ISSUE CONCACAF.com
WEBB HAILS SUCCESS OF FIFA WOMEN’S U-17 WORLD CUP IN COSTA RICA
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FACTS AND FIGURES • The 24 first-round matches drew a total attendance of 209,658, setting a new competition record. • The final on April 4, was contested between Japan and Spain at the 35,000 seat Estadio Nacional. Japan won 2-0 against Spain. • Over the next 15 months, CONCACAF will remain at the center of the women’s football world as Canada prepares to host both the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. • There are 31 women’s football leagues in CONCACAF member associations. • In order to intensify development work in this area of the game, the Confederation plans on introducing an under-15 national team competition.
CONCACAF BECOMES CENTER OF WOMEN’S GAME AS CANADA PREPARES TO HOST PAIR OF GLOBAL EVENTS April 3 CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb praised the Costa Rican Football Federation, the Local Organizing Committee and the government for their successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. He asserted that record-breaking crowds in host cities Alajuela, Liberia, Tibas and San Jose, are evidence that the women’s game will continue to grow in the region.
“We are honored to help provide a leadership role for the women’s game in CONCACAF and around the world, so we are very excited to be hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. Between this tournament in Costa Rica and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada later this year, we feel 2014 will be the perfect launching pad for bigger and better things for women’s football in 2015.” – VICTOR MONTAGLIANI President of the Canadian Soccer Association and Chairman of the National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015
“It raises the profile of women’s football in the host nation. In addition, the country itself is promoted to a global audience. The income that can be generated by traveling team delegations and their supporters, in terms of airline bookings, accommodations and food, is obvious. The growing sports tourism sector should not be underestimated.” – SONIA BIEN-AIME General Secretary of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association and a member of both the FIFA and CONCACAF Executive Committees
“The enthusiasm and commitment of Costa Rican football fans has once again been displayed throughout what has been an extremely successful tournament. This competition has been yet another indication of the growth of the women’s game globally and specifically here in the CONCACAF region.” – JEFFREY WEBB CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-President
“This tournament has been significant in that it has allowed us to show Costa Rica and its people to the world. Our passion for women’s football has helped to raise awareness of our hospitality, our culture and our traditions. We are a country small in size, but vast in ideals that promote healthy recreation.” – EDUARDO LI SANCHEZ Costa Rican Football Federation President
“FIFA and CONCACAF are working together very closely for the development of football in the confederation. One important pillar is women’s football – and the moment couldn’t be more perfect to do so with the organization of three FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2014 and 2015 in that region. Capacity building, player development, raising awareness and promotion are staying in the focus of this cooperation.” – JÜRG NEPFER Head of Education & Technical Development at FIFA
EMBRACE DIVERSITY DIVERSITY OFFICERS APPOINTMENT March 12 The Confederation announced the appointment of a team of Diversity Officers to co-ordinate the monitoring and elimination of any racist or discriminatory behavior during matches as a component of its efforts to broaden its Embrace Diversity campaign. The nine officers, all experienced officials within the game, come from across the CONCACAF region and are being given special responsibility for ensuring that the
recently introduced ‘Protocol for Racist Incidents During Matches’ is implemented appropriately. The Diversity Officers took part in a workshop in Los Angeles on March 11 with guests from the U.K.-based group Football Against Racism (FARE), who were invited by CONCACAF to outline their experiences in the monitoring and handling of racism and discrimination in stadiums in Europe.
The workshop examined detailed techniques for monitoring and reporting racist or discriminatory incidents and evaluated several case studies. The discussion prompted a deeper analysis of the specific conditions in the CONCACAF region and the best approach for tackling any incidents in the future.
