NYON - A decision on a controversial new format for the UEFA Cup
has been put off until next July, European soccer's governing body
said on Friday.
UEFA's executive committee decided after a meeting here to continue
market research and talks about changes which might be implemented
in the 2004-2005 season.
Top European clubs have indicated they would like to see a group
phase in the UEFA Cup, which would imply more matches.
But UEFA officials have expressed skepticism at the idea and want
to maintain a direct knockout competition because there is less
demand for soccer on television.
In July, they decided to eliminate the second group phase of the
flagship club competition, the Champions League.
Gerhard Aigner, UEFA's chief executive, revealed that the governing
body was also struggling to find a formula which would allow to
Champions League and UEFA Cup games to be played on alternate weeks
with at least one week's break in between each leg.
UEFA also indicated in a statement that it wanted to take more steps
to clean up the game.
The 14-member executive committee decided to press ahead an increase
in the number of random dope tests on players in European competitions
by about one-third next season.
Tests were carried out in 137 matches in the 2001-2002 season, but
UEFA said it will now target about 180 matches, including youth
games for the first time.
The executive committee also set up a working group to take a close
look at the conduct of players and coaches on the field, citing 12
types of behavior which are not necessarily considered disciplinary
offenses at the moment.
They include players or coaches shouting at match officials, players
"encroaching on the referee after a decision, coaches encouraging
crowds to protest, players celebrating by pulling their shirts off,
blatant cases of simulation, attempts to get a yellow or red card
against an opponent, and jostling in the penalty area before a
corner or free kick."
