Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-08 15:27:49
Aleksander Ceferin, the current UEFA president, announced on Thursday that he will not be seeking a fourth term in 2027, despite the approval of controversial reforms that would have allowed him to extend his mandate. The 56-year-old Slovenian lawyer made this decision around six months ago and cited the need for fresh leadership and the desire to spend more time with his family as the main reasons behind his choice. Additionally, he expressed his weariness from dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and the threat of a Super League, which he referred to as a “nonsense project.”
Ceferin’s unexpected announcement followed the UEFA Congress in Paris, during which member nations voted in favor of several statute amendments. One of the key amendments, which garnered overwhelming support, could have potentially allowed Ceferin to stay in his role until 2031. However, Ceferin intentionally kept his decision to himself prior to the Congress, as he did not want to influence the outcome of the vote.
The passed amendment does not eliminate the three-term limit but specifies that terms of office served or started before July 1, 2017, would not be considered in the calculation. This was a rule set forth by Ceferin in 2017 as a means to combat corruption in the organization. He expressed the need for this change, stating that the existing legislation had not been properly implemented at the time.
While Ceferin was re-elected unopposed for a third term in April 2021, the suggestion that he could run for a fourth term led to the resignation of UEFA’s chief of football, Zvonimir Boban. The rejection of his potential fourth term by Boban, who had previously been a close ally, prompted Ceferin to criticize him for his “narcissistic whining” and “pathetic cry about morality.”
Despite criticism from some quarters, Ceferin defended his leadership and the unity of UEFA, particularly in the face of the threat posed by the Super League. He emphasized the need for strength in unity and the rejection of attempts to divide the organization for the interests of a few individuals driven by profit.
In addition to the amendment related to Ceferin’s potential extension of tenure, other statute changes were voted on and approved. These included a proposal to guarantee greater female representation on UEFA’s ruling executive committee and the repeal of an age limit of 70 for all members of that committee. The English FA opposed these measures, while 26 European countries voiced their opposition to the Super League through a joint declaration, with the notable absence of Spain from the list of signatories.
Overall, the UEFA Congress and Ceferin’s announcement reinforced the organization’s commitment to unity, ethical leadership, and the preservation of the sport’s fundamental values, despite the challenges and controversies it continues to face.