DAVID SABIR General Secretary, Bermuda Football Association
ANDY SWIFT Executive Director, Dallas Cup
DECIO DE MARIA President, Liga MX
PETER MONTOPOLI General Secretary, Canadian Soccer Association
MARGARITA ECHEVERRIA CONCACAF Statutes Committee Member
ARIEL ALVARADO
DAMIEN HUGHES General Secretary, Caribbean Football Union
ANTHONY JOHNSON President, St. Kitts & Nevis Football Association
SHELDON PHILLIPS General Secretary, Trinidad & Tobago Football Association
CARLOS MENDEZ President, El Salvador Football Federation
RIGNAAL FRANCISCA President, Curaçao Football Federation
THE NINE DIVERSITY OFFICERS ARE:
Deputy General Secretary Ted Howard (centre) and Diversity Officers.
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WEBB MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION “The football family has united with a firm stance to provide a strong, effective and influential voice against all forms of discrimination...”
March 21 ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, the football family reinforces the importance to eradicate racism and discrimination from football and society and reiterates its assertion to promoting diversity within the world of football. A year ago, FIFA was invited by the United Nations on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to take part in a discussion on the issue of racism in sports. Since this fruitful discussion, FIFA and the football community have made several important steps in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. A Task Force was created to craft proposals and last May the FIFA Congress approved a resolution with a new set of sanctions in cases of racism that includes point deductions, expulsion from a competition or relegation for reoffenders or for serious incidents. As the most widely-spread sport in the world, FIFA has taken a zero-tolerance stance towards discrimination and will continue to put its vast platform at the service of human kind. We are hopeful this will help remove the discrimination barriers that steer the focus
away from the game of football. Chosen by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, this year’s theme is the role of leaders in combating discrimination. The football family has united with a firm stance to provide a strong, effective and influential voice against all forms of discrimination through education, prevention and sanctions. We are aware that we have a special responsibility in the way we can impact football and society, especially youth. Our goal is to promote a sport in which all individuals embrace diversity and bring universality to the game throughout the world. The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be the perfect occasion to send a clear message to the world: football is for all. The quarter finals of the tournament will be dedicated to the fight against discrimination and I am convinced that Brazil, with its diverse society, will be the perfect host. As President Rousseff mentioned recently, this will be a World Cup against racism and all forms of discrimination. Football has the power to promote integration and endorse positive roles models in society. This beautiful sport is filled with passion, and passion has the power to pave
the way for deep change. As a clear mirror of the society of the 21th century, football aspires to create an environment of fellowship and respect that enhances the true talent that lies within all human beings. For achievement has no bias. Our true identity is indeed our talent. Proclaimed by the United Nations as a day of observance, FIFA treasures this occasion and ensures the fulfillment of our commitment to eradicate inequality from our fields. As we start the day, let us all connect to that passion that fuels the positive change we want to see in the world. Let’s all stand up against racism and discrimination. Let’s embrace diversity.
Jeffrey Webb Chairman of FIFA Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force
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HIGHLIGHTS
FACTS & FIGURES • Global sports market revenues will rise at a compound annual growth rate of 3.7 per cent from US$121.4 billion in 2010 to US$145.3 billion dollars in 2015. (Pricewaterhouse Coopers) • Within football, the World Cup is the principal source of revenue. • The 2010 edition in South Africa, generated a total revenue of US$3.6 billion and it continues to be the most viewed sporting event in the world. • In 2002, World Cup viewership reached a total cumulative audience of 28.8 billion people, making it the most viewed event in television history. No other sport is as universal. • Since 2012, CONCACAF has doubled its investment in football development programs, spending 76 percent of its annual budget across 41 member nations. • Sports tourism is the fastest growing sector of the global travel industry and equates to $600 billion a year.
WEBB URGES BUSINESS LEADERS TO INVEST IN YOUTH AND SPORTS February 20 President Webb urged business leaders to invest in youth and sports during a speech at the Cayman Economic Outlook conference. Webb spoke on the theme of ‘The Transformational Power of Sports’ during the event held at The Ritz-Carlton hotel and said investment in youth would provide greater opportunities for future generations. The one-day conference, sponsored
by Fidelity, is an annual event that brings together leading thinkers and doers to explore how global business, technology, science, finance, politics and culture shape the Cayman economy. This year’s program, titled ‘Think: New – Reinventing our Future’, targeted leaders from tourism, economics, business and political sectors, invested in the development of the Cayman Islands.
