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Manchester United FC

Formed: 1878
Nickname: The Red Devils

UEFA club competition honours (runners-up in brackets)• European Champion Clubs' Cup: 1968, 1999, 2008, (2009, 2011)
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1991
• UEFA Super Cup: 1991, (1999), (2008)

Domestic honours (most recent triumph in brackets)• League title: 19 (2011)
• FA Cup: 11 (2004)
• League Cup: 4 (2010)

History• United were formed in 1878 as Newton Heath L&YR FC, a railway works side which joined the English Football League in 1892. The club claimed a place in the First Division in 1906, and in 1907/08 they brought home their first championship before an inaugural FA Cup win in 1909. The next year United moved to Old Trafford and reclaimed the league trophy in their first season at the ground.

• A period of relative mediocrity followed, but the club were transformed forever by the appointment of Matt Busby as manager in 1945. The Scot developed a team of youngsters who went on to become English champions three times in the 1950s, yet the Busby Babes era ended prematurely with the Munich air disaster of 6 February 1958 which claimed the lives of 21 people, including eight players.

• Busby himself had to recover from serious injuries before rebuilding the squad. The FA Cup was recaptured in 1963 after a 15-year gap, then the league in 1964/65 and 1966/67. Busby's crowning glory came when a team featuring Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law became the first English side to lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup, although the injured Law missed the victory against SL Benfica in the 1968 Wembley final.

• Busby finally stood down in 1971 and proved a hard act to follow until the arrival of Alex Ferguson in 1986, the latter's first trophy arriving with the 1990 FA Cup. United followed up with the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup the next season.

• After bringing in Eric Cantona, Sir Alex's team ended a 26-year wait by claiming an eighth league title in the inaugural Premier League season of 1992/93. The new competition suited United, who went on to become a hugely dominant force in the domestic game while returning to the European summit in their treble-winning 1998/99 campaign and again in 2007/08. By winning the league for the 19th time in 2010/11, the Red Devils surpassed Liverpool FC as the most successful club in English football.

Club recordsMost appearances: Ryan Giggs (909)*
Most goals: Bobby Charlton (249)
Record victory: United 10-0 RSC Anderlecht (European Champion Clubs' Cup, 26 September 1956)
Record defeat: 7-0 on three occasions, most recently at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (League, 26 December 1931)

Fit Fletcher keen to show United all-round worth

Manchester United FC's Darren Fletcher tells the latest edition of Champions Matchday about his return from illness and what it takes to become an all-round midfielder.

When Manchester United FC announced in December 2011 that Darren Fletcher would be taking an "extended break" from football because he was suffering from a bowel disease, many feared the Scotland captain had played his last game.

So that is why there was such a huge cheer at Old Trafford on matchday one when Fletcher came on for Paul Scholes in the second half against Galatasaray AŞ. "The condition never goes away and that's the thing I have to live with," Fletcher said of his illness. "Every day is a battle for me. I have to watch my diet and take certain medication or it could come back again."

Fletcher's return is perfectly timed. United have many creative players – Shinji Kagawa, Tom Cleverley and Ryan Giggs among them – but their midfield has been crying out for an organiser in the Roy Keane mould. A fit Fletcher, who admits he was a target for Keane's famously fierce, yet constructive, criticism whenever they trained together at United, could suit the job.

The Scottish international has been at the club since he was 11. Given he is the epitome of professional focus – his entire lifetime consumption of alcohol amounts to half a pint of cider – it is easy to see why Sir Alex Ferguson puts so much faith in him. Now 28, Fletcher made his United debut in 2003 yet came into his own in the 2008/09 season, when he started 42 games. Since then he has become increasingly influential and more rounded as a player.

"I decided I needed to see more of the ball and get more goals," he said. "I knew I could be a good team-mate, but I could also run beyond the strikers, make passes and get goals. I could become an all-rounder and not just think about what I'd do when we didn't have the ball."

Fletcher's hero as a child was Fernando Redondo, whom he watched hold Argentina's midfield together at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Not an obvious role model for a young footballer, perhaps, but it is telling that Redondo, an elegant defensive midfielder who added an attacking dimension to his game, caught Fletcher's eye.

Another key part of his make-up is his big-match temperament. He insists he gets excited about the marquee fixtures, not nervous, and is proud that no player has ever "torn him to shreds" in a high-profile game. Yet the most important ties have eluded him.

Suspension kept him out of the 2009 UEFA Champions League final defeat by FC Barcelona and illness cut short his campaign two years later, sidelining him for the final against the same opponents. Could Fletcher be United's missing ingredient? If he stays fit and well, we may be about to find out.

