Champions of Europe 2022/23

Champions of Europe 2021/22

OUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

We invest the earnings generated by our competitions into five programmes, each offering specific types of support to our 55 member associations.

In the aftermath of Türkiye’s largest earthquake in almost a century, the European football community showed its solidarity with both the Turkish Football Federation and humanitarian organisations.

In the early hours of 6 February 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria, followed within less than 24 hours by a second measuring 7.7. The effects were catastrophic, with almost 60,000 losing their lives, more than 120,000 injured and an estimated 1.5 million people left homeless. The European football family, including UEFA, national associations, the UEFA Foundation for Children and commercial partners, united to support both the immediate emergency response and long-term rebuilding projects.

Immediately after the disaster, UEFA invited all its member associations to contribute to a solidarity fund. Within weeks, 42 associations had committed nearly €900,000, of which €660,000 was provided to Türkiye through the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), a UEFA member since 1962, and €217,500 to Syria through the ICRC.

In addition, UEFA provided €150,000 through its emergency fund, which was established in the 2010/11 season to help associations repair football infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, or maintain football activities until the facilities are rebuilt.

“Our earthquake-affected citizens, who clung to life tightly, are now forgetting those painful days to some extent and looking to the future with hope,” said Mehmet Büyükekşi, president of the TFF. “I would like to thank UEFA, especially president Aleksander Čeferin, who shared our country's pain and provided moral and material support during this process that deeply affected us all, as well as the national associations of Europe and all the associations from many parts of the world who offered us their support. I hope that these disasters will never happen again in any country in the world.”

The UEFA Foundation for Children allocated an additional €50,000 to two non-governmental organisations, both working on the frontlines of the emergency relief operation in southern Türkiye and Syria: Bonyan and Team International Assistance for Integration (TIAFI). With the UEFA Champions League final staged in Istanbul just four months later, the foundation also encouraged fans to donate to the earthquake recovery operation, either through QR codes or ‘tap-to-donate’ terminals set up by Mastercard at official sites across the Turkish capital.

In the stadium itself, commercial partner Mastercard’s player mascot activation gave several children directly impacted by the disaster the unforgettable chance of walking hand in hand with Inter Milan and Manchester City players onto the pitch. FedEx Express, meanwhile, invited the UEFA Foundation for Children partner Bonyan to select three children to do likewise with the match officials. FedEx has also provided funding to Bonyan through its ‘Championing an inclusive future through football’ programme, which aims to promote well-being and social cohesion by bringing football to 4,000 Turkish and refugee children across the cities of Istanbul and Mardin.

After the final, the foundation and Mastercard teamed up with Save the Children Türkiye to organise the Pitches of Hope project. By the end of 2023, the initiative is expected to have restored football pitches in some of the worstaffected regions, such as Nurdağı (Gaziantep), Antakya (Hatay) and Adıyaman.

“We know that the ability to play with friends and loved ones allows children to take a break from their new realities,” said Oben Coban, the government relations, safety and security director for Save the Children Türkiye. “The pitches will provide children with the safe spaces for fun, play and community they need at such a challenging time.”

FOOTBALL RALLIES FOR TüRKIYE AND SYRIA

In the aftermath of Türkiye’s largest earthquake in almost a century, the European football community showed its solidarity with both the Turkish Football Federation and humanitarian organisations.

In the early hours of 6 February 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria, followed within less than 24 hours by a second measuring 7.7. The effects were catastrophic, with almost 60,000 losing their lives, more than 120,000 injured and an estimated 1.5 million people left homeless. The European football family, including UEFA, national associations, the UEFA Foundation for Children and commercial partners, united to support both the immediate emergency response and long-term rebuilding projects.

Immediately after the disaster, UEFA invited all its member associations to contribute to a solidarity fund. Within weeks, 42 associations had committed nearly €900,000, of which €660,000 was provided to Türkiye through the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), a UEFA member since 1962, and €217,500 to Syria through the ICRC.