Match-fixing is defined as any act influencing the course or result of a match, contrary to sporting ethics CONCACAF LAUNCHES EDUCATION-BASED PROTOCOL TO FIGHT MATCH-FIXING March 7 The Confederation introduced a blanket prevention initiative in the on-going fight against match manipulation, launching an education program for the benefit of players, coaches and officials participating in CONCACAF championships at all age levels. The program, titled “Protect Yourself and Keep Your Sport Clean,” debuted at this year’s CONCACAF Women’s Under-20
Championship in the Cayman Islands. The prevention-oriented program, to be incorporated into the team arrival meetings held for each nation and club team before every CONCACAF Championship, delineates key points of the battle against manipulation in sport, including how to identify and deal with potential match fixers.
“ The growth of the women’s WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY March 8 With the hope of inspiring women to acquire a love for the beautiful game and to commemorate International Women’s Day, CONCACAF.com spoke with two prominent personalities: Sonia Bien-Aime, General Secretary of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) and CONCACAF Executive Committee member, plus United States international Alex Morgan, the 2013 CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year.
These women have played extraordinary roles in football on and off the field. Both have passion for the sport and envision a future full of opportunities for every girl in every country of the confederation. To read the full interview, please visit CONCACAF.com
game has been remarkable and I’m certain that at the Women’s World Cup next year, more teams than ever will have a chance to win
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that tournament. - Alex Morgan
“ It’s evident that CONCACAF is committed to improving women’s participation. Everything that’s been implemented is gearing towards the direction of creating opportunities for every single girl who wants to play the game to have an opportunity to play.” - Sonia Bien-Aime
Visit CONCACAF.com to obtain the full program. Anyone with information on match-fixing activity may report anonymously to Integrity@CONCACAF.org
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FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR WOMEN’S SOCCER IN CANADA, SAYS CONCACAF PRESIDENT March 2 Speaking after the Official Draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014, President Webb congratulated the Canadian Soccer Association for successfully raising the profile of women’s soccer in Canada. “It has been 12 years since the inaugural FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup finals were hosted in Canada,” said Webb. “We have seen tremendous progress in Canadian soccer during this time, with solid implementation of grassroots programmes and technical training for coaches and referees in the women’s game.”
Costa Rica
OFFICIAL DRAW FOR THE FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP CANADA 2014
GRASSROOTS COURSE A HIT IN ST. VINCENT February 21
GROUP A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines played host to the latest CONCACAF Grassroots program, which concluded at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown with a hugely popular football festival, attended by over 140 schoolchildren. For the previous two days, CONCACAF instructors worked with around 20
Canada, Ghana, Finland and Korea DPR GROUP B
CONCACAF champion United States, Germany, China and Brazil GROUP C
Mexico, England, Korea Republic and Nigeria
coach-educators in classroom and field environments, introducing them to bestpractices in developing the sport at a grassroots level for kids. The course also featured a module from CONCACAF’s Embrace Diversity campaign focusing on issues relating to
non-discrimination and inclusive modes of participation. Instructor Ces Podd, a former professional footballer in England with Bradford City, who hails from St. Kitts and Nevis, added to the course with his accounts of facing up to racial discrimination in the English football in the 1970’s and 80’s.
GROUP D
Costa Rica, New Zealand, Paraguay and France Mexico
WEBB ENCOURAGES DEVELOPMENT IN BONAIRE March 9 On his first trip to Bonaire, President Webb urged local football authorities to focus on the development of junior players and coaches. Nearly one year after the Dutch territory joined CONCACAF as an Associate Member, the Bonaire Football Federation hosted the confederation’s Grassroots Development course at the Kralendjik Sports Complex. Webb advised youth coaches and association officials that a commitment to youth was essential. Bonaire Football Federation President Ludwig Balentin was in agreement with that sentiment. “We need to train the coaches, so they can train the children correctly,” he said. “Our
FACTS & FIGURES
• Canada has 17,000 qualified coaches and nearly 6,000 referees – of whom women comprise a combined total of 4,000 – dedicated to youth football. • In 2012, Canada hosted the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament, which set an overall attendance record in excess of 168,000 fans. • Average TV viewership of almost 200,000 for each women’s game. • U-20 tournament was created in 2002, originally as a U-19 competition.