Season over for United's Fletcher after surgery

Manchester United FC will be without Darren Fletcher until the summer after he had surgery to cure the bowel condition that caused him to miss a large part of last season.

Manchester United FC's Scottish international midfielder Darren Fletcher has had surgery to resolve his ulcerative colitis condition and will miss the remainder of the season.

The Premier League leaders said the operation had been planned to take place at an "optimal time" and "in the best interests of his long-term health", adding: "We look forward to him returning next season with this problem firmly behind him."

Fletcher's struggle with the chronic inflammatory bowel condition caused the 28-year-old to take a break from first-team football between December 2011 and his comeback appearance against Galatasaray AŞ in September. He has featured ten times for Manchester United this season – including five UEFA Champions League group stage outings – and on three occasions for Scotland.

"Darren has trained with the team regularly this season and has been available for selection right up to the operation," United said.

Ronaldo reunion takes top billing at Bernabéu

Real Madrid CF and Manchester United FC meet in a mouthwatering last-16 showdown lent extra spice by the presence of Old Trafford old boy Cristiano Ronaldo in the home ranks.

Real Madrid CF and Manchester United FC will square off in a much-anticipated last-16 showdown lent extra spice by the presence of Old Trafford old boy Cristiano Ronaldo in the home ranks.

• The sight of Ronaldo facing United for the first time since his departure adds another layer of intrigue to a contest pairing clubs who have met four times previously in the European Cup – with the winners going on to lift the trophy on three occasions.

• It is also an opportunity for José Mourinho to renew his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson. Although United reached the round of 16 as Group H winners, Group D runners-up Madrid have won eight of their last nine UEFA Champions League home fixtures and can draw further encouragement from the fact United have conceded first in their last five European outings.

Previous meetings
• Madrid came out on top in three of the clubs' four previous encounters – in the semi-finals in 1956/57 and quarter-finals in 1999/2000 and 2002/03 – with United prevailing in the 1967/68 semi-finals.

• Madrid triumphed 6-5 on aggregate in their most recent encounter. Vicente del Bosque's side emerged 3-1 winners from the first leg at the Bernabéu, Luís Figo and Raúl González (2) scoring before Ruud van Nistelrooy pulled a goal back.

• The Brazilian Ronaldo struck a hat-trick in the Old Trafford return where United fought back to win 4-3 through two goals from substitute David Beckham on a night where Van Nistelrooy and Iván Helguera (own goal) also found the net.

• The lineups from that last meeting on 23 April 2003 were:
Man Utd: Barthez, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre (P Neville 79), Verón (Beckham 63), Butt, Keane (Fortune 82), Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Solskjær.
Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Zidane, McManaman (Portillo 69), Figo (Pavón 88), Makelele, Ronaldo (Solari 67), Guti.

• In the 1999/2000 quarter-finals, eventual champions Madrid advanced 3-2 on aggregate as they followed up a goalless home draw by taking a 3-0 lead in Manchester through Roy Keane's own goal and a Raúl double, before Beckham and Paul Scholes replied for the then holders. Ryan Giggs and Iker Casillas also featured.

• United have a history of comebacks in this fixture. After George Best had scored the only goal of their 1967/68 semi-final first leg at Old Trafford, they trailed Madrid 3-1 at half-time in the return but goals by David Sadler and Bill Foulkes earned a 4-3 aggregate victory and United went on to lift the trophy for the first time.

• Madrid won the first-ever meeting 5-3 on aggregate to reach the 1956/57 final. The Merengues overcame Matt Busby's men 3-1 at home and then led 2-0 away before United battled back to 2-2.

Match background
• Madrid have already got the better of United's neighbours in this season's group stage. Mourinho's side earned a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Manchester City FC at home on matchday one, Ronaldo delivering the 90th-minute winner, then drew 1-1 away.

• The Spanish champions' home record against England clubs is W6 D4 L2. The last English visitors to beat them were Liverpool FC, 1-0 victors at this stage in 2008/09.

• United exited last term's UEFA Europa League after home and away defeats by Athletic Club, and also lost their most recent UEFA Champions League encounter with Liga opposition – 3-1 against FC Barcelona in the 2011 final at Wembley.

• United's record away to Liga clubs is W2 D8 L10. Their last success came at Valencia CF in the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League group stage, Javier Hernández scoring the only goal.

• Madrid lost the 1981 European Champion Clubs' Cup final to Liverpool and the 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup final to Chelsea FC.

• United lost UEFA Champions League finals against Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 having beaten the same opponents in the 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup final. Sir Alex oversaw Aberdeen FC's 2-1 defeat of Madrid in the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup final – his first European trophy.

