UEFA’s top brass, spearheaded by president Michel Platini, will descend on Malta this week to participate in the Top Executive Programme (TEP) and Executive Committee meetings.
Having been entrusted with the organisation of these prestigious events last year, the Malta FA are putting the final touches to their preparations as most of the 150 visiting delegates are expected to arrive tomorrow ahead of the start of the two-day TEP discussion on Tuesday morning followed by the Exco meeting. Both meets are being staged at a local five-star hotel.
Launched 10 years ago, UEFA’s TEP operates on the strategic cross-road between football politics and football development. The TEP comprises the presidents and general secretaries of the 54 national associations in UEFA’s fold and the European body’s top officials.
Norman Darmanin Demajo, MFA president, explained that the local football body received the green light to host these events on the back of its excellent organisation of last year’s UEFA U-17 Championship, won by England.
“It was after the successful UEFA U-17 tournament last year that UEFA, through Michel Platini, informed us that they were going to entrust us with the organisation of the TEP meeting,” Darmanin Demajo told The Sunday Times of Malta.
“At the TEP meeting, held every two years, the UEFA president meets the top officials of the national associations in an informal way.
“The representatives of UEFA’s 54 member associations are divided into three language groups before coming together for the final round of discussions.
“A lot of interesting ideas have emerged from past TEP meets, including the centralisation of media rights of national team qualifiers.”
UEFA’s decision to hold these meetings in Malta is further testament to their faith in the Malta FA.
“It’s an honour for us to be hosting these important meetings,” Darmanin Demajo said.
“We are confident that we can do the job in an excellent manner.”
The TEP and Exco meetings come at a delicate time for the world of football and UEFA after Platini declared his intention to contest next year’s FIFA presidential election following Sepp Blatter’s decision to lay down his mandate.
Heeding UEFA’s call, Darmanin Demajo had played a prominent role in Jordanian Prince Ali’s campaign prior to the election last May but Platini’s decision to run for FIFA president has altered the scenario.
Asked whether the Malta FA have discussed the FIFA presidency issue in light of Prince Ali’s announcement that he is rejoining the race, Darmanin Demajo opted for caution.
“The TEP is expected to discuss the FIFA presidency and everyone will have a chance to express himself,” Darmanin Demajo said.
“The MFA is willing to wait until after the deadline for nominations on October 26 before revisiting the matter.”
Apart from the election for FIFA president on February 26, the competitions of the national teams and other topics related to incentives offered by UEFA are also expected to be discussed at the TEP meeting.
One of the most eagerly-awaited appointments on the agenda is the traditional friendly match between the presidents and general secretaries of the associations which will be played behind closed doors.
On Wednesday, the MFA will host a gala dinner for the foreign guests with the UEFA Exco meeting commencing the following day.
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli are expected to attend the Exco meeting in Malta after being nominated by the European Club Association (ECA) as its representatives in UEFA’s top organ.
Bjorn Vassallo, the MFA general secretary, echoed Darmanin Demajo’s delight at UEFA’s faith in the Maltese association to organise these high-profile meetings.
“The MFA administration is very satisfied that, in a short period of time, we are organising another two important events on UEFA’s calendar,” Vassallo said.
“This is another opportunity to further raise the profile of Maltese football and an excellent advert for our country.
“Although we are one of the smallest associations within UEFA, we are still being given recognition on a constant basis and this does credit to all those involved in local football.”
Vassallo added that the MFA’s visibility has grown significantly in the last few years.
“We have strengthened our international relations and this is helping us to keep evolving in various sectors apart from the administrative side,” Vassallo said.