Aleksander Ceferin reverses course to seek fourth term as UEFA president

Aleksander Ceferin had previously said he would not seek another term as UEFA president in 2027. Adnkronos dates that earlier announcement to 2024, while L'Équipe reports that he has now reversed his decision.

The change comes as European football leaders discuss the leadership of the sport's world governing body. On October 7, Al Jazeera reported that leaders were gathering in Berlin to shape a strategy to oust FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

On October 8, The Hindu reported that UEFA had called its 55 member federations to a previously scheduled Berlin summit. The meeting arrived amid European efforts to find a new leader for FIFA.

Ceferin used that gathering to tell delegates he would stand for a fourth term, according to the BBC. ESPN FC also reported his planned candidacy, citing sources who spoke to the Press Association.

The same day, La Repubblica reported that all the federations supported Ceferin and identified Astana as the venue for the April 22 election. L'Équipe separately reported the April 22 date for UEFA's electoral congress.

The FIFA discussions continued alongside that announcement. Al Jazeera reported on October 8 that UEFA had drawn up qualities required of a candidate to run against Infantino in March's election.

Ceferin is seeking another term, not yet securing one. No opposing candidate is named in the supplied coverage, and the report of support from all federations in La Repubblica suggests a strong starting position.

His decision also changes the discussion about a possible FIFA challenger. According to DIE ZEIT, seeking a fourth UEFA term takes a Ceferin candidacy against Infantino off the table. The coverage does not identify an alternative challenger.

The next concrete UEFA milestone is the April 22 electoral congress, reported by L'Équipe, with Astana named as the venue by La Repubblica. Whether anyone challenges Ceferin remains an open question.

Separately, UEFA's candidate criteria for March's FIFA election need to translate into an actual contender. Al Jazeera reports the effort to define those criteria, but the supplied coverage does not name a candidate.