Uefa’s technical director, Zvonimir Boban, has resigned in objection to Aleksander Ceferin’s plan to extend his tenure as president.
Ceferin, who succeeded Michel Platini in 2016 and implemented a three-term limit for executive roles as part of his reforms, is now seeking to amend the rule to extend his presidency until 2031.
Despite initially advocating for a maximum of three terms in office, he is aiming to remain in power beyond his scheduled 2027 departure.
Zvonimir Boban, a former Croatia midfielder, criticized this move, describing it as “beyond comprehension.”
Ceferin, elected unopposed for a second term last year, might have the opportunity to stand for re-election in 2027 if the proposed changes to the three-term limit are successful.
Ceferin’s supporters are pushing for an amendment because he assumed office during the middle of Platini’s four-year term, resulting in the proposal that any appointments made before 2017 would not be considered within the permissible three-term limit.
David Gill, a Uefa executive committee member and former Manchester United chief executive, voiced opposition to the proposal during a recent executive committee meeting, contending that it would tarnish Uefa’s image.
Despite his objections, it seems likely to be officially approved at the upcoming congress in Paris.
Boban, who led Uefa’s newly formed Football Board featuring prominent figures such as Jose Mourinho, Carlos Ancelotti, and Gareth Southgate, designed to provide an unbiased perspective on major football issues, deems this outcome unacceptable.
“Despite having expressed my deepest concern and total disapproval, the Uefa president does not consider there to be any legal issues with the proposed changes, let alone any moral or ethical ones, and he intends to move forward regardless in pursuit of his personal aspirations,” he said.
“Ironically, it was the Uefa president himself that proposed and launched a set of reforms in 2017 which were introduced to prevent such a possibility.
“These rules were designed to protect Uefa and European football from the ‘bad governance’ which for years had unfortunately been the ‘modus operandi’ of what is often referred to as the ‘old system’ of football governance.
“The reforms were to football’s great credit, and that of the Uefa president. His shift away from these values is beyond comprehension.
“I fully appreciate that nothing is ideal, let alone myself, and at times compromises may be necessary. However, being party to this would go against all the principles and values I wholeheartedly believe in and stand for.
“I am not trying to be some sort of hero, especially as I am not alone in my thinking here.
“During the past three years, my relationship and collaboration with the Uefa president, and all my colleagues at Uefa, has been excellent. I am thankful for this, and I wish them all the best. It is with sorrow, and a heavy heart, I have no option but to leave Uefa.”