in the work of UEFA. They presented their football sustainability strategy and their upcoming work on online hate crime.

Meeting with Toma Šutić (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

19 May 2022 · Volunteering for older people

Meeting with Pauline Rouch (Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel)

15 Nov 2021 · Introductory meeting

Meeting with Olivier Guersent (Director-General Competition)

15 Nov 2021 · Competition Policy

Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

10 Nov 2021 · Conference on the Future of Europe

Meeting with Olivia Gippner (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

31 Aug 2021 · UEFA’s Green Deal initiatives

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

7 Jun 2021 · UEFA Cleaner Air Better Game event ‘The threat of air pollution to football’

Meeting with Iris Abraham (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

12 Apr 2021 · Meeting with UEFA Foundation for Children and EP Sports Group- preparation of the event: Youth spaces after COVID-19: sport in flourishing communities

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

18 Jan 2021 · Cooperation on the European Green Deal and the Climate Pact

Meeting with Ivo Belet (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

14 Dec 2020 · Follow-up meeting between UEFA President and VP Suica

Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President) and

7 Dec 2020 · Vice-President Schinas holds a videoconference call with the UEFA President

Meeting with Ursula von der Leyen (President)

3 Dec 2020 · Meeting with the President of UEFA

Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)

19 Nov 2020 · Courtesy meeting

Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President) and

7 Jul 2020 · European Way of Life portfolio and European football and sports

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

18 Jun 2019 · Point global sur la coopération

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

12 Feb 2019 · Update meeting

Meeting with Tibor Navracsics (Commissioner)

20 Nov 2018 · Trilateral Meeting with Cssr, Aleksander Ceferin and Andrea Agnelli

Meeting with Themis Christophidou (Director-General Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

20 Mar 2018 · Courtesy visit to welcome new DG following the signature of an "Arrangement for cooperation" between Commissioner Navracsics and UEFA President Seferin

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

21 Feb 2018 · Sport issues

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President)

21 Feb 2018 · Attendance of the signature of the arrangement of cooperation between the European Commission and UEFA

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

31 Jan 2018 · Preparation of the renewed Arrangement for Cooperation between UEFA and the European Commission

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

13 Dec 2017 · Preparation of the renewed Arrangement for Cooperation between UEFA and the European Commission

Meeting with Tibor Navracsics (Commissioner)

5 Apr 2017 · Cooperation between UEFA and the European Commission

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

23 Mar 2017 · Coopération EU/UEFA

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

21 Mar 2017 · Coopération EU/UEFA

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

7 Mar 2017 · Preparation of the UEFA Congress

Meeting with Andrus Ansip (Vice-President) and

3 May 2016 · Digital Single Market and Sport Broadcasting

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President) and

7 Apr 2016 · Incidents during games

Meeting with Andrus Ansip (Vice-President) and

26 Nov 2015 · Copyright reform, portability, fight against piracy

Meeting with Tibor Navracsics (Commissioner) and EBU-UER (European Broadcasting Union) and

26 Nov 2015 · Digital Single Market

Meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker (President)

10 Sept 2015 · Meeting with Mr Michel Platini on Sport and the Digital Single Market

Meeting with Pauline Rouch (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker)

31 Aug 2015 · Digital Single Market

Meeting with Stig Joergen Gren (Cabinet of Vice-President Andrus Ansip)

28 Jul 2015 · Copyright

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

28 Jul 2015 · Digital single market and sports broadcasting

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

22 Jul 2015 · Third party ownership, Digital single market

Meeting with Anna Herold (Digital Economy)

22 Jul 2015 · DSM

Meeting with Pauline Rouch (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker)

22 Jul 2015 · Digital Single Market

Meeting with Tibor Navracsics (Commissioner)

1 Jun 2015 · Cooperation between the UEFA and the EU Commission

Meeting with Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

4 Feb 2015 · Introductory meeting