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Aleksander Ceferin
Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes / REUTERS
The European Football Union (Uefa) has decided on the much-discussed change to the statutes in favor of Aleksander Čeferin, thereby clearing the way for the president to continue in office. At the congress in Paris on Thursday, the 55 member associations voted to adjust the rule limiting term limits. This means Čeferin could remain UEFA boss until 2031, longer than previously thought.
Specifically, the delegates at the Maison de la Mutualite conference center decided that terms of office that began before July 2017 will not be counted towards the term limit of a maximum of twelve years. The rule adjustment was part of an overall package with several changes that was submitted to Congress for a vote. Only the English association voted against it.
Ceferin introduced the original rule himself as part of a major reform package. The Slovenian took over the post in September 2016 after Michel Platini resigned in the middle of an electoral period; his first three years are now not counted as his first term in office. According to UEFA, the adjustment was necessary for legal reasons.
DFB supported Ceferin
UEFA primarily relies on a legal opinion according to which the previous wording of the statutes was not compatible with Swiss law. The umbrella organization is based in Nyon.
The German Football Association (DFB) had already publicly pledged its support to Ceferin before the vote. According to British media reports, there were also critical voices within UEFA. Zvonimir Boban, a close confidant of Čeferin, had previously resigned from his position as head of the football department in protest.
Čeferin has so far left it open whether he will run again in 2027. Last year, the 56-year-old was confirmed in office by acclamation without any opposition.
ara/sid/dpa