Aleksander Čeferin, president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for 10 years, appeared in Salzburg on Wednesday during the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Čeferin has firmly ruled out running for FIFA president in March, stating, "سذاجتي" and referring to "الثعابين" and "الأوغاد الـ12." UEFA considers its trust with Gianni Infantino irrevocably broken, describing FIFA's plans as "بصقة في وجه كل عشاق كرة القدم." This united front, including CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, opposes FIFA's initiatives, much like Čeferin previously opposed the Super League project and the biennial World Cup proposal.
Infantino's Controversial Plans
FIFA President Gianni Infantino secretly explored a project designed to open the door to private investors. This initiative risked ceding part of future World Cup revenues, according to reports. Infantino, who previously held the second-highest position in UEFA between 2009 and 2016, retains power within FIFA through what critics describe as weak internal oversight mechanisms and his ability to sway the 211 FIFA member associations. Continental confederations themselves do not possess voting rights in FIFA decisions. Aleksander Čeferin previously confronted Infantino regarding the international match calendar when FIFA attempted to organize the World Cup every two years in late 2021. This ongoing tension shows the deep divisions between the European football body and the global governing organization.
Čeferin's Past Triumphs and Alliances
Aleksander Čeferin, who is 58 years old, first ascended to the presidency of UEFA in September 2016. He secured the position after defeating Michael van Praag in the election. His predecessor, Michel Platini, had been removed from the role due to a suspicious payment linked to FIFA. Prior to leading UEFA, Čeferin was president of the Slovenian Football Association in 2011 and had also served as president of Futsal club FC Litija. His experience in various football leadership roles prepared him for the challenges of the UEFA presidency.
Čeferin's leadership at UEFA saw him re-elected unopposed in both 2019 and 2023. During his tenure, UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, signaling a strong stance on governance issues. He reformed the Financial Fair Play system and managed the implementation of a new format for European club competitions. A notable achievement was his success in postponing the European Championship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently organizing it in 2021, with matches held across 11 countries. This demonstrated his capacity for decisive action during unprecedented global events. His firm stance on issues of integrity and financial prudence has been a hallmark of his presidency.
The Super League Betrayal
Aleksander Čeferin approached CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez to thwart the biennial World Cup project. In spring 2021, six English clubs, three Italian clubs, and three Spanish clubs secretly conspired to launch their own competition, which was ultimately abandoned within 48 hours. Čeferin expressed his naivety regarding the Super League plot, describing the plotters as "snakes" and "the 12 bastards." He further characterized the Super League plot as "a spit in the face of all football lovers." Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, who was close to Čeferin and godfather to one of his daughters, betrayed him regarding the Super League initiative. Following this, Čeferin formed a close alliance with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and the European Club Association, solidifying a powerful front against disruptive initiatives in European football.