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Wants to quit as UEFA boss in 2027: Aleksander Ceferin.
© Christophe Ena/AP
Aleksander Ceferin could stand for election as UEFA president again in 2027.
But he doesn't want that.
He uses his surprising announcement to harshly scold him.
Paris - Aleksander Ceferin stubbornly read from a piece of paper during his momentous coup.
“I am tired of Covid, tired of two wars, of nonsense projects like the so-called Super League,” said the UEFA President in Paris and, completely surprisingly, declared that he would not stand for re-election in 2027.
Only an hour earlier, the Congress of the European Football Union had cleared the way for a new candidacy by changing the statutes - but Ceferin used the moment to scold his critics and the media for a long time.
“It was extremely amusing to see this hysteria,” said Ceferin, who thinly allowed three questions, but actually didn’t feel like answering them anymore.
The 56-year-old said his decision was made six months ago.
After a certain time, every organization needs “fresh blood”.
His family knew first and he could look in the mirror with peace of mind.
He left the press room at the Maison de la Mutualité with a stare in his eyes.
Ceferin criticizes former intimacy
In recent weeks there has been wild speculation about a rebellion in UEFA due to the planned change to the statutes to loosen his term limits.
Former professional Zvonimir Boban, who had been a close advisor to Ceferin for the first time in September 2016, resigned from his high-ranking position in UEFA in protest and criticized the UEFA President.
Ceferin did not name his former intimate, but left little doubt who he meant with his criticism.
“I am also tired of self-proclaimed moral authorities who claim they are moral until their personal interests come into play,” Ceferin said, calling his public criticism a “pathetic cry.”
“He was one of the few people who knew I wouldn’t be competing again.”
Ceferin added that he met “a lot of great people” in football.
“The majority are not clowns.” He has a “beautiful life” in football, but also an equally wonderful one outside of sport.
Was the DFB boss informed?
The extent to which DFB President Bernd Neuendorf was already privy to the plans remained unclear.
Immediately after the congress, the 62-year-old emphasized his great appreciation for Ceferin.
“We have had very close communication since I took office,” especially because of the European Championships in Germany in the summer, said Neuendorf - shortly before Ceferin announced his move at the press conference.
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At the congress, only three of 55 national associations voted against voting en bloc on various statute changes.
As a result, there was no deeper debate about the individual statutes.
The changes themselves were approved by a large majority.
Due to the new wording, Ceferin's first term in office, in which he completed the remaining term of his suspended predecessor Michel Platini, does not count towards the maximum possible twelve years in office.
UEFA primarily relies on a legal opinion according to which the previous wording of the statutes was not compatible with Swiss law.
Neuendorf also emphasized that the changes cannot be legally challenged.
The umbrella organization is based in Nyon.
Ceferin, who was confirmed in office by acclamation last year, raged: “I am a lawyer and have read articles about me without being asked.” The UEFA President justified his long silence by saying that he was “the real thing “Face of some people” I wanted to see.
“And I saw it.” dpa