Ceferin to run for UEFA president a fourth time despite saying he wouldn’t

Ceferin to run for UEFA president a fourth time despite saying he wouldn’t Aleksander Ceferin has confirmed he will stand for a fourth term as UEFA president despite previously insisting that he would leave European football’s top job in 2027. The Slovenian announced this during a meeting with representatives of all 55 UEFA member associations in Berlin after months of speculation about his future. Ceferin won the elections in 2016 after Michel Platini’s departure and later backed controversial changes to UEFA’s statutes that allowed another term. However, in February 2024, he insisted he would not take advantage of the amendment, arguing that football’s governing bodies need fresh blood. Two years later, he has abandoned that promise. “I want to thank the national associations for their trust,” Ceferin said (via the BBC ) after confirming his decision. “There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request. “My ambition remains the same: to keep European football united, make our game stronger and leave UEFA ready for the next generation.” His decision comes at a fascinating time in world football politics, with UEFA openly challenging FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Ceferin has repeatedly ruled out personally standing against Infantino, who is expected to seek another term in March and currently has no serious confirmed challenger. That may explain why Ceferin has chosen to consolidate his place in UEFA rather than attempting to take on FIFA’s powerful incumbent. The political parallels are difficult to ignore. Infantino himself rose to the FIFA presidency after allegedly helping bring down Platini, who had been expected to succeed Sepp Blatter before his own downfall. He subsequently moved from UEFA’s corridors of power to the top job in world football. Ceferin now appears to have recognised how difficult it would be to topple an incumbent with Infantino’s influence. UEFA has still continued its supposedly noble fight by agreeing a 14-point reform plan for FIFA. The proposals call for greater independence for ethics and disciplinary bodies, limits on presidential powers and additional funding of at least $10 million for each of FIFA’s 211 member associations . With no credible challenger currently emerging against Infantino, Ceferin’s decision ensures he will remain one of the most influential figures in football and its politics for years to come.