SAD NEWS: Champions League founder Gerhard Aigner dies aged 80

June 22, 2024 Jude News, Sports 0

 Champions League founder Gerhard Aigner dies aged 80

A founding member of the UEFA Champions League and former UEFA general secretary and chief executive Gerhard Aigner has died at the age of 80 on Thursday, June 20.

In memory of Aigner’s passing, Euro 2024 games that take place today will observe a minute’s applause before each respective game kicks off – as such, this will apply to Slovakia vs Ukraine, Poland vs Austria and The Netherlands vs France.

Aigner began life in football as a referee, after spending time as an amateur player and coach in the local ranks of his native Germany. He also spent plenty of time abroad in his younger years, in countries such as England, Spain and Switzerland.

He also studied economics in his youth – he attended Regensburg’s economic high school and worked as an apprentice in foreign trade. UEFA was a small, fledgling organisation before Aigner joined its ranks – he is credited with being a major player in helping it become the international behemoth it is today.

In 1969, he accepted an offer to become the head of UEFA’s refereeing and youth football sector – a role he would hold for several years. In 1988, he became UEFA’s general secretary, after he was nominated by the Executive Committee. He remained in this position until 1999 – during his time in the role, he played a pivotal role in formally introducing the Champions League in 1995.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*