UEFA Executive Committee concludes meeting in VeniceDecember 9, 2011 - 10:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UEFA Executive Committee concluded its one-day meeting in Venice, Italy, the last such gathering to be held in 2011 by European football's top decision-making body. Chaired by UEFA President Michel Platini, the Executive Committee listened to the summary of a number of issues that were discussed at the strategy meeting in Cyprus in September with the 53 UEFA member national associations. The Executive Committee thus decided to approve the expansion of the UEFA Women's EURO final tournament from 12 to 16 teams as from 2017. It also approved the increase from four to eight teams of the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship final tournament. The Executive Committee approved the proposal of the UEFA HatTrick Committee relating to the UEFA HatTrick III regulations for the assistance program's 2012–16 cycle. HatTrick is the name given to the program that redistributes revenues generated from the UEFA EUROs among UEFA's 53 member associations for investment back into football. In addition, the Executive Committee chose Belgium as the hosts of UEFA Futsal EURO 2014. Finally, the Executive Committee approved the autonomous agreement regarding the EU Social Dialogue that brings together the parties of UEFA, the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), the European Club Association (ECA) and FIFPro Division Europe. The main element of Social Dialogue is a means for organizations, representing employer and employees, to get together to agree employment and social conditions. The main element for football involves the minimum requirements for player contracts in Europe. Before the agreement can be implemented it must, however, be approved by each party's appropriate decision-making bodies, so it will be submitted to the UEFA Congress in March 2012. The date provisionally set for a possible signing ceremony is April 2012 in Brussels, UEFA said on its website. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Russia accuses West of preparing invasion of CSTO countries NATO is preparing an invasion of the CSTO countries, the number of provocations in the air is growing, Sergei Shoigu has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. |