UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has officially announced his decision not to seek re-election in 2027. This declaration came shortly after he navigated through a contentious alteration in UEFA's legal statutes, which, ironically, would have permitted him to extend his tenure. Since taking the helm in 2016, Ceferin has navigated UEFA through numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and the attempted launch of a Super League, which he has vehemently criticized as a "nonsense project."
Ceferin, a Slovenian lawyer, attributed his decision to step down to personal and family considerations, a decision he claims to have reached six months prior. However, the timing and progression of the legal amendment since November, which could have potentially extended his presidency until 2031, drew criticism, notably from UEFA vice president David Gill, a former Manchester United executive. This situation emerged amid broader soccer governance reforms initiated in response to corruption investigations, leading to the establishment of a 12-year presidential term limit at UEFA in 2017.
In a pointed statement during a press conference following the UEFA congress, Ceferin addressed his critics and those who speculated about his future intentions. Without naming names, he criticized an unnamed European soccer official for what he described as a "pathetic cry about morality" in a "narcissistic letter" to member federations. This comment is widely interpreted as a reference to Razvan Burleanu, a fellow FIFA council member and president of the Romanian soccer federation, highlighting internal UEFA politics and tensions.
Ceferin's tenure has been marked by his outspoken stance on various issues, including his opposition to the Super League and his controversial support for UEFA vice president Luis Rubiales. His governance has also seen attempts to reintegrate Russian youth teams into UEFA competitions, amidst broader sanctions against Russian sports entities.
Video: Jesse Lingard signs for FC Seoul, says he wants to win a trophy
(With AP inputs)