11 December 2023 , 07:54
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Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill is reportedly trying to prevent UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin from extending his period in power.
Ceferin has been in charge of UEFA since 2016, when he was elected to replace Michel Platini, who stepped down after being banned by FIFA for receiving an unauthorised payment from Sepp Blatter. The Slovenian lawyer was re-elected in 2019 and again earlier this year, unopposed, and is currently due to step down in 2027 as UEFA’s rules only allow three terms in office.
However, Ceferin and his allies have reportedly been plotting changes to the UEFA Statutes that would permit him to stay in power until 2031. The Daily Mail reports that Gill, in his position on the UEFA Executive Committee, is leading the resistance to the proposals, which were tabled at a meeting in Hamburg last week.
Gill, who served as United chief executive from 2003 to 2013, is said to believe that Ceferin’s plans are ‘undemocratic’ and ‘not in the best interests of football’. The 66-year-old is apparently concerned that extending Ceferin’s stay could see European football’s governing body slip back into the old habits which defined Platini’s time in charge.
Ceferin’s attempts to hold onto power have caused friction behind the scenes at UEFA and the conflict is set to continue behind the scenes until the UEFA Congress in February, when the ExCo members will vote. Ceferin only needs a simple majority of 28 votes from the 55 members to have his proposals ratified.
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His power-grab would mirror what has taken place at FIFA with Gianni Infantino, who took over from Blatter in 2016 and has entrenched himself in the role as president. FIFA also has a three-term limit, but the FIFA Council ruled last year that Infantino’s first 39 months in office did not count because he had stepped in to replace Blatter, clearing the way for him to stay in charge until 2031.
Since taking over from Platini seven years ago, Ceferin has positioned himself as a reformer. The 56-year-old was emboldened when he became one of the leading voices in opposition to the proposed breakaway European Super League in April 2021.
Aleksander Ceferin wants to extend his stay as UEFA president (AP)After being re-elected in April this year, he said: “European football is already global. And while we are reaping the benefits, we are also paying the price. There have been temptations, and even attempts, to create new models, but they conflict with the European model that we know so well and cherish so dearly.
“Our model is based on sporting merit. Where we come from, merit doesn't have a price. Merit can't be claimed. It can't be acquired. It can only be earned. Season by season. On and off the pitch. There's no room for cartels on this continent.”