Team ties
• Mourinho has faced United twice before at this stage of the UEFA Champions League, starting with Porto's success in the 2003/04 round of 16 en route to winning the trophy. A side including Ricardo Carvalho earned a 2-1 advantage at home before securing a 3-2 aggregate win as Costinha cancelled out a Scholes goal with a 90th-minute equaliser in Manchester.

• Mourinho's FC Internazionale Milano lost to United in the 2008/09 last 16. After a goalless first leg, Inter succumbed 2-0 at Old Trafford, Nemanja Vidić and Ronaldo scoring.

• In between Mourinho enjoyed a good run of results against United as Chelsea manager, his Stamford Bridge reign starting with a 1-0 home victory over Sir Alex's United on 15 August 2004. During three years in London, Mourinho's record against United was W5 D4 L1, with the FA Community Shield in August 2007 counting as a draw having finished 1-1 before United prevailed on penalties.

• Mourinho's Chelsea team, including Michael Essien, were 1-0 extra-time winners against United in the 2007 FA Cup final. Rio Ferdinand, Vidić, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Scholes, Giggs and Wayne Rooney all played for United.

• Ronaldo spent six seasons with United between 2003 and 2009. He scored 118 goals in 292 games, winning one UEFA Champions League and three Premier League titles, as well as one FA Cup and two League Cups.

• Ronaldo played in two UEFA Champions League finals with United. He scored in the 1-1 draw against Carvalho and Essien's Chelsea in Moscow in 2008, where United triumphed on penalties although Ronaldo failed from the spot. Twelve months later, his final United appearance ended in defeat by Barcelona in Rome.

• Essien was in the Olympique Lyonnais side that met United in the 2003/04 group stage, earning a 2-2 home draw before a 2-1 away loss.

• Xabi Alonso had to wait until his fifth and final season with Liverpool, 2008/09, before tasting victory over United – his solitary success in seven attempts. Álvaro Arbeloa lost all three games against United as a Liverpool player.

• Luka Modrić won none of his eight meetings with United while at Tottenham Hotspur FC between 2008 and 2012. In his first campaign he lost the League Cup final on penalties and scored to put Spurs 2-0 up at Old Trafford in a league match they eventually lost 5-2.

• Kaká was in the Milan side that overcame United in the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League round of 16 and, two seasons later, scored three goals as Milan defeated United 5-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

• As a Club Atlético de Madrid player, David de Gea conceded 11 goals in five straight derby losses to the Merengues.

• Spain's Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Alonso won the 2010 FIFA World Cup final at the expense of Robin van Persie's Netherlands. The following season Van Persie faced Barcelona with Arsenal FC in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, scoring in a 2-1 first-leg victory but receiving a red card in a 3-1 second-leg defeat.

• Wayne Rooney was in the England side beaten 4-1 by Sami Khedira and Mesut Özil's Germany in the round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup. Khedira and Özil had previously helped Germany win the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a 4-1 final triumph over England in which Özil scored.

• Jonny Evans's Northern Ireland frustrated Ronaldo and Pepe's Portugal in a 1-1 2014 World Cup qualifying draw in Porto in October.

• Brazil's Rafael made his senior international debut in a May 2012 friendly against Denmark alongside Marcelo.

Silva goals aid Manchester City cause

David Silva earned Manchester City FC their sixth win in seven league games, Loïc Rémy scored a debut goal for Queens Park Rangers FC and Liverpool FC put five past Norwich City FC.

Manchester City FC moved to within four points of the Premier League summit after a 2-0 home victory against Fulham FC, on a day when Loïc Rémy struck on his debut for Queens Park Rangers FC.

Roberto Mancini's team recorded their sixth win in seven top-flight games thanks to David Silva, who scored the first of his two goals after just 95 seconds. Leaders Manchester United FC can restore their seven-point cushion on Sunday, when Arsenal FC face Chelsea FC, at Tottenham Hotspur FC. 

Rémy, a €9.5m signing from Olympique de Marseille earlier in the week, took 14 minutes to open his QPR account, only for Joe Cole to earn hosts West Ham United FC a point in the east-west London derby.

Harry Redknapp's bottom-placed side are four points behind three clubs, one of whom, Wigan Athletic FC, lost 3-2 at home to Sunderland AFC. Another, Reading FC, came from behind to prevail 2-1 at Newcastle United FC, who are nervously looking over their shoulders in 16th position.

Elsewhere, Swansea City AFC (3-1) and Liverpool FC (5-0) recorded home victories against Stoke City FC and Norwich City FC respectively. West Bromwich Albion FC fought back from two goals down to deny relegation-threatened Aston Villa FC a vital win in the late fixture.

Team of 2012 reflect on a brilliant year

"It's an honour for me to be voted in this team of great players," said FC Barcelona's Xavi Hernández as UEFA.com users' chosen XI reflect on 12 months of footballing wonders.