hope is that in the future we can become a full member to CONCACAF and compete regionally.” More than 30 coach-educators took part in the two-day sessions aimed at developing coaching and organizational skills for those working in football with children aged six to twelve. Participants spent time in classroom lectures and out on the field putting theory into practice with instructors Anton Corneal (Trinidad & Tobago) and Neal Ellis (USA). The grassroots course concluded with a Football Festival for in excess of 100 local children.
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ON THE FIELD CONCACAF APPOINTS MEMBERS OF CARIBBEAN PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE TASK FORCE March 3 CONCACAF announced the formation of a new task force to examine the feasibility of a potential Caribbean professional football league, as the Confederation deepens its commitment to the growth of the game across the region.
The task force will analyze all the possible options for developing a sustainable league structure in the Caribbean, with the objective of improving playing standards and overall professionalism. As some nations in the Caribbean possess
THE MEMBERS ARE: Dr. The Right Honourable Keith Mitchell ������ Prime Minister of Grenada The Right Honourable Edward Seaga, O.N., P.C. �� former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the Jamaican National Premier League
established domestic leagues, the group will review current infrastructures and assess what competitive format would achieve the best outcomes for long-term success. Dr. Yves Jean-Bart, President of the Haitian Football Federation, chairs the group. PELLERANO PENALTY PROPELS TIJUANA PAST CRUZ AZUL April 1
The task force held its first meeting on March 12 in Los Angeles.
Cristian Pellerano converted a second-half penalty kick to lift Club Tijuana to a 1-0 win over visiting Cruz Azul in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series at the Estadio Caliente. The second leg will be played at the Estadio Azul in Mexico City on April 9. The winner takes on either Toluca or Alajuelense in the two-legged final.
Mr. Damien Hughes �������������������� General Secretary, Caribbean Football Union Mr. Simon Firth
���������������������� Partner, Maples and Calder, Cayman Islands
Mr. Don Garber ���������������������� Commissioner, Major League Soccer Mr. David John Williams ������������������ Owner/President, W Connection Football Club, Trinidad and Tobago
TOLUCA TOPS ALAJUELENSE, ADVANCES TO CCL FINAL April 8
Mr. Decio de Maria �������������������� President, Liga MX The Honourable K.H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP �� Speaker of the House of Assembly of Bermuda
Carlos Esquivel and Juan Manuel Salgueiro scored a goal each to lift Toluca to a 2-0 win over 10-man Alajuelense in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals at the Estadio Nemesio Diez.
Mr. Randy Harris ���������������������� President, Barbados Football Association Mr. James Johnson
�������������������� Senior Manager Member Associations, FIFA
Mr. Shaka Hislop ���������������������� Football Commentator and Former Trinidad & Tobago National Team Captain SPECIAL ADVISORS: The Premier League �������������������� England Mr. Jefferson Slack ���������������������� Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, IMG Mr. Kieran Foley ���������������������� Group Head Marketing, Digicel
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EL SALVADOR HOSTS COURSE FOR REFEREE INSTRUCTORS March 22
CFU TO SEND TRIO OF GROUP WINNERS TO CCL April 1
A course for referee and physical training instructors – coordinated through the efforts of the FIFA, CONCACAF and UNCAF – was hosted by the Salvadoran Football Federation (FESFUT), March 17-22, in San Salvador.
Waterhouse FC (Jamaica), Puerto Rico Bayamon FC (Puerto Rico), and Alpha United (Guyana) will represent the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in the 2014/2015 CONCACAF Champions League. The decision was taken by the CFU Executive Committee after consultation with CONCACAF officials and the three first-round group winners, who were to join Haiti’s Valencia in the semifinals.
