Full guest list as UEFA's Council of Wise Men host first meeting including Bale

25 April 2023 , 08:33

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UEFA will hold the meeting annually

UEFA have chaired a meeting that featured a host of the game's biggest and best names - both past and present - as they discussed the hot topics in the sport.

The organisation's technical director and chief of football, Zvonimir Boban, chaired the meeting, which included a host of individuals as UEFA sought "institutional yet independent voices of experience and expertise". Ballon d'Or winners and Champions League winning coaches were among the star-studded list of attendees.

Some had to join online, but the majority were present in person. Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, two of the best coaches of the modern era, were among those who had to join remotely, as did Wales legend Gareth Bale, who recently called time on his playing career.

The discussion points centred around VAR and where UEFA's line of intervention should sit, amid continued controversy. The handball law was also on the list of topics, with the spotlight being shone on the current law after a controversial penalty was given in Bayern Munich's draw with Manchester City last week at the Allianz Arena.

Player behaviour was discussed as the organisation looks to make forward strides whilst competition and medical football matters were on the agenda. England boss Gareth Southgate was giving his thoughts in person, as were the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Rafa Benitez, Patrick Vieira and Luis Figo.

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Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA deputy general secretary and director of football, weighed in on competition-related topics and UEFA chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti did so on refereeing matters.

The handball law was among the topics discussed

Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, has said: "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!"

These meetings will be an annual occurrence in the UEFA calendar, but the individuals will also meet when needed should any issues come to light. Europe's governing body has had to overcome several issues in recent years, most notably the attempted Super League breakaway, whilst their reformed Champions League plan has also copped criticism with some clubs receiving perceived preferential treatment.

Full list of attendees (either in person or online):

Zinedine Zidane, France

Paolo Maldini, Italy

Fabio Capello, Italy

Javier Zanetti, Argentina

Luís Figo, Portugal

Philipp Lahm, Germany

Ronald Koeman, The Netherlands

Albert Sambi Lokonga decided to leave Arsenal after Patrick Vieira phone call

Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane were both involved in the meeting

Gareth Southgate, England

Michael Laudrup, Denmark

Rafael Benitez, Spain

Roberto Martínez, Spain

Predrag Mijatović, Montenegro

Jürgen Klinsmann, Germany

Rudi Völler, Germany

Petr Čech, Czechia

Juan Mata, Spain

Robbie Keane, Republic of Ireland

Patrick Vieira, France

Eric Abidal, France

Gareth Bale, Wales

Henrik Larsson, Sweden

José Mourinho, Portugal

Carlo Ancelotti, Italy

Rio Ferdinand, England

Samuel Meade