Last puff for touchline smokers

By Mark Chaplin

Coaches who need cigarettes or cigars to help them through the ebbs and flows of a match will need to find another way of keeping themselves calm and composed in the heat of battle from next season.

Firm sanctions
Last week, UEFA announced that it will be introducing a ban on smoking in the technical area during all UEFA competition matches from the 2004/05 season, and has a list of sanctions that it can use against anyone violating the new rule. European football's governing body has made the move with the game's image in mind, especially among younger enthusiasts.

Coaching proposal
It was the coaching fraternity itself that proposed the measure. UEFA's technical development committee, consisting of many of Europe's most renowned coaching and technical experts, decided at its meeting in Brussels during the autumn to ask the supreme UEFA executive body to make the technical area, including the substitutes' bench, a no-smoking zone.

Right and proper
"In the present climate, it is no longer acceptable that we have smoking on the bench when smoking is being banned in so many places, and when we know that smoking damages health," said UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner. "There are players sitting on the bench, and therefore I think it is right and proper that UEFA stops any person from smoking there."

UEFA role
UEFA had been fully involved in the anti-smoking drive before reaching this latest decision. Within its ongoing relationship with the European political authorities, UEFA entered into a partnership agreement with the European Commission at the end of last year with relation to the commission's campaign against smoking.

Right example
"We have given our help through players saying 'no' to smoking," said UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee. "It's all about setting the right example, in particular to young people." In addition, tobacco advertising is not allowed at UEFA matches.

UEFA action
What sort of action could UEFA take against the coach who pulls out the cigarette packet when the strain begins to tell? "The first point of action is to ask the coach to leave the technical area," said Lee. "If he wishes to smoke, then it may be possible in or around the dressing room."

Sensible sanctions
"The coach risks being sent to the dressing room," explained Mr Aigner. "The list of UEFA disciplinary sanctions starts with cautions, and goes on to suspensions, fines - all possibilities. I am sure that our disciplinary bodies will find sensible sanctions."

Referee help
Referees and fourth officials will be asked to play their role in making the technical area a tobacco-free sector. "The fourth official is in charge of controlling the technical area, and the fourth official can, if required, call the attention of the referee if it is needed," Mr Aigner continued.

Special discipline
Over the years, some of the world's greatest coaches have felt the need for the comfort of nicotine to help them carry out their high-pressure job on match days. Perhaps chewing gum will be the remedy for many of them. In taking the decision, UEFA is asking those who try to instil discipline in their players to show a special type of discipline themselves - and set the proper example for the thousands of fans who admire them.