Aleksander Ceferin is unblemished and enjoys the trust of at least 80% of national federations
Ceferin, UEFA President, enjoys a strong position in the presidency due to his great work developed in recent years.
In recent days we have been reading that a mutiny is being prepared in UEFA (by whom they do not tell us) in order to challenge the presidency of the Slovenian, Aleksander Čeferin who, incidentally, also became a grandfather and was full of joy in Munich (and rightly so).
It is even said by a section of the British Press that if they had searched well enough, they might have seen something else. That in the most secluded corners of expensive hotels like the Rosewood or the Bayischer Hof, meetings of various factors were taking place.
We were there too, but there was nothing strange. The fact that various people were discussing this always happens and will continue to happen. But in no case were they discussing ... mutiny! For what reason, anyway? The UEFA Champions League with its new format that was implemented in the summer of 2024 (as of course the other two competitions Europa and Conference League) has been an absolute success. If not 100%, it is 98%. People are suffocatingly filling all kinds of stadiums. Football in most games is AMAZING! Goals are raining down. Teams are earning more money. What problem is there? All of us who have been serving football for 10 years (personally, I can say that in international issues there is no one else not only in Europe, but perhaps in the world who has covered global football issues for over 40 years, as well as UEFA, FIFA).
The elections
Of course, 2027, when we will have the elections, is not far away, but not even...tomorrow. Some support the possibility of a candidacy by the Ukrainian, the president of his football federation (former great striker) Andriy Shevchenko or even the former president of the European Confederation, (acquitted after a hard battle) Michel Platini. Good. But if we look closely, then we will find that Platini, let's start with him, is in his 70th year of age. And according to the existing regulations, he cannot run for office precisely because of the age limit that exists. So this does not exist. On the other hand, Shevchenko must first gather at least 5 national federations. Okay, that can happen. Beyond that, however, at least in my eyes, I do not see there being another 30 or even 40 federations that would wish to anoint Shevchenko as president.
Therefore, there is no question of the two above gentlemen claiming the presidency. I repeat as we see it, who have been closely following the activities of the two leading football organizations in the world for years.
Excellent relations with Al-Khelaifi
Then each of us must realize that the relations of the ECA (the evolution of the famous G14 - for the older ones) in which the owner and top administrative leader of the new champion, Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is president, are impeccable to say the least. Together they lead football ever higher.
Mrs. Hewitt
Of course, we must not forget that the English FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, in February 2024, voted against controversial reforms that would have allowed Ceferin to run again in 2027, and former UEFA treasurer David Gill sparked a row with the Slovenian at a meeting on governance issues (the matter is now considered settled). England will host Euro 2028 along with the other British countries and Ireland, and then the Women’s World Cup in 2031. The FA’s president, Debbie Hewitt, is currently a FIFA vice-president. And from what we hear from its headquarters, the FA is understood to be trying to play both teams. So it would be better if he thought things through more calmly. Besides, we must admit that England's power on a political level is not what it used to be…
In conclusion, if someone searches a little deeper, they will find that at least 25 to 30 national federations are in favor of the Slovenian, Aleksandar Čeferin. So it would be good to think about it a second and third time for anyone who wants to try their hand at it. Yes, with the existing statute, Mr. Čeferin cannot run again. But who can claim that he will not have a say, and an important one at that?
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece)
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