UEFA competitions (French: compétitions de l'UEFA), referred improperly by the mass media as European football,[Note 1] are the set of tournaments organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), generally in professional and amateur association football and futsal. The term was established in 1971 by the confederation to differentiate the men's football competitions under its administration, the first in history being held at a pan-European stage,[1] from other international competitions carried out in the continent between 1960s and 1990s, such as the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, International Football Cup and Karl Rappan Cup, Cup of the Alps, Balkans Cup[2] and the restructured Mitropa Cup (as well as some which had already been discontinued by late 1950s such as the Latin Cup). All these tournaments were organised by private bodies and/or at least two national associations and concerning one of more regional areas of Europe,[1] not being recognised by UEFA for historic-statistical purposes.[3]
- ^ a b Quin, Grégory (September 2013). "The Beginnings of a 'European Football Field'" (PDF). UEFA direct. No. 131. Union des Associations Européennes de Football. p. 16.
- ^ "Balkans Cup". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ Vision Europe (2005, p. 23)