Five members of Spain's UEFA EURO 2012-winning squad are represented in the UEFA.com users' Team of the Year for 2012, with 5.3 million votes cast in this year's poll. Here the final XI – in users' favoured 4-4-2 formation – tell UEFA.com about their successes in 2012.

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF)
In these last few years we've become European and world champions, and now people demand that from us again. But people should not forget that it's not that easy. There are other national teams that are changing and developing their squads as well, which is also a factor. Fortunately, though, I think we still have what it takes for a long time yet.

Defender: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF)
We are aware of what is at stake. And if you impress individually, it is because of the collective work. And, in this regard, we are happy with all the defensive line in general. Not only myself and Piqué, but also the full-backs and the work done by every team-mate who gives everything on the pitch.

Defender: Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona)
There are many things behind the scenes that people don't see. People only see the final product that happens in the stadium, but behind that there is a lot of work, a lot of suffering and sacrifice. There's a lot of desire to win, and in the end there is a final result that people can see. But behind that, a lot of work.

Defender: Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München)
I know that I can play at the top level on either flank. I have always shown that I can switch sides for a game, whether it's with Bayern or the national team. I have proven that I can switch from right to left for a game and vice versa. But in the end it's the coach's decision.

Defender: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain FC)
I always try to do the simplest thing possible and bring security to my team, because there's no point in a central defender going forward and wanting to score goals, that isn't my job – my job is to defend. I hope that as the year goes on I can maintain my form and the same consistency as ever, so I can continue to receive such praise.

Midfielder: Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona)
I'm very happy and proud to have won that treble. Two EUROs and a World Cup has never been done before – it's something historic. Nowadays, in football, it’s very difficult to go all the way until the end, so we'll give our very best to reach another final.

Midfielder: Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona)
I'm very proud. It's an honour for me to be voted in this team of great players at both European and world level. I just want to keep doing my very best so I can keep winning and achieving big things with my club and national team. I am going through a great time in this world of football and I want it to continue.

Midfielder: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
Well, you need to know a bit of everything. You need to know how to defend, how to attack, how to direct the game, win the ball and score goals – a bit of everything. I just try to give my best in training to be fit for the matches. The older you get it becomes more and more important to train well and focus on every single detail, just to stay in your best form as long as possible.

Midfielder: Mesut Özil (Real Madrid CF)
I live in Madrid, the team supports me a lot, the coach has confidence in me, so I can express my full potential on the pitch. For the national team I also have the confidence of the coach and the team is there for me – I enjoy it a lot and am very proud to play for Germany.

Forward: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Every year I try to develop further and become a better player. I had the good fortune to score many goals but, like I always say, it's not my objective to increase the number of goals every year. My real objective is to win more trophies and that's what I intend to do.

Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF)
I will always have responsibility, but not much pressure. We can always improve in every department. I won't single out one area, because I think the most important thing is to always do well and work more and more.

Away-day tests for illustrious three

A Dutch 'Klassieker' headlines the resumption of the Eredivisie on a weekend when Manchester United FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC and Real Madrid CF face exacting away trips.

Germany: Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Eintracht Frankfurt (Saturday 15.30)
When second-placed Leverkusen host Eintracht, who occupy fourth spot in the Bundesliga, it will be a meeting of two sides that have exceeded expectations so far this term. What is shaping up to be a promising season for Eintracht began with a 2-1 win against Saturday's opponents on the opening weekend of the campaign.

"The second half of the season will be more difficult for us," warned the visitors' coach Armin Veh, whose charges earned as many points, 30, as champions Borussia Dortmund in their first 17 games. "We have a team with perspective. Our first goal is to avoid relegation – that is my only goal. We will approach every game in a way that allows us to reach 40 points. If we get there, we can talk about the future."

Italy: ACF Fiorentina v SSC Napoli (Sunday 12.30)
Having ended 2012 with three successive wins, ACF Fiorentina have started the new year with as many defeats. Beaten in Serie A by Pescara Calcio and Udinese Calcio, the Viola were eliminated from the Coppa Italia in midweek by visiting AS Roma. Their quest for redemption begins against a Napoli outfit two places and five points better off in third. "We are missing a bit of luck," said Fiorentina midfielder Alberto Aquilani. "We are still playing good football, but everything seems to go wrong on the pitch. We need to react fast and the game against Napoli should give us a chance to show our quality."

Netherlands: AFC Ajax v Feyenoord (Sunday 14.30)
The Eredivisie returns from its winter break with an encounter between third and fourth in De Klassieker (The Classic). Both clubs are on 37 points, three behind leaders PSV Eindhoven and FC Twente. Ronald Koeman's youthful Feyenoord are proving that last season's runners-up finish was no fluke as they head into the first of two matches likely to demonstrate the strength of their title credentials – they host Twente next weekend after this visit to the Amsterdam ArenA.

