UEFA–CONMEBOL memorandum of understanding


The UEFA–CONMEBOL memorandum of understanding is an agreement between UEFA and CONMEBOL, the association football confederations of Europe and South America, respectively, signed between both parties with the aim of achieving close collaboration for the development of this sport in the regions. It was signed on 12 February 2020 and extended on 15 December 2021 in a first stage, and on 2 June 2022 in a second stage. This will permit creation of official championships in the branches of men's, women's, youth and indoor football and the possibility of exchanging referees in the tournaments organised by both entities.
In January 2022, CONMEBOL and UEFA authorities met at the CONMEBOL headquarters in Asunción, Paraguay, and ratified the agreements they had already signed for future competitions. Both parts also agreed to establish a joint office in London.

Mission and objectives

The MoU seeks to provide assistance and support between both confederations to establish and implement projects and activities related to:
  • the promotion and development of grassroots football, youth football and women's football
  • the organisation of championships
  • marketing, legal and social responsibility matters
  • security;
  • the promotion of ethical principles and good governance in football

Committees

In order to move forward with the projects, 4 joint committees were created through the memorandum. The strategies of both confederations in the different committees are coordinated in a Joint Representation Office located in London, England, United Kingdom, inaugurated on 4 April 2022.
The committees are:

Refereeing

As of the signing of the MoU, a referee exchange program was started, allowing referees and assistant referees appointed by their respective confederation to participate in matches in competitions organised by the other signatory party. Below is the list of referees appointed within the exchange program:
Organizing confederationCompetitionAppointed refereeRoleAssociation
UEFAUEFA Euro 2020Fernando RapalliniReferee
UEFAUEFA Euro 2020Juan Pablo BelattiAssistant referee
UEFAUEFA Euro 2020Diego Yamil BonfáAssistant referee
UEFAUEFA Women's Euro 2022Emikar CalderasReferee
UEFAUEFA Women's Euro 2022Migdalia Rodríguez ChirinoAssistant referee
UEFAUEFA Women's Euro 2022Mary Blanco BolívarAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2021 Copa AméricaJesús Gil ManzanoReferee
CONMEBOL2021 Copa AméricaDiego Barbero SevillaAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2021 Copa AméricaÁngel Nevado RodríguezAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2021 Copa AméricaRicardo de Burgos BengoetxeaVAR
CONMEBOL2021 Copa AméricaJosé Luis Munuera MonteroVAR
CONMEBOL2022 South American U-20
Women's Championship		Maria Sole Ferrieri CaputiReferee
CONMEBOL2022 South American U-20
Women's Championship		Giulia TempestilliAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2022 South American U-20
Women's Championship		Eliana Fernández GonzálezAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2022 Copa América FemeninaSandra BrazReferee
CONMEBOL2022 Copa América FemeninaAndreia Ferreira SouzaAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2022 Copa América FemeninaRita Cabañero MompóAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2022 Copa Libertadores FemeninaMaria MarottaReferee
CONMEBOL2022 Copa Libertadores FemeninaTiziana TrasciattiAssistant referee
CONMEBOL2022 Copa Libertadores FemeninaSilvia Fernández PérezAssistant referee
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaPiero MazaReferee
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaChristian SchiemannAssistant referee
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaClaudio RíosAssistant referee
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaJesús Gil Manzano4th official
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaAlejandro Hernández HernándezVAR
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaJuan Martínez MunueraAVAR
Both confederations
2022 FinalissimaTiago Lopes MartinsAVAR
Both confederations
2022 UEFA-CONMEBOL Under-20 Intercontinental CupDerlis LópezReferee
Both confederations
2022 UEFA-CONMEBOL Under-20 Intercontinental CupRoberto CañeteAssistant referee
Both confederations
2022 UEFA-CONMEBOL Under-20 Intercontinental CupJosé VillagraAssistant referee
Both confederations
2022 UEFA-CONMEBOL Under-20 Intercontinental CupJosé Méndez4th official
Both confederations
2022 UEFA-CONMEBOL Under-20 Intercontinental CupGermán DelfinoVAR
Both confederations
2022 UEFA-CONMEBOL Under-20 Intercontinental CupMaximiliano Del YesoAVAR
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaHenry GutiérrezReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaRicardo MessaReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaGean TellesReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaChristian EspínolaReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaJonhatan HerbasReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaMario EspichanReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaDaniel RodríguezReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaYuri GarcíaReferee
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaDaniel ManriqueTimekeeper
Both confederations
2022 Futsal FinalissimaJosé VillarTimekeeper

Women's football

The agreement provides a development strategy for this branch in all its member associations, as well as the creation of different competitions. The first women's football championship planned from the MoU is the UEFA-CONMEBOL Women's Finalissima, a tournament that emulates the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in the women's branch.

Development and coaches

The purpose of this committee is to provide a joint project for the creation of:
  • Elite young player development programs
  • Scout Development
  • Joint coaching licences: A mutual recognition of titles and coaching licences is planned for 2023.

Competitions

The competitions created under the memorandum are the following ones: