Aleksander Ceferin was re-elected as UEFA president on Wednesday, April 5, after running unopposed in the latest European Football governing body meeting in Lisbon. Ceferin has been the president of European Football since 2016. He will serve until 2027 and will supervise the new Champions League structure, which will include 36 clubs in 2024.
Despite a tumultuous second term highlighted by the breakaway European Super League initiative, the 55-year-old Slovenian lawyer, elected in 2016 following the departure of Frenchman Michel Platini, was assured of a further four years in the job. The UEFA Congress in Lisbon came just a few weeks after Gianni Infantino was re-elected unopposed as FIFA president.
Starting in 2024, Ceferin will see the implementation of a new format for the UEFA Champions League, which will use the so-called “Swiss system” model for a group stage with 36 clubs, up from the present 32. Ceferin, who has recently hinted at loosening restrictions that prevent clubs with the same owners from competing in European championships, should expect inquiries about these issues.
Besides the Champions League reform, the president’s agenda includes the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, which would require clubs to limit expenditure on player and staff wages, transfers, and agent fees to 70% of total revenues by 2025/26.
Other than that, the referencing scandal in Barcelona and the likely expulsion of Belarus from UEFA competitions are on the agenda. Belarus, like Russia, has been encouraged to be removed due to its support for Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Belarus is competing in the Euro 2024 qualifications, which began last month with defeats over Switzerland and Romania. UEFA also confirmed on Tuesday that Switzerland will host the Women’s Euro 2025.