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INTRODUCING CONCACAF INTERACTIVE 2014 February 26 CONCACAF Interactive 2014 (#CI14) is now available. This is a competition in which sports fans and gamers from across the region will compete for the title of CONCACAF Interactive Champion, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip for two to be guests at the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) Grand Final 2014 this summer in Rio de Janeiro. This latest addition to the CONCACAF Interactive brand comes on the heels of the positive response and popularity of the CONCACAF Interactive Gold Cup 2013 (#CIGC13). The FIWC Grand Final identifies top gamers and brings them together at the world’s stage, set to be disputed alongside the most followed sporting event on the planet -- the FIFA World Cup. Fans from all CONCACAF Member Associations have the opportunity to represent their country and play for the chance to be crowned CONCACAF Interactive Champion. The six finalists emerging from the online qualifiers will compete against each other in the #CI14 Hexagonal Final, to crown the Confederation champion.
MONEYGRAM JOINS CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AS THE GLOBAL MONEY TRANSFER SPONSOR March 10 CONCACAF and its commercial partnership agency, Traffic Sports, announced that MoneyGram, a leading money transfer company and payment services company, is a sponsor of the CONCACAF Champions League. Under terms of the deal, MoneyGram This online tournament was held through FIFA Interactive World Cup 2014 (FIWC14) Season 6 (March 1 – April 1) via EA SPORTS™ FIFA14 on the PlayStation®3. The online qualifiers tournament took place during the month of March and the CI14 Hexagonal Final is set to take place in May.
will have exclusivity in the money transfer category, use of CONCACAF Champions League marks, promotional rights, activation rights at stadia throughout the region, televised signage, branding in official tournament media and materials, hospitality and the right to present the MoneyGram
UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS OTHER NEWS CONCACAF PRESIDENT DISCUSSES ANTI-CORRUPTION IN THE CARIBBEAN March 20
MEXICO, NIGERIA DRAW BEFORE MORE THAN 68,000 March 5
CANADA TO MEET BULGARIA IN MAY FRIENDLY April 1
Mexico and Nigeria played to a 0-0 stalemate in an international friendly before 68,212 fans at the Georgia Dome.
Canada will play its first international of the year on May 23, when it squares off against Bulgaria in a closed-door friendly at the Sonnenseestation in Ritzing, Austria. The match will be the first between the two countries.
Providing a top level perspective from the regional football confederation, Webb delivered a message at the UCCI Conference in Grand Cayman that touched on CONCACAF’s progress in building new foundations based on strong pillars of transparency, ethics and development. “Improving governance standards should be a priority for any organization,” said Webb. “Without trust at every level, it is impossible to create a strong region like the one we are envisioning. The Caribbean region has diverse cultural, social and economic elements that, while positive in many respects, provide
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inherent difficulties. The real challenge of uniting nations that are in such different places is defining an integral regional vision of the future.” The two-day conference, entitled “Towards a Corruption-Free Caribbean: Ethics, Values, Trust and Morality,” focuses on various aspects of values and ethics, as they relate not only to the function of Caribbean governments and political parties, but also to the role of every institution – whether educational, religious, or social – across the region.
APRIL 11 Miami 11 Miami
Audience and Compliance Finance
MAY 6 Grand Cayman 6 Grand Cayman 6 Grand Cayman 7 Grand Cayman 7 Grand Cayman 8 Grand Cayman
Five A Side Football Security/Fair Play Associated Championships Beach Soccer Statutes and Regulations National Associations
OTHER OFFICIAL VISITS FROM PRESIDENT WEBB FEBRUARY 6 St. Barthélemy MARCH 24 Atlanta
Meeting with Mayor Kasim Reed
UPCOMING EDITION IN JUNE 2014 For additional information: visit www.concacaf.com
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Golden Boot Award to the tournament’s top scorer at the conclusion of the championship series in April.
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