FSGC leadership at the 49th UEFA Congress, Čeferin: “When I talk about building and uniting I think of Atalanta, Olympiakos and San Marino”

Among the key moments of the 49th UEFA Congress, hosted by the Serbian FA at the Sava Congress Centar in Belgrade yesterday, the opening speech by president Aleksander Čeferin stressed the value of football fairy tales, against-the-odds victories and the emotions that the game can spark at every level. The head of European football once again set the Super League project in contrast with UEFA’s mission “to unite and inspire”, providing some concrete examples: “[…] they think Europe’s big teams should only play each other, the best against the best. Yet what did we see only last year? Atalanta’s triumph in the Europa League, an Olympiakos in ecstasy after winning the Conference League, outstanding performances – for example – from Georgia and Slovenia at the Euros, and we also witnessed two San Marino victories in the Nations League. This is what collective spirit means.”

Words that filled FSGC President Marco Tura with pride. He travelled to Belgrade together with Vice President Grana and General Secretary Zafferani to take part in the Congress proceedings. Among the items on the agenda were the election of ten members of the UEFA Executive Committee (eight for a four-year term, including at least one woman, and four for a two-year term) and of five members of the FIFA Council for four years (including at least one woman). The UEFA Congress confirmed FIGC President Gabriele Gravina on the Executive Committee, appointing him First UEFA Vice President: “An extraordinary recognition of the important contribution made by Italian football,” commented the head of the Italian FA.

The UEFA Congress continued with the awarding of UEFA honorary member status to David Gill, Karl-Erik Nilsson and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The Congress also marked the tenth anniversary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, whose mission is to improve the living conditions of vulnerable young generations all over the world.