Since 1990, football history has become increasingly important within the field of sport science, yet few studies have centred on the Europeanization of the game from the interwar period onwards. This period saw the creation of a sovereign institution dedicated to European football, the establishment of specific rules about players' transfers and contracts and, in particular, the development of competitions. This book examines the development of European football between 1905 and 1995 from a transnational perspective. It offers a space for discussion to both early-career and established historians from a range of different countries, leading to a better understanding of the crucial turning points in the Europeanization of the game. The volume aims to promote valuable new reflections on the role of football in the European integration process.

This book provides a historical study of the beginnings of the UEFA, demonstrating how the formation of the organisation was linked to the decentralisation experienced by FIFA, the world governing body of football. Vonnard examines why administrators created an association that transcended the barriers of the Cold War, and focused on the development of a network that promoted football outside the constraints of international politics. Finally, he emphasises the role UEFA played in the Europeanisation of the people's game, and in the early years of the European integration process. The research is based on a rich body of new archival material from the UEFA and FIFA Documentation Centres, and various European football federations, as well as reports from a number of leading newspapers of the era, and interviews with football personalities of the 1950s. It will be of interest to students and scholars across the history of sport, international relations, and European studies

Sport during Cold War has recently begun to be studied in more depth. Some scholars have edited a book about the US and Soviet sport diplomacy and show ow the government of these two countries have used sport during this period, notably as a tool of "soft power" during the Olympic games. Our goal is to continue in this direction and to focus more on the sport field as a place of exchanges during the Cold War. Regarding this point, our aim is to show that there were events "beyond boycotts"many and that unknown connections existed inside sport. Morevoer, many actors were involved in these exchanges. Thus, it is important not only to focus on the action of States, but also on private actors (international sporting bodies and journalists), considering that they acted around sport (an "apolitic" field) as it was tool to maintain links between the two blocs. Our project offers a good opportunity for young scholars to present original research based on new materials (notably the use of institutional or personals archives). Morevoer, it is also a step forward with a view to conduct research within a global history paradigm, one that is still underused in sport academic fields.

This book provides a historical study of the beginnings of the UEFA, demonstrating how the formation of the organisation was linked to the decentralisation experienced by FIFA, the world governing body of football. Vonnard examines why administrators created an association that transcended the barriers of the Cold War, and focused on the development of a network that promoted football outside the constraints of international politics. Finally, he emphasises the role UEFA played in the Europeanisation of the people's game, and in the early years of the European integration process. The research is based on a rich body of new archival material from the UEFA and FIFA Documentation Centres, and various European football federations, as well as reports from a number of leading newspapers of the era, and interviews with football personalities of the 1950s. It will be of interest to students and scholars across the history of sport, international relations, and European studies