“A supporting role”

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin paid respect to the deceased:

“UEFA is deeply saddened by the death of Hans Bangerter, who was not only an outstanding general secretary in UEFA’s history, but also played a leading role in the further development of the organization and European soccer, at a time when soccer was undergoing fundamental changes.

He never sought the limelight, and yet he was instrumental in the path UEFA was taking. Under his aegis, the governing body matured and gained respect for his expertise, diplomatic skills and leadership, as well as for his commitment to the sport. He will be particularly missed. On behalf of UEFA and the European soccer community, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Hans Bangerter at this difficult time.”

Many years of service to soccer

Hans Bangerter (2nd from right) chairs a 1967 UEFA conference of presidents and general secretaries of national associations. UEFA archive

Hans Bangerter was born on June 10, 1924 in Studen, not far from the Swiss federal city of Bern, and later studied public administration at the cantonal technical college in Biel.

After initially working as a postal clerk, he was appointed to the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport in Magglingen, where his language skills meant that he fulfilled all the requirements for looking after foreign guests.

In this capacity, he received senior officials from the World Football Association, which turned to him in 1953 when it needed to find an assistant for then FIFA Secretary General Kurt Gassmann. After several successful years at FIFA, UEFA offered Bangerter the post of general secretary.

He headed the UEFA administration from 1 January 1960 and oversaw the governing body’s move from Paris to Berne; he served as general secretary until his retirement on 31 December 1988.

Impetus

Hans Bangerter (2nd from right) at the draw ceremony for the 1984 European Football Championship finals; seated to his right is Jacques Georges, one of four UEFA presidents during Bangerter’s tenure as general secretary.Icon Sport via Getty Images

Hans Bangerter added two essential elements to the rulebook of European soccer that shaped not only European club competitions but soccer in general.

First, he succeeded in introducing a match calendar for European competitions.

In addition, with the away goals rule, he found a solution as to how to proceed in the event of a draw after a first and second leg, which, with an already crowded match calendar at the time, had led to playoff matches having to be played. As a result of this rule, which shaped the whole of soccer, goals scored away from home were given greater weight in determining the winner.

Honorary member

At the UEFA Congress in Gothenburg in June 1992, Hans Bangerter was made an honorary member of UEFA; he continued to attend the Congress as well as important competition finals. Throughout his life, he retained his passion for soccer.

Bangerter was also an honorary member of the Swiss Football Association and a recipient of the FIFA Order of Merit.