Borders are borders say Uefa

Uefa are known for their resistance to anything that looks like innovation, particularly across national borders.   Now they have rejected a plan for French 2nd division team Evian to play 35 kms.

Uefa are known for their resistance to anything that looks like innovation, particularly across national borders.   Now they have rejected a plan for French 2nd division team Evian to play 35 kms. away in Geneva.   Once they had been promoted, Evian’s own stadium with its 5,000 capacity was no longer suitable.  Their own supporters and the French and Swiss national football authorities were quite happy for their make the move around the lake to the very accessible stadium in Geneva.


Not so Uefa: ‘The organisation of football on a national territorial basis constitutes a fundamental principle and a well-established characteristic of the sport.’   Flexibility, common sense and a willingness to listen are not characteristics associated with rigid bureaucracies.