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Aleksander Čeferin: 'Football will come first'

New UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin spoke of the "great honour and responsibility" of taking the helm of European football and promised to lead UEFA boldly into a new chapter of its history.

Aleksander Čeferin addresses the 12th Extraordinary UEFA Congress
Aleksander Čeferin addresses the 12th Extraordinary UEFA Congress ©Getty Images for UEFA

Aleksander Čeferin has spoken of his pride at being elected as UEFA's seventh president at the 12th UEFA Extraordinary Congress in Athens.

"Thank you for your fantastic support," the 48-year-old Slovenian told representatives of UEFA’s 55 member associations, after being voted to the helm of European football.

"It is a great honour, but it is at the same time a great responsibility," he said. "It means a lot to me, and to my family, who are very proud about it. My small but beautiful Slovenia is also very proud, and I hope that one day, you will also be proud of me."

Speaking to the Congress before his election, Čeferin had promised to lead UEFA into an era of "stability, hope, balance and friendship", adding: "We can reach our common goals only by constant dialogue and work together.

"I am a team player – I am not a showman. I am ready to deliver the projects to take UEFA to a new level. I want the associations to take centre stage – let's develop the game together, and let's protect it together."

Čeferin promised a "new and clear vision, to open a new chapter in the history of this amazing organisation, building bridges for all – and football will come first. It is what I promise to all of you today".

 

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