Great news for the future of futsal. Four countries will enter in Uefa futsal division. The same did France during last year.
This will certainly help the development of our sport in the world, especially in Europe.
New futsal countries are Germany, England, Eire and Scotland.



Courtesy "futsal-english@yahoogroups.com

Hi Stephen Finn from Ireland here,

This article may cause some excitement but I'd urge everybody to be patient.

There has been enormous progress made in Scotland, where they have run a
futsal league in a town called Perth for four years now. All amateur and
already reaching a good level.

Now the Scottish FA have officially recognised the game and are introducing
it at university level but there is much politicking to be done before the
game is fully integrated. It is at least heading forward.

I started a futsal league in Ireland last September and we have one
division. I work in the TV department of the Football Association of Ireland
and have really pushed the game as hard as I could. However, the support
I've recieved has always been spiritual rather than anything concrete, until
very recently.

The FAI recently appointed a regional development officer called Derek
O'Neill and his brief will also include futsal. I've worked closely with him
since his appointment on January 4.

I have organised a tournament with the Scottish Futsal League (Mark Potter
is their chief organiser), a Belgian club called Dynamic Houthalen, an
English club from the outskirts of Liverpool called Tranmere Victoria and a
Northern Ireland team, to join two Republic of Ireland teams.

The FAI has invited all of the affiliate outdoor leagues in the country to
come and attend our tournament and from then on we'll see how much interest
we can stoke up. See www.futsalireland.com for details.

Tranmere Victoria are an English club that found about futsal a few years
ago and play in the occasional tournament in Europe, they are an isolated
group really but are interested in progressing the game there.

A group in Sheffield called Futsal Direct has emerged but they do not have a
league going or anything yet. There is also a league in Preston called the
Pendle Futsal League. What recognition these groups have from the English FA
is unknown.

What interest the English FA have in futsal remains to be seen.

I look forward to any comment you may have,

Stephen Finn