The 48-year-old lawyer beat his only challenger, Dutchman Michael van Praag, at the Extraordinary UEFA Congress in Athens with a tally of 42 votes to 13.
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The European Club Association, which is the independent body directly representing football clubs at European level, congratulated Ceferin following his election and expressed a desire to build a positive working relationship.
Ceferin surprised people when he took over the presidency of Slovenia’s football association, the NZS, in 2011 and quickly joined FIFA’s disciplinary committee and UEFA’s legal committee. “My small and handsome Slovenia is also very proud about it. Thank you very much”.
‘Thirdly, I would change the bidding process for big competitions and finals for the Champions League, European Championship and other major events.
Former Uefa president defends his legacy and says he will continue fight to clear his name.
Uefa and European clubs recently agreed changes to the Champions League that will heavily favour the big four leagues, but it has angered the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), who believe this will have a detrimental effect on the continent’s smaller leagues.
Ceferin will take on the remainder of Platini’s term of office, until 2019.
“It is a game, not a product, a sport not a market and a show not a business”, said the Frenchman.
Michel Platini, meanwhile, who has been banned from all football activity for four years over a £1.35m “disloyal payment” received from former Fifa president Sepp Blatter, bid goodbye from football for the one last time.
Before the election Platini was allowed to make a farewell speech having been given special permission to address the congress by world governing body Federation Internationale de Football Association despite his four-year ban.
“You are going to continue this wonderful mission without me”, Platini said.
Loosing candidate van Praag thanked the delegates for an open campaign and called on the countries that had supported him in his campaign to join him in supporting Ceferin.
“But today democracy has spoken and I respect that”.
Platini, who left the stage to a smattering of applause, added: “I want to thank everyone in this room who had the courage and loyalty to support me during the past months”.
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“It is up to him but if he wants my assistance, but I of course offer it to him”.
