September 15 – A year into his UEFA presidency, Aleksander Ceferin says strengthening competitive balance will be his biggest priority going forward and singled out deciding to stage last season’s Europa League final in the wake of the Manchester terrorist attack as the toughest decision he had to make.
\UEFA recently opened an investigation into Paris St Germain’s compliance with Financial Fair Play in the wake of their world record €222 million signing of Neymar from Barcelona and prospective deal for Monaco’s currently on-loan Mbappe.
“There are many goals that we have as an organisation for the upcoming year,” said Ceferin. “For example, we need to identify ways of tackling the issue of competitive balance and further strengthen financial fair play. These are crucial for the sustainability of our sport and for making sure it stays open to everyone.”
Ceferin told UEFA’s website that the organisation was now “stronger and more transparent” after cementing relationships with key stakeholders such as clubs and leagues.
Asked to describe his most challenging moment over the last 12 months, he cited the Europa League final in Stockholm in May when Manchester United played Ajax just 48 hours after the Manchester atrocity that left 22 people dead.
“It was very difficult for everyone to organise and play a football match at such a time,” said Ceferin. “Our thoughts and those of the players were with the victims and their relatives, but in the end everyone agreed it was our common duty to show the world that we would not surrender.”
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