The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) celebrated its 25th anniversary on 3 June during its 32nd General Assembly. FIFA Vice-President Issa Hayatou, who is also President of the FIFA Organising Committee for the Olympic Football Tournaments, presented ASOIF President Denis Wimpel with a FIFA pennant to mark the occasion. ASOIF has worked to unite, promote and support the international federations for the past 25 years, without losing sight of its own interests and objectives. To this end, the association provides competent, efficient and professional assistance to the international summer Olympic federations on matters related to the Games and the Olympic movement, as well as other issues.

FIFA and the worldwide football family are mourning Charles Dempsey (former member of the FIFA Executive Committee). The long-serving president of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) died in New Zealand on 25 June at the age of 86. Dempsey was born in Scotland in 1922 and emigrated to New Zealand 30 years later. Joseph S. Blatter expressed his deep sympathy in a letter of condolence to the OFC. “We will remember him as a dedicated football personality and an extraordinary person, with great human qualities, who made an indelible mark on football and was an important actor in the development of football not only in Oceania, but as a member of the FIFA Executive Committee and various FIFA standing committees throughout the whole world. OFC President Reynald Temarii also praised Dempsey’s contribution and tireless commitment to football in Oceania.

On the occasion of the group match between Italy and Romania in the UEFA EURO 2008 championship at Zurich’s Letzigrund stadium on 13 June, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter met with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and federation president Mircea Sandu. The discussions about “6+5″, in which UEFA General Secretary David Taylor also took part, were very positive and were met with great interest. Romania supports the FIFA proposal. The federation is aware of the problems in relation to the development of young players and knows that for the long-term good of the game, national teams must be strengthened. “There has been a good degree of understanding for the proposal and its objectives,” said the FiFA President afterthe meeting. “6+5″ aims to ensure that at the beginning of each match, each club fields at least six players who are eligible to play for the national team of the country of the club. FIFA has no doubt whatsoever that “6+5″ will safeguard not only the harmony and balance between national team football and club football, but also the education and training of young players. FIFA is also of the view that “6+5″ would make club competitions more balanced and therefore more exciting.