Vienna (AP) – UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin initially avoided the invitation of his vice presidents to run for re-election.
Sweden’s Karl-Erik Nilsson was speaking at the European Football Union Congress in Vienna when Denmark’s Jesper Moller Christensen stood up and whispered something to Nilsson. Nilsson responded that there was a meeting in Denmark two months ago “and it was a unanimous decision that they would like our president to come into office for another term at the next congress”.
Applause erupted briefly in the congress hall of Messe Wien. “We totally agree with that,” said Nilsson. But Ceferin just grinned and said he only said at first that he didn’t think the two could throw him off balance. “But they did it. If I make mistakes now, be merciful,” said Ceferin. The 54-year-old has been in office since 2016 and was confirmed in office in 2019. He had already announced his willingness for three more years from 2023 – but had not yet announced his candidacy.
“Unprecedented Sanctions”
Ceferin stressed the importance of sanctions against Russian players and clubs following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The umbrella organization is taking “unprecedented” action and wants to make a contribution, Ceferin said. Football is “not the winner” if the association breaks with its tradition of political neutrality.