In addition, UEFA provided €150,000 through its emergency fund, which was established in the 2010/11 season to help associations repair football infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, or maintain football activities until the facilities are rebuilt.

“Our earthquake-affected citizens, who clung to life tightly, are now forgetting those painful days to some extent and looking to the future with hope,” said Mehmet Büyükekşi, president of the TFF. “I would like to thank UEFA, especially president Aleksander Čeferin, who shared our country's pain and provided moral and material support during this process that deeply affected us all, as well as the national associations of Europe and all the associations from many parts of the world who offered us their support. I hope that these disasters will never happen again in any country in the world.”

The UEFA Foundation for Children allocated an additional €50,000 to two non-governmental organisations, both working on the frontlines of the emergency relief operation in southern Türkiye and Syria: Bonyan and Team International Assistance for Integration (TIAFI). With the UEFA Champions League final staged in Istanbul just four months later, the foundation also encouraged fans to donate to the earthquake recovery operation, either through QR codes or ‘tap-to-donate’ terminals set up by Mastercard at official sites across the Turkish capital.

In the stadium itself, commercial partner Mastercard’s player mascot activation gave several children directly impacted by the disaster the unforgettable chance of walking hand in hand with Inter Milan and Manchester City players onto the pitch. FedEx Express, meanwhile, invited the UEFA Foundation for Children partner Bonyan to select three children to do likewise with the match officials. FedEx has also provided funding to Bonyan through its ‘Championing an inclusive future through football’ programme, which aims to promote well-being and social cohesion by bringing football to 4,000 Turkish and refugee children across the cities of Istanbul and Mardin.

After the final, the foundation and Mastercard teamed up with Save the Children Türkiye to organise the Pitches of Hope project. By the end of 2023, the initiative is expected to have restored football pitches in some of the worst affected regions, such as Nurdağı (Gaziantep), Antakya (Hatay) and Adıyaman.

“We know that the ability to play with friends and loved ones allows children to take a break from their new realities,” said Oben Coban, the government relations, safety and security director for Save the Children Türkiye. “The pitches will provide children with the safe spaces for fun, play and community they need at such a challenging time.”

Why did Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Supporters Direct Europe (SD Europe) merge in January 2023?

The importance of having a united voice for fans was demonstrated by supporters’ role in stopping the ill-fated ’European super league’ proposal. Formally merging FSE and SD Europe into one organisation, after a decade of collaboration on specific issues, was a logical next step. Pooling our collective expertise and resources has established a single recognised entity for stakeholders to engage with. It has made the European fan movement stronger than ever.

How does FSE’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UEFA shift the dynamics in relations between fans and governing bodies?

It’s an exciting milestone. Too often, fans have remained on the sidelines, advocating for our voices to be heard on matters that directly impact us. UEFA has engaged with supporters’ organisations since 2008 but our MoU recognises that fans bring valuable experience and expertise to the table.

The document outlines our respective mandates within the European football ecosystem and our joint, unwavering commitment to the European sports model. We may retain differing views on some topics but we are both committed to fostering more inclusive, constructive dialogue between fans and governing bodies. Today, FSE is involved in two UEFA committees and has a visible role at key UEFA governance events, including the Convention on the Future of European Football.

What are the big issues facing European supporters?

These are challenging times for fans. Ensuring everyone can follow their club or national team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, regardless of gender, origin, abilities or sexual orientation, is top priority for both FSE and UEFA. For example, all match organisers should be guaranteeing stadium access to toilets, food and drinking water.

In terms of governance, protecting the game’s integrity from threats like the ’European super league’ proposal and multi-club ownership structures is vital, alongside our advocacy for member-run clubs and more structured dialogue between fans and football stakeholders. We’ve seen some progress here, but more is needed. As a first step, supporter liaison officers should be fully integrated into matchday operations. At a time when bans on away travel in Europe are unfortunately on the rise, we also want to prevent unjustified restrictions on fans’ rights to freedom of movement.

Where has collaboration already delivered real-life results?

