In protest against a planned change in the statutes in favor of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, official Zvonimir Boban has resigned from his position as the association’s head of football. In an open letter quoted by several international media outlets, the Croatian criticized the proposed change, according to which Ceferin could remain head of the European Football Union (UEFA) beyond a third term in office.
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“Although I have expressed my deep concern and my total rejection of the proposal, the UEFA President sees no legal or moral-ethical problem,” it said. Ceferin “without a doubt intends to continue with this idea to advance his personal ambitions.”
He “doesn’t pretend to be a hero,” but he knows “that many others have the same opinion,” wrote Boban, who was considered a close confidante of Ceferin. If he accepted a decision “so difficult and so wrong,” he would be “violating principles and general values in which I deeply believe.”
UEFA announced on Thursday that the separation had taken place by “mutual agreement”. The association would like to thank Boban for his “dedicated work” and wish him “good luck for his future career.”
Ceferin took over the post in September 2016 following the resignation of Michel Platini in the middle of an electoral period. However, the first three years should not be counted as the first term of office. A more specific definition could help the Slovenian, who himself introduced the limit as part of a reform package, to direct UEFA’s fortunes for longer than previously permitted. Congress is scheduled to pass the change on February 8th in Paris.