The Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin, the only candidate, has been re-elected UEFA president for a new term of four years, until 2027, during the Congress of the continental body in Lisbon.
“It means a lot to me, it’s a great honor and a great responsibility,” Ceferin said as soon as he was re-elected to lead UEFA, a position he has held since September 14, 2016.
During his initial speech at the UEFA Congress, which is held in Lisbon, Ceferin has charged hard against the Super League. “In a few months, the so-called Super League has turned into a Little Red Hood character, a wolf disguised as a grandmother, ready to devour you,” he said. “Who are they kidding? Nobody, they are cartels above merit and democracy. It is money above trophies,” said the top leader of European soccer, who insisted that the domestic leagues are the ones that should be the base of soccer and listed successes of countries and clubs representing small cities in recent times, such as the selections of Iceland, Denmark, Villarreal or Sheriff Tiraspol.
“Soccer is the sport of the people. It belongs to all those who have loved, love and will love the game. From generation to generation,” said Ceferin, who assured that they have the support of the European Club Association (ECA) and its president, Nasser Al-Khelafi, also the top leader of PSG, “to protect this football model.”
“Our model is based on sporting merit. Where we come from, merit is priceless. Merit cannot be claimed. It cannot be acquired. It can only be earned. Season after season. On and off the pitch. There is no place for cartels on this continent”, asserted the Slovenian, who added that “the general interest must be above the individual interest of three clubs, two financiers and a spokesman”.
“We must never forget that we have a duty to guarantee that the interests of football prevail over the private interests of a handful of privileged people,” added Ceferin, who, in a forceful new speech before his re-election, also defended the Premier’s model, whose success, as he considered, has been created through an “egalitarian and supportive system between its clubs”, a model that “must be imitated” and recalled that despite what is said from certain sectors, they have not won as many European competitions lately.
He recalled that “in recent years attempts have been made to increase solidarity payments, as well as to create new competitions so that as many teams as possible can reap the benefits of UEFA’s famous beautiful nights”, and in this regard recalled the launch of the League Conference of clubs or the League of Nations of teams, as well as the fact that, when the pandemic emerged, “the interests of UEFA were put aside so that all the European leagues could complete their national championships.”
He congratulated Sweden on their choice to host the 2025 Women’s Euro Cup and wished the Netherlands and Belgium the best of luck in their bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
“We must never forget that football is for men and women. A revolution is taking place. Our next task is to adopt minimum standards for women’s national team players. It will be a milestone in the development of the game,” he said.
The Congress opened to welcome all the participants the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, and the president of the Portuguese Federation, Fernando Gomes, who took the opportunity to make references to the joint candidacy with Spain and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup.
“Sport is a unique platform with a far-reaching impact. Through football we can achieve peace, tolerance and understanding between people,” said Costa, who appreciated the importance of the project that unites European and African football and with it the world cup.
Later, the Swiss Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, also took the opportunity to congratulate all the congressmen “for making European football what it is, which is incredible, really fantastic and getting better and better.
“All of us are united to grow football, to find the right balance between club football and national team football, to help everyone around the world grow and become better. Everyone benefits if everyone grows “, he added.