"We are only three points behind, despite the millions spent by PSV and FC Twente," said the Rotterdammers' midfielder Jordy Clasie. "We are proving how far you can get with players from the youth academy when you give them time to develop. PSV and Twente might have the best players, but we have the best team."

England: Tottenham Hotspur FC v Manchester United FC (Sunday 17.00)
Gareth Bale has cited Tottenham's surprise 3-2 victory at Old Trafford in September as the launchpad for what the north London club hope will be a successful pursuit of a UEFA Champions League berth. Bale, who scored a superb solo goal in the match, said: "That win stood us in good stead. It gave us confidence and belief to do what we've done so far this season."

A similar result at White Hart Lane would be a significant shot in the arm as André Villas-Boas's side hunt down Chelsea FC, two points better off in third. United, who have won nine of their last ten top-flight games, have not lost both league matches in a campaign to Spurs since 1989/90.

Spain: Valencia CF v Real Madrid CF (Sunday 21.00)
A glance at the Liga table from this stage last term will tell you that Valencia and eventual champions Madrid were performing much better than they are now. Then the leaders ahead of FC Barcelona and this Sunday's hosts, the Merengeus are currently third, 18 points off top spot ahead of their trip to Ernesto Valverde's seventh-placed team.

"With our performances in the league this season we understand that people are critical of us," Madrid captain Iker Casillas said. "Winning the championship is obviously a big ask now, but for ourselves, for the fans who support us and for the badge on our chest, we must continue to fight until the very end."

France: FC Girondins de Bordeaux v Paris Saint-Germain FC (Sunday 21.00)
Held to a goalless draw at home last weekend by AC Ajaccio, Paris Saint-Germain FC will hope to make amends against fourth-placed Bordeaux, who are unbeaten in eight. The capital club, second in the standings and minus the suspended Thiago Motta, are aiming for their first win at the Stade Chaban-Delmas since 2005 as they seek to bridge the two-point gap to Ligue 1 pacesetters Olympique Lyonnais.

Alex, part of a PSG rearguard which has kept a clean sheet in each of the last five league matches, said: "We know it's always difficult to play against Bordeaux. They defend very well and are very dangerous on the counterattack."

Pogba fires Juventus to four-goal victory

Two long-distance strikes from Paul Pogba set Juventus on their way to a 4-0 home triumph over Udinese Calcio and a five-point cushion at the top of Serie A, after S.S. Lazio were held.

Juventus' lead at the top of Serie A stands at five points after they capitalised on a 2-2 draw for S.S. Lazio by overwhelming Udinese Calcio.

Following the Biancocelesti's brush with defeat in Sicily – Hernanes earning Lazio a share of the spoils against lowly US Città di Palermo with a late penalty – the leaders took advantage, emphatically registering their first league win of 2013.

Paul Pogba scored twice in a 4-0 home win, the first an unstoppable right-footed shot beyond Danielle Padelli and in off the underside of the crossbar four minutes before the break. The 19-year-old's second, a low drive from distance midway through the second period, was followed by a Mirko Vučinić effort on the turn and a smart finish from substitute Alessandro Matri.

Lazio took the lead through Sergio Floccari's early header, but fell behind to two goals in as many minutes. Egidio Raul Arévalo Rios (70) levelled, converting Andrea Dossena's ball to the back post, and when Paulo Dybala swiftly turned the match on its head, Palermo had high hopes of a first win since 24 November. Hernanes, though, ensured they will have to wait another week at least.

Fight against corruption goes on

UEFA and its president Michel Platini have underlined their zero tolerance policy towards corruption in European football following the UEFA Executive Committee's latest meeting in Valletta, Malta.

UEFA and its president Michel Platini have underlined their zero tolerance policy towards corruption in European football. Mr Platini reiterated the European body's determination after the UEFA Executive Committee's latest meeting in Valletta, Malta, on Thursday.

Real problem
"We will use all of our strength to combat all those who corrupt the game," said Mr Platini. "If journalists know before the match who is going to win, there's no interest, and football would be killed in this way. Sincerely, it's a real problem.

Cannot be treated lightly
"Any player who is caught will never play football again. Those who corrupt football at refereeing level will never referee again. Anyone who corrupts as a president or coach will never manage or coach again. This is the will of the president and Executive Committee. We cannot treat this lightly."

Betting Fraud Detection System
UEFA has already taken measures to invest heavily in a Betting Fraud Detection System (BFDS). UEFA also monitors all UEFA matches, as well as all domestic first and second-division matches and domestic cup games. In addition, UEFA has been assisting German police in a European match-fixing investigation, and is investigating several fixtures in the European competitions.

