Michele Uva
Michele Uva is an international sports administrator. He is the executive director of UEFA for Sustainability since January 2021 and since May 2025 he has been appointed as UEFA delegate for EURO 2032 - Italy. He was UEFA vice president and UEFA executive committee member from May 2017 to October 2020 and Italian FA chief executive officer from 12 September 2014 to December 2018. Author of seven books, UEFA Sustainability Strategy 2030 and several economic publications. The Financial Times considered him as "one of Europe's most powerful football executives" and l'Equipe gave him the nickname of "jeune loop". In October 2025 he has been included in TIME100 Climate, list of 100 influential leaders in climate
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Graduate at University of Bologna, over the last 40 years Uva has performed several roles in several sports organisations: UEFA,Italian Olympic Committee, Professional football clubs, Italian Football Association and Serie A League, basketball and volleyball teams.
Actually he is working for UEFA - Union of European Football Associations - as executive director for sustainability
responsible for combining UEFA's core business activities with sustainability and social responsibility by incorporating sporting, social, environmental, governance and economic aspects into each other, bringing UEFA and its activities into an inclusive, accessible, sustainable framework. Author of UEFA's sustainability strategy 'Strength Through Unity 2030'. He has been a speaker on the topic of sustainability in international contexts: United Nations, Council of Europe, European Commission, COP28, WEF, EXPO 2025. Creator of the UEFA Unity EURO Cup. Executive editor for UEFA of: Sustainability Infrastructure Guidelines, Circular Economy Guidelines, Catering Guidelines, Accessibility Guidelines, Walking Football Guidelines, Take Care Programme.
In May 2025 he has been appointed by UEFA as delegate for the organisation of EUO 2032 - Italy.
CAREER DETAILS
In Volleyball
In 1985, Uva made his first steps in professional sport becoming the Head of the Youth Sector at Zinella Volley Bologna, a team he previously played for.
He then became team manager of Sisley Treviso, part of the Benetton Group, before moving - in 1992 - becoming CEO of women's volleyball professional club. During his four-year term, the Club enjoyed a highly successful run winning two Champions Leagues, a European Supercup, three Italian Leagues and three Italian Cups. In 1996, he was nominated President of the Italian Women's Volleyball League.
In Football
In the summer of 1996, Uva took his first managerial role in football as he was appointed CEO of Parma AC Football Club. Under his guidance, the club won a UEFA Cup, an Italian Cup and an Italian Supercup, being twice runners-up in the Italian Serie A. His first manager in Parma was Carlo Ancelotti
In 2001, Uva moved to S.S. Lazio becoming the club's CEO and vice-president. His experience at Lazio ended swiftly with Uva growing restless with President Sergio Cragnotti and leaving his post in November 2002.
In 2004, after a consultancy role for US football club New York MetroStars, he became Director of the Italian branch and international consultant of SPORT + MARKT AG, a German sport consultancy company based in Cologne.
In Basketball
In 2006, Uva joined basketball club Lottomatica Virtus Roma as CEO reaching the Serie A Scudetto Finals and the Euroleague Top-16 on both occasions. He departed from the club at the expiration of his 2-year contract.
In Italian Football Association and Italian Olympic Committee
In 2009, Uva returned to football joining FIGC, initially as a Project Manager for the UEFA EURO 2016 Bid and then as Chief Development Officer. The department he established covered the following areas: Social Responsibility, Research, Fundraising, Management Development, Stadiums’ Safety and Security, International Partnerships, Cultural Promotion and Special Projects.
During his first spell at FIGC, Uva started his collaboration with UEFA and FIFA.
In 2013, Uva was appointed as CEO of Italian Olympic Committee CONI SpA the operative company managing all Italian National Olympic Committee's assets, activities and administrative tasks, including the Human Resources. He was in charge with the Italian team expedition at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
Uva was strongly linked to AC Milan following a turnover at the club; these rumours were initially dismissed by the head of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò. Uva subsequently confirmed that he had been on the verge of joining the club.
Uva eventually left CONI in September 2014, returning to FIGC as chief executive officer. He led the Federation under the turbulent days following Italy's World Cup qualifier elimination against Sweden and the resignation of President Carlo Tavecchio and has been confirmed in his role by Giovanni Malagò following the Federation's commissionership by CONI.
In the summer 2018, following AC Milan's change of ownership, with the American investment fund Elliott taking over Chinese investor Li Yonghong, Uva was once again linked to the club. Uva emerged as a candidate for the CEO. As reported by Sky, despite being honoured by this offer, Uva turned down the position in order to continue his mandate as FIGC chief executive officer and UEFA vice-president. During a personal interview with UEFA Direct Magazine, Uva had previously revealed to be an admirer of Arrigo Sacchi's Milan side.
UEFA
On 5 April 2017, Uva was elected to the UEFA Executive Committee after the European confederation's 41st Ordinary Congress. He polled 46 votes from 55. In September of the same year, Uva became UEFA vice-president. He replaced the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Ángel María Villar Llona.He held the following roles at UEFA:
- UEFA Executive Committee
- Club Licensing Committee
- Women's Football Committee
- Finance Committee
- Professional Football Strategic Council
- Club Competition SA
- UEFA Strategic Steering Committee
- National Team Committee
Lecturing and publications
Uva lectures at numerous universities and master courses in Europe.He has published the following books on sports and football industries
- La ripartenza, 2010, Ed. AREL - Il Mulino. Authors: M. Uva & G. Teotino
- Viaggio nello sport italiano, Ed. ESF - 2011 Authors: M. Uva & M. Vitale
- Il calcio ai tempi dello spread, 2012, Ed. AREL - Il Mulino. Authors: M. Uva, G. Teotino with the collaboration of N. Donna
- Viaggio nello sport italiano, Ed. ICS - 2013. Authors: M. Uva & M. Vitale
- Il Calcio Conta, 2014. Ed. Rai ERI e BUR. Authors: M. Uva, N. Donna & G. Teotino
- Campionesse. Storie vincenti del calcio femminile, 2018. Ed. GIUNTI. Authors: M. Uva & M. Gasparri
- Soldi Vs Idee. Come cambia il calcio fuori dal campo, 2023. Ed, Mondadori
“Stella di bronzo” Italian Olympic Committee – 2015
"Riconoscimento Speciale" Maestrelli trophy - 2015
Price USSI - 2016
“Maurizio Maestrelli” – 2016
Title of Commendator of the Republic of San Marino - 2018"