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Slovenia’s Ceferin elected as UEFA president

“I have a very big law firm so I don’t need it [the presidency] for my CV or to get something for me personally”, he said.

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He is married to wife Barbara, and has three daughters.

Secondly, he just happens to be a black belt in karate.

The Scottish Football Association said it would vote for the Slovenian. He became an executive committee member of amateur club FC Ljubljana Lawyers in the same year.

The head of Slovenia’s football association Aleksander Ceferi, was elected the new president at the governing body’s 12th extraordinary congress here, reports Sputnik.

The election was not without controversy amid accusations Čeferin was merely a puppet of Federation Internationale de Football Association president Gianni Infantino.

Ceferin succeeds Michel Platini, who resigned after his ban past year.

Ceferin is the seventh president in the 62-year history of UEFA, which every four years organizes the European Championship – the wealthiest competition between national teams after the World Cup.

Former UEFA President Michel Platini, waves after his speech during the vote for the new UEFA president a in Athens, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016.

The current format of the Champions league was introduced in 1992, replacing the European Cup. That’s exactly how it is, we have the same goal, look at our programmes, we want a better UEFA. It would be boring to play in some closed league and it will mean war with UEFA. Although now out of the picture, he made a point of addressing the concerns plaguing European football – notably security and the growing divide between the haves and have-nots highlighted by the proposed Champions League changes. Instead, matches will be spread between 13 cities across the continent.

Ceferin dismissed claims that advisories for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UEFA’s former general secretary, are lobbying to assist the campaign.

Ceferin recognised that he had a lot of work ahead of him. “I’m not a showman”.

Ahead of the voting process Ceferin had assured the delegates that he was “not a man of unrealistic promises”, but that he wanted to tackle all the problems that now surround the game.

Ceferin really emerged as a growing power in global sports in June when he announced his bid to become UEFA president with the backing of over a dozen European associations ranging from Russian Federation to Scandinavian countries. I can not declare myself a leader. “You are going to continue this wonderful mission without me”.

“I am a new person, not part of the old establishment”.

“I think we did a great job and I hope you have enjoyed it and are proud of what we managed together – because I am proud and that is why I wanted to come and speak to you today to say goodbye in person and thank you”.

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“We voted for Ceferin because we believe that he will represent us, understands the problems that nations like us face and has the strength and determination to ensure there is greater equality within UEFA”.

Aleksander Ceferin delivers a speech before the election for the new UEFA President in Athens Greece