They voted for the President of UEFA with claps

President of the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA) Aleksander Čeferin was re-elected on Wednesday for a new, already third term. The election took place on a non-alternative basis, so the Slovenian will have the opportunity to complete the reform of the Champions League initiated by him, the format of which will change as early as next year. True, this reform does not seem to affect Russian football yet. Mr. Čeferin said that until the hostilities in Ukraine come to an end, it will be difficult to resolve the issue of the return of Russian clubs and teams to the international arena.

On Wednesday, the UEFA congress took place in Lisbon, the key issue on the agenda of which was the election of the president of the governing structure of European football. True, there was no intrigue. The current head of UEFA, Alexander Ceferin, was the only candidate and got “chosen” acclamation, expressed in a storm of applause from the delegates of the congress. About the same pattern in mid-March was able to extend his powers and President of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Gianni Infantino.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that both Mr. Ceferin and Gianni Infantino did not face competition, no. Both UEFA and FIFA are doing well.

For example, Gianni Infantino promised before his re-election that in the next four-year cycle FIFA plans to bring revenues to a record $11 billion, which could not fail to resonate with the delegates of the FIFA Congress. Alexander Ceferin did not refer to the figures, but this was not required. In early March, UEFA released the financial report for the previous season, and it turned out to be quite convincing. For the first time in its history, the structure in a season when the European Championship was not held, was able to earn more than €4 billion (€4.051 billion, to be exact). UEFA received more only in 2016 and 2021, just thanks to the European championships – € 4.58 billion and € 5.72 billion, respectively. True, if you find fault with the details, it turns out that the UEFA reporting period has passed with a loss. It amounted to €76 million against a profit of €22 million a season earlier. Here it is worth recalling that UEFA distributes almost all the funds received between clubs, national teams and allocates for various programs, leaving about 2.5% of income for its functioning. Thus, €2.48 billion (a record figure) was allocated to encourage clubs participating in European competitions, significant funds went to solidarity payments and support for national associations. As for the loss, UEFA explained it by the still affecting consequences of the pandemic, during which there was a need to more actively support the national federations. The deficit was covered by UEFA’s reserves, which fell below €500m for the first time in a decade. But there are plans to return to the target again. In the 2021-2024 cycle, UEFA’s total revenue should be close to €11 billion.

Alexander Čeferin, making a speech of thanks, did not fail to recall his favorite topic – the fight against the Superleague project.

In 2021, a dozen top European clubs tried to create a rival to the Champions League outside of UEFA control, but Mr Ceferin succeeded in the project strangle and earn a reputation as a very strong leader.

Although the signs of life Superleague still trying to file: The case is currently pending before the European Court of Justice, which must decide whether UEFA violates antitrust laws. “Those who promoted this project (the Super League is still supported by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.— “b”), are now talking about wanting to save football. Does anyone believe them? Incompatible views collide here: cynicism against morality, selfishness against solidarity, greed against charity, shameless lies against the truth,” Alexander Ceferin said.

However, no matter how much Mr. Čeferin talks about the fight against greed, if the projects he promotes do not give a financial return, it will not be easy for him to be re-elected in 2027. The key one will start in 2024. We are talking about the entry into force of the reform of the Champions League. It will no longer have group stages in the current sense. Instead, a single league of 36 teams will be formed. They will play before the playoffs according to the Swiss system and will play eight games with different opponents. So far, everything is going to the fact that the launch of the format will do without Russia, which, after the start of events in Ukraine, UEFA removed from international tournaments. “My personal opinion is that until hostilities stop, it will be very difficult to change anything,” said Alexander Čeferin, making it clear that the imminent lifting of sanctions should not be expected.

Alexander Petrov