By Adegboyega Adeleye UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has reversed his previous decision not to seek re-election and will stand for a fourth term as head of European football’s governing body. According to the BBC, Ceferin informed delegates from UEFA’s 55 national associations of his decision at a meeting in Berlin. The Slovenian, who was first elected in 2016, had said in February 2024 that he would not seek a fourth term.
His decision came amid controversy over UEFA’s move to change its statutes to allow him to remain in office for another term. However, there had been growing expectations that Ceferin, 58, would reverse his position and seek re-election. The development comes amid growing tensions between UEFA and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
UEFA has been involved in efforts to find a candidate capable of challenging Infantino in the FIFA presidential election after the FIFA president abandoned plans to sell stakes in the governing body’s competitions to private investors following widespread opposition. Ceferin has ruled out standing against Infantino himself but is committed to helping find a candidate who can unite the football community ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March.