UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin shocked the world of European football with his surprising announcement that he will resign from his role in 2027. This came less than an hour after winning a vote to stay on for an additional four years. The Slovenian made the announcement at a press conference, leaving Uefa’s 55 member associations stunned as they were not informed beforehand.
The only association to vote against giving Ceferin the right to stay in his role until 2031 was the Football Association (FA). Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of Wembley, objected to the change in Uefa’s ruling Statutes, which meant that Ceferin’s initial three-year term after replacing Gianni Infantino in 2016 would no longer count as having been served.
Shortly after the vote, Ceferin made an unexpected appearance and took the opportunity to criticize former Croatia superstar Zvonimir Boban, who had resigned from his Uefa role in protest at the proposed changes. Ceferin expressed his exhaustion with the Covid pandemic, two wars, and the controversial Super League project. He also voiced his frustration with “self-proclaimed moral authorities” who prioritize their personal interests over true morality.
Ceferin revealed that he had made the decision not to run for reelection in 2027 around six months ago. He cited the need for fresh blood in any organization and emphasized his desire to be with his family, as he had been away from them for seven years already and would continue to be away for three more until 2027.
The UEFA President had informed a select group of key advisors about his decision and asked them to keep it confidential. This included Zvonimir Boban, whom Ceferin referred to as a “clown” and tested for loyalty.
Ceferin admitted that he intentionally kept his thoughts undisclosed to observe people’s true nature during the vote. He wanted the Congress to make their decision without any influence from him. He found it amusing to witness the hysteria surrounding the situation while also receiving messages of support from his federations.
In regards to Boban, Ceferin expressed his contempt for the former footballer and stated that he was aware that Ceferin would not run for reelection in 2027. However, Boban took advantage of the situation and publicly criticized Ceferin before his disclosure, which Ceferin saw as a narcissistic act. Ceferin questioned Boban’s personal aspirations and morality.
After answering only three questions, Ceferin left the press conference. Theodor Theodoridis, Uefa’s general secretary, revealed that Ceferin would inform the national association chiefs about his resignation during their lunch break at the Uefa hotel.
The FA’s principled stance against Ceferin’s reelection was ultimately unnecessary due to his decision to step down in 2027. However, Wembley chiefs emphasized that they would have voted the same way regardless of their knowledge of Ceferin’s intentions. The FA supported most of the proposed statute changes by Uefa but disagreed with the new wording on term limits. They believed in consistency with their own governance changes.
Ceferin’s resignation has left European football in a state of uncertainty. The search for a new UEFA President will begin, and the impact of Ceferin’s departure will undoubtedly be felt throughout the football community.