Ceferin reverses stance and will seek fourth Uefa term

WHAT HAPPENED

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has informed delegates from the 55 national associations in Berlin that he will stand for a fourth term as head of European football's governing body. Ceferin thanked the associations for their backing, saying: "I want to thank the national associations for their trust. We have faced extraordinary challenges over the past years, and we have faced them as one team. There is still important work ahead, and I have therefore accepted their request."

KEY CONTEXT

Ceferin, first elected in 2016, had earlier said in February 2024 he would not seek re-election. That position was reversed amid a row over Uefa changing its statutes to allow him to serve a fourth term and growing expectations he would stand. The 58-year-old has ruled out standing against Fifa president Gianni Infantino personally but said he is committed to finding "a candidate the game can unite around" for Fifa's presidential election.

Uefa used the Berlin meeting to reaffirm its opposition to Infantino and published a 14-point plan aimed at reforming world football's governing body. The plan focuses on institutional governance, including removing some direct presidential powers, preventing presidential or executive interference in oversight bodies that cover ethics and disciplinary matters, and prohibiting the use of Fifa resources for personal or electoral interests. Uefa also proposed that at least $10m of additional funding should be made available to each of Fifa's 211 member associations. Fifty-four national associations backed the direction for Fifa reform at the meeting; Azerbaijan was the only exception.

The Uefa document states: "Fifa also needs new leadership: a respected and unifying figure, deeply rooted in football, with the vision and experience to lead, the ability to command confidence across regions and an unequivocal commitment to development, reform, integrity and independence."

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Gianni Infantino is due to stand for re-election as Fifa president in March. No confirmed challenger has emerged; former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has said he intends to stand, but it is unclear whether he can secure the five letters of support required to get on the ballot paper.

WHY IT MATTERS

The decision signals Uefa's continued, public push for change at Fifa and positions Ceferin at the centre of European football's response to governance issues raised in its reform plan. The measures Uefa is proposing aim to limit presidential power and strengthen independent oversight at world level.