We’re making an impact in several areas. Today, FSE and UEFA co-lead a joint visiting fans sector working group that meets regularly to assess host stadium conditions and address recurrent concerns around UEFA club competition matches. FSE has greater involvement in preparations for all UEFA club finals, with the deployment of host stadium staff in 2023 based on our recommendation.

We also work with UEFA to safeguard supporters’ rights to protection, ensuring the needs and viewpoints of fans are a key consideration in planning and implementation. The publication of the UEFA EURO 2024 human rights declaration, following extensive consultation, also recognises the positive contribution that fans can make beyond tournaments.

How does FSE work with UEFA’s 55 member associations to improve the supporter experience across Europe?

FSE works with associations in different ways. Together with the UEFA Academy, we play a lead role in training Europe’s network of supporter liaison officers. We also provide expertise to fan embassies, which offer support services to tens of thousands of supporters travelling to away matches, including EURO 2024 in Germany. FSE’s close relations with associations are also critical to the success of our Erasmus+ project, Future of Football, launched in 2023 to strengthen dialogue with young supporters’ organisations across the continent.

Why did Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Supporters Direct Europe (SD Europe) merge in January 2023?

The importance of having a united voice for fans was demonstrated by supporters’ role in stopping the ill-fated ’European super league’ proposal. Formally merging FSE and SD Europe into one organisation, after a decade of collaboration on specific issues, was a logical next step. Pooling our collective expertise and resources has established a single recognised entity for stakeholders to engage with. It has made the European fan movement stronger than ever.

How does FSE’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UEFA shift the dynamics in relations between fans and governing bodies?

It’s an exciting milestone. Too often, fans have remained on the sidelines, advocating for our voices to be heard on matters that directly impact us. UEFA has engaged with supporters’ organisations since 2008 but our MoU recognises that fans bring valuable experience and expertise to the table.

The document outlines our respective mandates within the European football ecosystem and our joint, unwavering commitment to the European sports model. We may retain differing views on some topics but we are both committed to fostering more inclusive, constructive dialogue between fans and governing bodies. Today, FSE is involved in two UEFA committees and has a visible role at key UEFA governance events, including the Convention on the Future of European Football.

What are the big issues facing European supporters?

These are challenging times for fans. Ensuring everyone can follow their club or national team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, regardless of gender, origin, abilities or sexual orientation, is top priority for both FSE and UEFA. For example, all match organisers should be guaranteeing stadium access to toilets, food and drinking water.

In terms of governance, protecting the game’s integrity from threats like the ’European super league’ proposal and multi-club ownership structures is vital, alongside our advocacy for member-run clubs and more structured dialogue between fans and football stakeholders. We’ve seen some progress here, but more is needed. As a first step, supporter liaison officers should be fully integrated into matchday operations. At a time when bans on away travel in Europe are unfortunately on the rise, we also want to prevent unjustified restrictions on fans’ rights to freedom of movement.

Where has collaboration already delivered real-life results?

We’re making an impact in several areas. Today, FSE and UEFA co-lead a joint visiting fans sector working group that meets regularly to assess host stadium conditions and address recurrent concerns around UEFA club competition matches. FSE has greater involvement in preparations for all UEFA club finals, with the deployment of host stadium staff in 2023 based on our recommendation.

We also work with UEFA to safeguard supporters’ rights to protection, ensuring the needs and viewpoints of fans are a key consideration in planning and implementation. The publication of the UEFA EURO 2024 human rights declaration, following extensive consultation, also recognises the positive contribution that fans can make beyond tournaments.

How does FSE work with UEFA’s 55 member associations to improve the supporter experience across Europe?

FSE works with associations in different ways. Together with the UEFA Academy, we play a lead role in training Europe’s network of supporter liaison officers. We also provide expertise to fan embassies, which offer support services to tens of thousands of supporters travelling to away matches, including EURO 2024 in Germany. FSE’s close relations with associations are also critical to the success of our Erasmus+ project, Future of Football, launched in 2023 to strengthen dialogue with young supporters’ organisations across the continent.