UEFA have announced the inaugural meeting of their Football Board, a line-up of former footballers and elite coaches, who will give expertise on fundamental football-related topics, including the laws of the game, refereeing and fixture scheduling.
Manchester United have links to the UEFA Football Board, as former manager Jose Mourinho has been named among the represented coaches, whilst former players Rio Ferdinand and Juan Mata will also attempt to use their experience for change.
The board members were selected 'based on their outstanding club or national team football achievements, impeccable international reputation and extensive experience' and the inaugural meeting will take place on Monday, 24 April.
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Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA President, said about the board: "UEFA is delighted to see that the very ones who have shaped the game's history with their talents and philosophy through decades are gathered again around our common goal.
"To protect the game of football and its essential values. As we always say: Football first!"
The following make up the UEFA Football Board:
Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Paolo Maldini, Fabio Capello, Javier Zanetti, Luis Figo, Philipp Lahm, Ronald Koeman, Gareth Southgate, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Laudrup, Rafael Benitez, Roberto Martinez, Predrag Mijatovic, Jurgen Klinsmann, Rudi Voller, Petr Cech, Juan Mata, Robbie Keane, Patrick Vieira, Henrik Larsson, Eric Abidal, Gareth Bale.
UEFA have confirmed the agenda for the first meeting foresees discussions on refereeing matters, such as the UEFA line of intervention, VAR, handball and player behaviour, and competition and medical football matters.
Erik ten Hag has discussed the standard of refereeing this season and the UEFA board hopes to improve the game.
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