UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has declared that he won’t seek re-election in 2027, despite a recent vote by UEFA to amend its regulations to allow him to do so.
The vote, which permitted the 56-year-old to potentially extend his term until 2031, marked a departure from UEFA’s tradition, as no president has served for more than a decade. However, Ceferin, who is already set to surpass this milestone when his current tenure ends in 2027, has opted to step down at that time.
His decision was confirmed after England’s Football Association, among others, opposed allowing Ceferin to run for re-election.
Ceferin explained, “I made the decision about six months ago that I won’t be running in 2027. Every organization needs fresh leadership, and after seven years, it’s time for a change. Additionally, I’ve been away from my family for too long.”
Previously, UEFA presidents were limited to three terms, but a motion to extend this limit was supported by 49 out of 55 UEFA associations.
This development follows UEFA’s technical director Zvonimir Boban’s resignation in January, citing concerns about the departure from the organization’s values if Ceferin stayed on for another term. Ceferin dismissed Boban’s comments as a “pathetic cry,” asserting that Boban was aware of his decision not to seek re-election.
With Ceferin’s announcement to step down in 2027, UEFA will soon be ushering in a new era of leadership.
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