By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – Using language such as “sickened” and “death sentence”, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin pulled no punches today as he renewed his attack on racism and threats to the international calendar and UEFA’s competitions – issues that continue to be of grave concern to the administration of European football’s governing body.
Ceferin used his address to the 55-nation UEFA Congress in Amsterdam to keep such topics in the spotlight as well as defend the commercial growth of his organisation with constant references to “purpose over profit” .
The Slovenian admitted that tackling racism was still a daunting challenge and urged victims to apply UEFA’s protocol.
“Many of us have been sickened by what we have witnessed in a number of European stadiums this season,” said Ceferin.
“Things need to change. We must begin by applying the rules we already have. That would be a good starting point. That means applying the three-step procedure. We must not be afraid to do so. Everywhere. No exceptions.
“In the last three seasons, the UEFA disciplinary bodies have imposed 73 partial stadium closures and ordered 39 matches to be played behind closed doors following incidents of discrimination.
“That shows that we are doing what is currently in our power to do. But it also shows what a serious problem it is, and that we need to do more. More, and perhaps differently.”
Defending UEFA’s massively increased revenues, Ceferin repeatedly insisted the organisation had got its priorities right.
“Should we be ashamed that we increased our revenue by 38% in a single season? Should we be ashamed that we redistributed record sums, giving 50% more money to teams that participated in our competitions? Should we be ashamed to be considered the home of the best football in the world? Purpose over profit. That is the key.”
But in what some observers will interpret as a criticism of how rivals Fifa operate and the expansionist policy under Gianni Infantino, not least the new-look Club World Cup, Ceferin added pointedly: “When purpose over profit becomes profit over purpose, it is time to raise the alarm.”
It certainly raised eyebrows as he went on: “Football is not simply a business like any other. It has a history, tradition and structure that must be respected.
“The football pyramid is delicate and must not be knocked off balance. Certain projects, some devised on other continents with the backing of governing bodies, are particularly worrying. Supporters are not consumers. Or customers. They are supporters. Players are not machines. Or products, or pawns. They are players.
“No football administrator, no matter the size of the ego, should think we are the stars of the game. We are only the guardians of the game.”
Interestingly the reference to “egos” was missing from the draft of Ceferin’s speech sent to the media, suggesting it was an off-the-cuff remark possibly directed at Infantino, who was sitting just yards away in the cavernous conference hall and who had earlier himself spoken of the need to “build bridges”.
It was one of many remarks open to interpretation, as was what appeared to be the latest warning against threats to the Champions League and European football’s status quo by a potential super league.
“There are certain principles that are sacrosanct,” Ceferin said. “The principles of solidarity, of promotion, relegation and open leagues are also non-negotiable. Our principles, history, tradition and structure are the reason for our current success. Calling them into question would be a death sentence for our sport.”
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