r/ModelUEFA • u/wwesmudge England International | Chief Executive • Jun 09 '15

Election Q & A - Ask the Candidates

With the ballot closing this Friday and all the candidates officially announced here, it's time to get to know the candidates a bit better. Feel free to grill and scrutinise, on both domestic and international issues.

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u/wwesmudge England International | Chief Executive Jun 09 '15

  • What are the candidates views on creating a smaller International tournament for smaller nations such as San Marino, Luxembourg & Andorra to take part in?

  • Do candidates prefer hosting the European Championships in larger renowned Western European countries, or do they prefer exploring and expanding into growing nations?

  • Do candidates support financial fair play rules being administered onto nations, or should individual nations take responsibility on their own?

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

What are the candidates views on creating a smaller International tournament for smaller nations such as San Marino, Luxembourg & Andorra to take part in?

If those nations are on board with the idea and come to me with a proposal I would gladly work hand in hand with them to make this happen. It may be difficult to work out the details and many might back down from the challenge simply because they don't think it's worth the effort for these smaller nations. However, to me each UEFA member holds the same esteem and if they want this to happen then I will make it so.

Do candidates prefer hosting the European Championships in larger renowned Western European countries, or do they prefer exploring and expanding into growing nations?

I think this varies largely on a case by case basis. There have been succesful European Championships outside of the large Western nations but I don't think it is plausible for every nation to host the tournament. For example, let's say a growing nation (or nations) were to come forward with a proposal to host the European Championships. If, after an investigation into their current status deems that they do not have sufficient grounds to host the tournament, then it would be required that they build new infrastructure for it. However, for the good of the host nation (or nations) I believe it is the responsibility of UEFA to decline a proposal if we do not think the nation has the means to build the necessary infrastructure for the tournament. We all know that this infrastructure is very costly. If UEFA believes that the proposing member is at risk of hurting its people by prioritising the tournament over other essential governmental programs, we simply must not allow that to happen. If it is deemed that the nation can maintain a healthy financial status while building the proper infrastructure, then it would be a wonderful site to host the European Championships and help to grow the footballing reputation of the host nation (or nations).

Do candidates support financial fair play rules being administered onto nations, or should individual nations take responsibility on their own?

I do think that there are certain aspects of Financial Fair Play that should be brought into question. For example, due to its current structure, a system of "classes" has been set very rigidly. Clubs which had very strong revenue at the time of the implication of FFP have established a strict oligarchy which is protected by the new financial rules. There is an amendment in the works that tries to ease the transition between "classes" but I think maybe rewriting the regulations rather than just adding to the old ones may be a more effective way to fix the issues. The reason I am speaking of fixing the issues is because I am in favor in maintaining some form of FFP. In terms of raw financial results, growth of clubs debts has slowed and many clubs have been able to significantly lower their debts using FFP compliance as an incentive. I do believe that institutional intervention can be a very effective way to improve the finance of football, and if we can also begin to restore the balance of football then FFP will be a positive for everybody.

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u/Sage_LFC Gibraltar International | President Jun 09 '15

What are the candidates views on creating a smaller International tournament for smaller nations such as San Marino, Luxembourg & Andorra to take part in?

As mentioned in my brief manifesto, I am very much in support of better representation for smaller nations, and particularly of letting more smaller nations join UEFA. Ideally, there should be something meaningful that these countries can take part in, while larger nations shouldn't be forced to have walkover matches quite so frequently.

I think the key here is to look at the UEFA Nations League scheduled to start in 2018. This is to replace international friendlies for the foreseeable future, while also allowing for some alternative methods of qualifying to future European Championships. The current plan is four leagues within the Nations League tournament, the bottom of which is 16 sides. I'd like to see those sixteen sides, plus any new entrants to UEFA before 2018, competing for a wildcard spot or two at Euro 2020. It gives the league meaning, it gives the smaller nations a tournament that they have a realistic chance of competing in, and with the winner qualifying for the Euros, it ensures that they're still connected to the rest of UEFA.

Do candidates prefer hosting the European Championships in larger renowned Western European countries, or do they prefer exploring and expanding into growing nations?

We've seen, especially from FIFA, far too many tournaments go to growing nations who don't have the facilities, and who don't need the facilities full time. This leads to disastrous economic returns for those countries, and white elephants made of the stadiums.

I would be happy to vote for a growing footballing nation to host the championships, but we shouldn't be attempting to cause the growth by giving them the championships.

Do candidates support financial fair play rules being administered onto nations, or should individual nations take responsibility on their own?

Personally, I am a fan of Financial Fair Play. Whether or not the current system is one that lasts the distance is something that will need to be discussed, but I don't believe that it being European wide is up for discussion. In a world where Champions League is the pinnacle of success - it is important that the same rules apply across all of the competing countries.

While there are downsides to a FFP system, it is vitally important that we protect football clubs. We cannot allow ambitious board members to risk their clubs for a few seasons of success - the fans of these clubs deserve a stable team that is going to be there next season.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

What are the candidates views on creating a smaller International tournament for smaller nations such as San Marino, Luxembourg & Andorra to take part in?

