UEFA Tries To Avoid Further Scheduling Issues After It Fined FA

UEFA has announced that "it will establish a working group to ensure member associations avoid fixture clashes between domestic and European games," after the FA "was disciplined for a breach of regulations," according to SOCCEREX. In what "is believed to be the first penalty for this type of offence," the FA has agreed to pay €50,000 ($66,000) to UEFA while 10% of its Champions League distribution payment for the '10-11 season "will be redistributed to other European countries." The FA’s penalty applies to the '10-11 and '11-12 seasons "when a number of clashes occurred, most notably the Premier League Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, which was broadcast by Sky Sports on March 13, 2012" -- the same evening as a Champions League match night (SOCCEREX, 4/30).