In a room where Europe’s club game gathered to shape its future, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi made his preference unmistakable: Aleksander Ceferin should remain UEFA president beyond 2027.
Al-Khelaifi, who also leads the European Football Clubs association, used the EFC general assembly on Tuesday to call publicly for Ceferin to seek another four-year term at UEFA’s elective congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 22 April 2027.
Speaking directly to the Slovenian UEFA chief, who was present at the meeting, the PSG president praised his handling of club issues and urged him to reconsider his previously stated intention to leave office.
“I cannot speak about UEFA without speaking about its president,” al-Khelaifi said. “Aleksander, I know you are tired of my daily calls and messages with all the requests from the clubs. I call you more often than your wife does.”
He thanked Ceferin for what he described as his patience, his backing of clubs and his willingness to defend football’s interests in difficult circumstances.
“Football needs strong leaders such as you,” al-Khelaifi added. “On behalf of more than 900 EFC clubs, we ask you to stand again for the presidency next year.”
Ceferin had said he would leave in 2027
Ceferin had surprised European football by declaring in February 2024 that he did not intend to pursue another mandate when his current term ends in 2027.
At UEFA’s congress in Paris on 8 February 2024, he explained that the strain of living away from his family in Slovenia had influenced his decision. He said he had already spent seven years apart from them and would remain away for another three years until 2027.
His position now appears open to change. The expectation is that Ceferin could stand again in Astana, with support from the EFC and its president forming a significant public endorsement ahead of the vote.
Should he reverse his earlier decision, Ceferin could argue that the demand from clubs and the wider football community has persuaded him to continue his work at UEFA.