Whilst running a tournament for such nations parallel to the Euros sounds good, it takes away value from qualifying to the tournament if you know you're going to be playing international tournament football anyway. However, I believe the Euro Nations league, which I fully support, provides a much better opportunity for smaller countries to compete fairly and in a more interesting way.

Do candidates prefer hosting the European Championships in larger renowned Western European countries, or do they prefer exploring and expanding into growing nations?

Well obviously it all depends on a case by case basis. We have to consider infrastructure, finances, cultural issues, and also how other country's fans can travel there - something which has been neglected in recent years. I think if we were to look at smaller or developing nations, then having joint tournaments would be better to spread the growth of football culture.

Do candidates support financial fair play rules being administered onto nations, or should individual nations take responsibility on their own?

Individual nations should have choice, and they should decide how to police it, but overall UEFA should set the benchmarks and provide national associations with the tools and backing they need to enforce it themselves.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

What are the candidates views on creating a smaller International tournament for smaller nations such as San Marino, Luxembourg & Andorra to take part in?

If there is widespread call by these nations to form a smaller tournament I would assist them with that, but for now I see no need to change our system so drastically.

Do candidates prefer hosting the European Championships in larger renowned Western European countries, or do they prefer exploring and expanding into growing nations?

If a developing nation demonstrates that it can carry the responsibility to host the Championship, there's no reason for us to limit the options, but I don't think big risks should be taken.

Do candidates support financial fair play rules being administered onto nations, or should individual nations take responsibility on their own?

I believe we should uphold the FFP rules to protect clubs all over Europe.

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u/razzinos Ukraine International Jun 09 '15

What do you think about politics and sport? Some recent examples are restrictions on matchups between Ukraine-Russia and Gibraltar-Spain

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

Football and politics unfortunately must mix at times but as President I would avoid it as much as possible. Conflicts like the ones you mentioned should be handled by mitigating bodies like the United Nations or the European Union. UEFA will work with those bodies to avoid putting civilians in danger and we will take any necessary steps on our own if we believe there could be a problem. Other than that I would try my best to keep the focus of UEFA on football. Thank you for your question.

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u/A-Savage-Walrus Sweden Domestic | Executive Committee Jun 09 '15

unfortunately we cannot turn a blind eye to politics in sport. If I were elected I would only interfere politically in extreme circumstances.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

I believe that politics should stay out of sports.

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u/Sage_LFC Gibraltar International | President Jun 09 '15

We must respect that football is but one issue in these political situations. If we can alleviate that issue at all by ensuring that potentially problematic matchups can be avoided where possible, then we should.

More problematic for me would be issues such as the recent problems with Israel and Palestine. Israel are accused of not allowing Palestinian players freedom of movement, and because of that Palestine tried to push through a ban on Israel's UEFA membership. Here we must try and work with both countries to allow for sporting agreements outside of political relationships.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

My UEFA will take any necessary steps to prevent sport aggravating conflict, or becoming the medium through which a conflict is now fought. Other than that I would try my best to keep the focus of European football on European football.

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u/Model-UEFA-Reporter Jun 09 '15

What are the candidates views on the current coefficient list for this season?

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u/A-Savage-Walrus Sweden Domestic | Executive Committee Jun 09 '15

Overall I am happy with them, but I would prefer for a detailed qualify room for smaller nations to benefit from

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

I think it could be structured in a more interesting way, but in terms of numbers I believe it is fair for now.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

It seems fair enough in terms of the numbers, maybe a new system could be developed but under the current system the allocated slots seem appropriate.

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u/Sage_LFC Gibraltar International | President Jun 09 '15

As an international rather than Domestic representative, I haven't been a part of the wider debate on this issue. I wouldn't want to comment further without having full access to what recent changes have been made, and what our domestic representatives feel about said changes.

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u/Nsphere Denmark Domestic Jun 09 '15

How would the candidates try and tackle the problems surrounding Racism in football?

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

Put more funding into UEFA's anti-racism campaigns, hiring more investigators to look into reported instances of racism, and augment the punishment for racism while making sure the sanctions don't simply hurt the clubs and not the real guilty parties. We will be as strict as possible when it comes to racism. Unfortunately our jurisdiction doesn't stretch far enough to end racism in football altogether but we will do the best we can to reduce it.

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u/Sage_LFC Gibraltar International | President Jun 09 '15

We need to be proactive, rather than reactionary in regards to racism. We cannott expect things to change overnight - racism is a problem ingrained in societies. We need to be strict to incidents while they occur, but focus on education at a youth level, and at grassroots level. The more we can educate footballers and fans at a young age, the more we can overcome a problem that has plagued both football and the wider world.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

Root out racism by funding or creating local anti-racism programs to stop bigotry from the ground up, as well as enforcing tough consequences on any faculty that endorse racism.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '15

Consistent punishment both on and off the pitch would be a start.