Additional assistant referees
The European body is involved in the experiment with additional assistant referees too, as a test to potentially help the referee's decision-making process. The experiment, sanctioned by football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), is being carried out in this season's UEFA Europa League.

Time to change refereeing
"Today, when a referee takes a decision, there are 20 cameras which show the decision. Television shows errors – but we all know that the referee can't see everything. I think that it is time to change refereeing and to reflect on what refereeing is," said Mr Platini. "Sufficient referees should be deployed to cover all parts of the pitch. Today, football is the only sport where there is one referee covering the entire pitch. It is easy to show all the things that a referee can't see. One referee is not enough. Our role is to put into place a system of eyes which can cover the whole [pitch]."

2016 bid handover
The bid handover for UEFA EURO 2016 is approaching. On 15 February, three candidates to host the tournament – France, Italy and Turkey – are due to hand their bid dossiers to UEFA, with a final decision on the hosts expected on 28 May. The 2016 final round will be the first to feature 24 teams, and Mr Platini explained the reasons behind the UEFA Executive Committee's decision.

Protect the game
"The role of UEFA is to protect the game. There are technical and organisational advantages. A EURO with 24 teams can provide plenty of good teams without the level of technical quality falling," said Mr Platini, who recalled that many strong sides had missed out on final-round participation in the past. "We are also going to have a fabulous knockout round with 16 teams, which we didn't have before. This is going to give the competition more quality in technical terms."

Referee convention
Five more associations – Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova and Wales – have joined the UEFA Convention on Referee Education and Organisation, which aims to improve refereeing structures and development within the European associations. UEFA's national associations director Theodore Theodoridis has also been appointed UEFA's deputy general secretary.

First-ever Integrity Officers workshop at UEFA

The first UEFA Integrity Officers' workshop has taken place at UEFA HQ in Nyon, with the UEFA President delivering a stark warning to increase the fight against match-fixing.

The first-ever UEFA Integrity Officers' workshop finished today at UEFA headquarters with a stark warning from UEFA President Michel Platini about the dangers of match-fixing in football.

"Football, like most sporting disciplines, is in mortal danger," Mr Platini said. "The very essence of our sport is based on the integrity of results, from school sport up to the World Cup. Obviously, the credibility of every competition is affected. If the dice are loaded, what is the point of taking part or getting enthusiastic?

"Today, there is not a week that goes by without newspaper headlines which speak of a suspicion, an inquiry or an arrest linked to the integrity of our competitions. Nevertheless, I refuse to resign myself vis-a-vis this mortal danger, and I know that the entire football family is ready to counterattack."

Mr Platini said that sport by itself can do nothing against organised crime. "Sports justice authorities alone cannot confront this type of challenge with their own tools. And this is where you come into play," he told the Integrity Officers. "In each country and national association, you are there to reinforce the links between football and its disciplinary authorities and the national and continental police and judicial instances.

"You bring your knowledge of football and its actors and players to the professionals. You play a crucial role in defending our sport, in the fight against organised crime and to help bring about a cleansing of our competitions at all levels."

Earlier this year, UEFA's Executive Committee approved a report by its betting/match-fixing working group, which proposed measures that European football should take to address the threat of match-fixing – including the setting up of a network of Integrity Officers at European level.

As well as acting as liaison officers for cooperation between the football authorities and state law enforcement agencies in relation to suspected match-fixing, Integrity Officers will exchange information and experience with the UEFA administration regarding the prosecution of corrupt or criminal practices affecting football. They will monitor disciplinary proceedings and coordinate relevant action, as well as organising educational programmes for players, referees and coaches as part of an effective preventative strategy.

UEFA will make annual funds available to each national member association to help finance the position of Integrity Officer. UEFA's own Integrity Officer will work alongside their national counterpart, supporting the operation of the network and overseeing intelligence gathering and information exchange and experience.

"Our policy is one of zero tolerance to those who are caught," UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino told the seminar. "It is crucial that we protect the soul of our sport." The General Secretary emphasised the importance of cooperation between sports organisations and state authorities. "We can help the public prosecutors and authorities," said Mr Infantino, "and they can help us in exchanging information, knowing that we can be very fast in taking very strong decisions and helping them in their cases."

UEFA, INTERPOL to tackle football-related crimes

UEFA President Michel Platini has met INTERPOL secretary general Ronald K Noble, with the two bodies agreeing to further reinforce their working relationship and exchange of information.

UEFA President Michel Platini and INTERPOL secretary general Ronald K Noble identified a number of areas for cooperation between the two organisations in tackling football-related crimes, including match-fixing and violence in stadiums, during a meeting at UEFA headquarters today.

