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Governing Bodies Of Soccer
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Published: September 27, 2006
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the supreme governing body of soccer. Started in 1904, FIFA was founded by representatives of France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, and has grown to include six continental governing bodies worldwide. With the exception of perhaps the United Nations and the Vatican, few international organizations can match FIFA's number of member associations and sphere of influence.
In addition to presiding over the World Cup, FIFA's most popular tournament, the association also hosts the Confederation Cup and Club World tournament.
FIFA has also sponsored Futsal, the indoor equivalent to the outdoor version of soccer as well as the Beach Soccer World Cup. FIFA is also the governing body of the Women's World Cup and both Men's and Women's Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups. The association also has a hand in the Olympic soccer competitions.
As a governing body, FIFA establishes and regulates the Laws of the Game as well as meting out legal and disciplinary actions. Conceived in the mid 1980s, FIFA established Fair Play. Fair Play goes beyond the Laws of the Game and in essence establishes a code of sportsmanship and ethics among soccer's players, coaches, referees and fans.
FIFA delegates its responsibilities over six regional governing bodies; the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and the UEFA. Within each of the six regional governing bodies are individual member nations. Each regional body is composed of its respective member nations, and within each nation, its respective leagues and organizations. Generally speaking, each governing body and its association members have considerable autonomy in how their leagues are run.
The oldest of the six regional governing bodies is the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol (CONMEBOL). Founded in 1916 CONMEBOL oversees soccer in South America and includes soccer megaliths Argentina and Brazil.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) presides over the African continent. Included in the CAF are over fifty countries, ranging from Algeria to Zanzibar. Along with FIFA, the CAF will co-sponsor the 2010 World Cup.
Founded in 1954, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is responsible for overseeing the broad swath of Asia. The AFC is subdivided into four regions: West Asia, Central and South Asia, East Asia and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The AFC represents countries ranging from Bahrain and Iraq in West Asia, Nepal and India in Central and South Asia, China and Macau in East Asia and Australia and Myanmar of ASEAN.
In 1966, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) began legislating associations in exotic locations such as Fifi, Tahiti and Vanuatu. Australia had been a member nation, but left to join the AFC following its participation in the 2006 World Cup.
Since 1954, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has been the governing body of Europe as well as some Asian associations. The scope of the UEFA includes multiple World Cup winners like France, Italy and Germany; former Communist Bloc countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan; and small nations such as San Marino and Liechtenstein. The UEFA sponsors some of the most popular soccer tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup. Both tournaments feature Europe's finest club teams and best matches. The UEFA Euros held every four years generates extraordinary excitement between international rivals in between World Cups.
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was founded in 1961 featuring island countries such as Martinique and Cuba; Central American nations like Costa Rica and Colombia; as well as Canada, Mexico and the United States in North America. CONCACAF features heavily anticipated tournaments such as CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations Cup. Although CONCACAF is the governing body of many prestigious associations and clubs throughout North and Central America, one of the youngest, fastest growing leagues is the MLS, part of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
The MLS, now in its eleventh season, initialized as the result of a promise between the USSF, the governing body of US soccer, and FIFA in 1993. Although Major League Soccer is not the first attempt at soccer boosters trying to secure a foothold in the United States, this latest incarnation is touted as their best. With lucrative broadcast deals, plans for soccer stadiums being drafted and new cities making bids for MLS franchises, soccer in the United States shows great promise.
The MLS currently consists of twelve teams: the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Red Bull New York and the New England Revolution make up the Eastern Conference. Its Western Conference is comprised of Club Deportivo Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Real Salt Lake. The MLS has an expansion team slated for Toronto in 2007.
General Overview. 2006. MLS. 11 September 2006. www.mlsnet.com
Associations. 2006. CONCACAF. 11 September 2006. www. concacaf.com
OFC History. 2006. PulseTec Pty Ltd. 11 September 2006. www.oceaniafootball.com
FIFA Organisation. 2006. FIFA. 11 Sept 2006. www.fifa.com
History of FIFA. 2006. FIFA. 11 Sept 2006. www.fifa.com
National Associations. 2006. Asian Football Confederation. 11 Sept 2006. www.the-afc.com
UEFA Organisation. 2006. UEFA. 11 September 2006. www.uefa.com
Home Page. 2006. Confederation of African Football. 11 Sept 2006. www.cafonline.com
National Associations. South American Football Confederation. 11 Sept 2006. www.conmebol.com
In addition to presiding over the World Cup, FIFA's most popular tournament, the association also hosts the Confederation Cup and Club World tournament.
