On Wednesday, Aleksander \u010ceferin, president of European football\u2019s governing body UEFA, was reelected unopposed for a third four-year term.<\/p>\n
First elected in 2016, \u010ceferin was chosen by acclamation during the organization\u2019s annual Congress in Lisbon. As with his first reelection in 2019, \u010ceferin was the only candidate.<\/p>\n
After re-election, \u010ceferin said, \u201cIt means a lot to me; it is truly an honour but mainly a great responsibility towards you and football. I will do my best not to disappoint you and football.\u201d<\/p>\n
A professional lawyer, the 55-year-old Slovenian took over as UEFA head from France\u2019s Michel Platini, who resigned over a conflict of interest and abuse of power scandal. Platini and then-FIFA boss Sepp Blatter later faced criminal charges in that case in Switzerland but were acquitted last July.<\/p>\n
\u010ceferin has proved to be a smooth political operator, cultivating critical relationships in Brussels and national capitals.UEFA, which organizes the international European Championship and the flagship Champions League, has faced several challenges under \u010ceferin\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
In April 2021, the UEFA president survived an internal mutiny. This was when some of the biggest football clubs in Europe attempted to create a breakaway Super League, gathering the elite of European football. The project faced widespread backlash from fans and politicians and collapsed less than two days after launch.<\/p>\n
\nBREAKING! Aleksander \u010ceferin has been re-elected UEFA president for a third four-year term. pic.twitter.com\/cXNTZchNtk<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n