Mr Platini and Mr Noble agreed to work on a memorandum of understanding to be signed in the near future that will further reinforce the working relationship and exchange of information between the organisations.

"For UEFA, the ongoing fight against match-fixing is one of the most important priorities in my second term as UEFA President," said Mr Platini. "By agreeing to sign a memorandum of understanding with INTERPOL, and by working closely with their network and through our betting fraud detection system, the net is now tightening on those involved in match-fixing and illegal sports betting."

INTERPOL secretary general Ronald K Noble again underlined the world police body's commitment to helping stamp out all forms of criminality affecting football, in particular match-fixing.

"Clearly match-fixing is a worldwide issue," he said. "INTERPOL is ideally placed to help UEFA, FIFA and all footballing professionals tackle the issue effectively at a global level, but at the same time it is important not to lose sight of other types of crime which can affect the sport.

"Following today's meeting with the UEFA President, Michel Platini, I can confidently say that the collaboration that already exists between UEFA and INTERPOL in tackling the issue of match-fixing will become even closer," Mr Noble added.

With INTERPOL already set to provide support ahead of and during the UEFA EURO 2012 final tournament, through the deployment of major events support teams (IMESTs) to the two host countries, Poland and Ukraine, the framework is already in place for closer liaison in combating all forms of criminality to better protect the sport, as well as its players, officials and fans.

As part of the support being given by INTERPOL during UEFA EURO 2012, the IMESTs deployed to Poland and Ukraine will liaise with all 190 member countries to facilitate the real-time exchange of messages and key police intelligence, including fingerprints, wanted persons notices and data relating to stolen and lost travel documents and stolen motor vehicles.

11 values

                                                                     Football first

In everything that we do, football must always be the first and most important element that we take into
consideration.
Football is a game before being a product, a sport before being a market, a show before being a
business.

Pyramid structure and subsidiarity

At international and European level, the autonomy of
sport is reflected by the pyramid structure of football.
FIFA, UEFA and the national associations work hand in
hand,while respecting the principle of subsidiarity.
This allows us to defend the interests of football in the
best possible way.

Unity and leadership

UEFA does not operate by dictat. We will continue to show strong leadership but operate in a
spirit of consensus. In addition to the national associations, we will involve all stakeholders
(leagues, clubs, players) in the decision-making process in European football, in particular
through the Professional Football Strategy Council, so that the Executive Committee can take
the right decisions. And we will aim for closer relations with football fans, without whom there
would be no professional game.

Good governance and autonomy

UEFA and its member associations are committed to good governance. Good governance
means openness, democracy, transparency and responsibility. In this spirit, UEFA defends
the autonomy of sports structures, so that football bodies – with national associations in the
lead – are the ultimate decision-makers in matters concerning football, with no undue
interference from governments.

Grassroots football and solidarity

Football is based on the grass roots, played everywhere by men and women, boys and girls.
The top professional level is just the tip of the iceberg. UEFA will continue with, and even
strengthen solidarity, both to protect the future of football and to deliver the wider benefits that
our sport brings to society as a whole. And it is also because the strength of football lies in
its grass roots that we have to preserve the local, regional and national identities of our game,
always in accordance with the law.

Youth protection and education

As governing body of European football, UEFA has both a sporting and a moral responsibility.
The international transfer of minors entails many risks. Let's not forget that players under the
age of 18 are children or adolescents. We want to protect the future of children in football and
stop them being uprooted to foreign countries when they are much too young.

Sporting integrity and betting

Betting is a source of funding but also a risk for football, especially to the integrity of
competitions. It is only right that football obtains its fair share of income from betting.
However, our primary focus must continue to be a total commitment to protecting sporting
integrity and the proper running of our competitions, in order to preserve the true spirit of our
game.

Financial fair play and regularity of competitions

UEFA supports fair play both on and off the pitch. Financial fair play means that clubs
operate transparently and responsibly, to protect both sporting competition and the clubs
themselves. Financial fair play means clubs not getting into a spiral of debt to compete
with their rivals but rather competing with their own means, ie the resources they generate.

National teams and clubs

National team and club football are vital and complementary elements of football. UEFA
will remain committed to ensuring that this balance is maintained and even strengthened,
as the development of our game at national, European and international level depends on it.

Respect

Respect is a key principle of football.
Respect for the game, integrity, diversity,
dignity,players' health, rules, the referee,
opponents and supporters. Our message is
clear: zero tolerance against racism, violence
and doping. Football unites people and
transcends differences. The colour of the skin is
invisible under the jersey and, for UEFA, this will
always be so. Racism and any other forms of
discrimination will never be tolerated. UEFA
will not tolerate violence either on the pitch or in the stands. Football must set an example.

