Uefa moots ditching Champions League anthem as part of review

European football body Uefa is to review its brand identity, which could include axing its 20-year-old operatic Champions League music.

Uefa: to review its brand identity
Uefa: to review its brand identity

Uefa is understood to be considering an update to the look and feel of the brand in a bid to create a more unified identity across the 53 member countries it operates in. 

Initially, the refresh will be for the corporate brand, before rolling it more widely to consumers.

It is understood to be looking at appointing a branding agency to carry out the work and it is unknown which of its tournaments will be affected by the update.

However, according to one source familiar with the matter, the operatic music used during the broadcast of Champions League matches is also up for review, and its idents could be replaced.

The Uefa Champions League anthem dates back to 1992 and was written by Englishman Tony Britten. Britten was commissioned by Uefa to adapt Handel's composition, 'Zadok the Priest'.

The chorus is played before each Uefa Champions League game, and at the start and end of TV broadcasts of the matches.

The review will take place after this year's European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine.

This will be the last time broadcasting and advertising rights for major championships will be negotiated by individual countries.

The rights will be sold centrally for the Uefa Euro 2014-16 qualifiers and the 2016-2018 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers.

A spokesperson for Uefa said: "We are regularly reviewing our brands, including the respective music, but do not have further details to give on this topic for the time being."

Follow Sarah Shearman on Twitter


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