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As a governing body, FIFA establishes and regulates the Laws of the Game as well as meting out legal and disciplinary actions. Conceived in the mid 1980s, FIFA established Fair Play. Fair Play goes beyond the Laws of the Game and in essence establishes a code of sportsmanship and ethics among soccer's players, coaches, referees and fans.
FIFA delegates its responsibilities over six regional governing bodies; the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and the UEFA. Within each of the six regional governing bodies are individual member nations. Each regional body is composed of its respective member nations, and within each nation, its respective leagues and organizations. Generally speaking, each governing body and its association members have considerable autonomy in how their leagues are run.
The oldest of the six regional governing bodies is the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol (CONMEBOL). Founded in 1916 CONMEBOL oversees soccer in South America and includes soccer megaliths Argentina and Brazil.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) presides over the African continent. Included in the CAF are over fifty countries, ranging from Algeria to Zanzibar. Along with FIFA, the CAF will co-sponsor the 2010 World Cup.
Founded in 1954, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is responsible for overseeing the broad swath of Asia. The AFC is subdivided into four regions: West Asia, Central and South Asia, East Asia and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The AFC represents countries ranging from Bahrain and Iraq in West Asia, Nepal and India in Central and South Asia, China and Macau in East Asia and Australia and Myanmar of ASEAN.
In 1966, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) began legislating associations in exotic locations such as Fifi, Tahiti and Vanuatu. Australia had been a member nation, but left to join the AFC following its participation in the 2006 World Cup.
Since 1954, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has been the governing body of Europe as well as some Asian associations. The scope of the UEFA includes multiple World Cup winners like France, Italy and Germany; former Communist Bloc countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan; and small nations such as San Marino and Liechtenstein. The UEFA sponsors some of the most popular soccer tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup. Both tournaments feature Europe's finest club teams and best matches. The UEFA Euros held every four years generates extraordinary excitement between international rivals in between World Cups.
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was founded in 1961 featuring island countries such as Martinique and Cuba; Central American nations like Costa Rica and Colombia; as well as Canada, Mexico and the United States in North America. CONCACAF features heavily anticipated tournaments such as CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations Cup. Although CONCACAF is the governing body of many prestigious associations and clubs throughout North and Central America, one of the youngest, fastest growing leagues is the MLS, part of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
The MLS, now in its eleventh season, initialized as the result of a promise between the USSF, the governing body of US soccer, and FIFA in 1993. Although Major League Soccer is not the first attempt at soccer boosters trying to secure a foothold in the United States, this latest incarnation is touted as their best. With lucrative broadcast deals, plans for soccer stadiums being drafted and new cities making bids for MLS franchises, soccer in the United States shows great promise.
The MLS currently consists of twelve teams: the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Red Bull New York and the New England Revolution make up the Eastern Conference. Its Western Conference is comprised of Club Deportivo Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Real Salt Lake. The MLS has an expansion team slated for Toronto in 2007.
General Overview. 2006. MLS. 11 September 2006. www.mlsnet.com
Associations. 2006. CONCACAF. 11 September 2006. www. concacaf.com
OFC History. 2006. PulseTec Pty Ltd. 11 September 2006. www.oceaniafootball.com
FIFA Organisation. 2006. FIFA. 11 Sept 2006. www.fifa.com
History of FIFA. 2006. FIFA. 11 Sept 2006. www.fifa.com
National Associations. 2006. Asian Football Confederation. 11 Sept 2006. www.the-afc.com
UEFA Organisation. 2006. UEFA. 11 September 2006. www.uefa.com
Home Page. 2006. Confederation of African Football. 11 Sept 2006. www.cafonline.com
National Associations. South American Football Confederation. 11 Sept 2006. www.conmebol.com
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