Ceferin: “Cynicism against morality”
UEFA president shows pugnacity if re-elected
04/05/2023 1:13 p.m
With a critical speech, Aleksander Ceferin got the UEFA delegates in the mood for his re-election. It takes place unopposed, but the Slovenian uses the performance for a frontal attack on a “wolf disguised as a grandmother, ready to eat you”. And will – of course – be confirmed in office.
As expected, Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected President of the European Football Union. The 55-year-old Slovenian was confirmed in office unopposed by applause at the UEFA Congress in Lisbon. Ceferin has led the continental federation since September 2016 and did not have to face any competition when he was re-elected for the first time in 2019. He took over the post seven years ago as the successor to Michel Platini, who was suspended at the time.
As head of UEFA, Ceferin is also vice-president of the world association FIFA. “It really means a lot to me,” Ceferin said. “It’s a great honor, but above all a great, great responsibility.” He will do his best not to “disappoint” the UEFA delegates and football.
Previously, the old and new UEFA president had warned of the sell-out of football and sharply criticized the new Super League plans. “It’s really good that nobody has ever died of shame,” said the Slovenian towards the Super League makers. He sees a “wolf disguised as a grandmother ready to eat you,” Ceferin said, referring to the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale.
“Greed vs. Benevolence”
The founders of the once failed Super League – FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus Turin – are currently making a new attempt to establish a product that competes with the UEFA competitions. The European Court of Justice is also involved, which continues to examine whether the UEFA model is compatible with EU law. Ceferin spoke of “cynicism versus morality. Selfishness versus solidarity. Greed versus goodwill.” As a further pair of opposites he named: “Shameless lies versus the truth. Profit thinking versus hunger for titles”. In his speech, Ceferin also addressed the governments of Europe and thanked them for their support: “They understood what was at stake.”
The 55-year-old introduced several warning sentences in the Centro de Congressos in Lisbon with “We must never forget”. “We must never forget how fragile football is,” Ceferin said during his speech shortly before his re-election, alluding to the increasing influence of investors. He sees a “risky, ruthless manner that defies all logic and principles”. “Football is part of our legacy,” said Ceferin. “He belongs to everyone who loves football, who loves this wonderful game.”