As expected, Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected President of the European Football Union. The 55-year-old Slovenian was confirmed in office unopposed by applause at the UEFA Congress in Lisbon. Ceferin has led the continental federation since September 2016 and has expressed concern regarding the future of football. With haunting words, he warned of a sell-off and sharply criticized the resurgent Super League plans.
“It’s really good that nobody has ever died of shame,” said the Slovenian during his speech to the Super League planners. He sees a “wolf disguised as a grandmother, ready to eat you,” Ceferin said, referring to the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. The founders of the once failed Super League – FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus Turin – are currently making a new attempt to establish a product that competes with the UEFA competitions.
The dispute over an alternative to the UEFA competitions is currently with the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ). Ceferin spoke of “cynicism versus morality, selfishness versus solidarity, greed versus goodwill.” As further pairs of opposites he named: “Shameless lies versus the truth, profit thinking versus hunger for titles.” Ceferin also addressed the increasing influence of investors. He sees a “risky, ruthless manner that defies all logic and principles”. The re-election – already in 2019 Ceferin did not have to face any competition – means a lot to him. “It’s a great honor, but above all a great responsibility.” He will do his best not to “disappoint” the UEFA delegates and football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized what he saw as the significantly improved relationship between the world association and UEFA. “United we are unbeatable,” said the Swiss in the direction of the delegates, which also included ÖFB interim president Johann Gartner, vice president Philip Thonhauser and general secretary Thomas Hollerer.
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There have been repeated disputes between FIFA, especially under Infantino, and UEFA in recent years. Basically it was regarding the distribution of money and dates in the international game calendar for the various competitions. Most recently, the two had at least approached each other publicly. UEFA is also supporting the new FIFA Club World Cup with 32 teams from 2025, which promises billions in revenue. And FIFA also positioned itself once morest the Super League. Infantino, himself UEFA General Secretary until his FIFA election in early 2016, congratulated UEFA President Ceferin on his “outstanding work”.
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