European sports model and specificity of sport

UEFA is a European body and we remain totally committed to the European model of sport,
a model characterised by promotion and relegation, the solidarity principle, as well as open
competitions and opportunity for all. This is what sport – and especially football – is all about.
We have to protect this model because sport is not simply a business like any other and we
cannot allow it to be treated as such. We will continue to defend the specificity of sport and
are convinced that our arguments will prevail for the good of football.

UEFA determined to combat match-fixing

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino has emphasised UEFA's determination to fight match-fixing and corruption in football – a "cancer" which threatens the sport's integrity.

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino has emphasised UEFA's determination to fight match-fixing and corruption in football.

In an address at a conference in Rome on Integrity in Sport, organised by Interpol and world football's governing body FIFA, Mr Infantino reiterated UEFA's call for widespread cooperation between sports and state bodies to eradicate from football what he described as a "cancer" posing a real threat to the game's integrity.

"We cannot and will not allow our game to be contaminated by criminals who have nothing but financial gain in mind," Mr Infantino told UEFA.com ahead of the conference. "Football, as you know, is a game based on fair competition between participants played to an agreed set of rules. The integrity of our sport, as well as the physical and emotional well-being of both players and match officials, are being severely undermined by these individuals who have direct links to organised criminal groups in both Asia and Europe.

"We are committed to maintaining our sport's integrity," he added. "With our continued programme of education for players, match officials and coaches, our sophisticated monitoring systems and our close links with law enforcement agencies and state authorities, under no circumstances will we surrender to match-fixers.

"We cannot win this battle alone, and we recognise the need for close collaboration with all the members of the football family and other sporting bodies, whose goal it is to see the true values of football prevail. We very much count on their support."

The prevention and detection of match-fixing has been a priority for UEFA for many years at both domestic and international levels. "Indeed, sporting integrity is included as one of our organisation's 11 key values," said the UEFA General Secretary. "Betting is a source of funding, but it is also a risk for football, especially as far as the integrity of competitions is concerned. Our primary focus must continue to be a total commitment to protecting sporting integrity and the proper running of our competitions, in order to preserve the true spirit of our game."

The UEFA General Secretary explained that UEFA's approach is threefold – prevention through education; monitoring and reporting via cooperation with the betting industry; and action through punishment and disciplinary sanctions. Last year,UEFA and Interpol pledged to reinforce the working relationship and exchange of information between the two organisations.

UEFA has used the educational platform of its youth competition final tournaments to make players aware of the risks. Presentations and workshops have hammered home the message that match-fixing is "cheating to lose". The Professional Football Strategy Council has also recognised the menace of match-fixing by adopting a resolution which invited UEFA to intensify and extend its education programme in cooperation with associations, clubs, leagues and players' unions on a European and a national level.

Mr Infantino cited the sophisticated Betting Fraud Detection System created by UEFA, which monitors all matches in UEFA competitions – approximately 2,000 matches per season – as well as over 30,000 domestic league and cup games across 53 member associations. "We know that over 99% of the matches we monitor show absolutely no irregular betting patterns," he said. "However, the less than 1% of matches that do show irregular betting patterns remain unacceptable."

The Rome conference was attended by integrity officers deployed by UEFA throughout its 53 member associations, who are working against match-fixing at a domestic level, helping to introduce education programmes for players, officials and administrators, and liaising with UEFA on any integrity matter which arises concerning their matches or their teams participating in UEFA competitions. Mr Infantino said: "UEFA is building a comprehensive internal database containing match-related information and data from diverse sources which enables us to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and state prosecutors in their inquiries into cases of the corruption of matches.

"We will punish very harshly anyone who is manipulating the result of a match," Mr Infantino stressed. "We have collaborated with police authorities to make sure these criminal activities are tackled, and that this cancer is eradicated from the game before it gets too big. It is a challenge and we are ready. Players and match officials have been banned from any involvement in football as a result of our 'zero tolerance' policy towards match-fixing, and clubs have been excluded from UEFA competitions.

"We have had highly successful discussions with members of the European Union and the European Parliament to include sporting fraud as a specific criminal offence in all EU member states. Accordingly, the UEFA Executive Committee has also recently expressed its support for the introduction of sporting fraud as a criminal offence in national legislations throughout Europe, as cooperation from legal authorities is required if we are to eliminate match-fixing."

The UEFA General Secretary quoted UEFA President Michel Platini: "If we begin to know the results of matches before the matches take place, we would have to stop. Children would have to stop playing football, people would have to stop going to the stadiums. We are going to deploy every means necessary to combat [those who] cheat."