Ceferin puts integrity issues at top of his UEFA agenda

September 1 – Aleksander Ceferin, the Slovenian hoping to succeed Michel Platini as the president of the UEFA in two weeks’ time, said he plans to clamp down on corruption, doping and match-fixing if he is elected.

Platini was one of sport’s most powerful figures until he was engulfed by the scandals plaguing FIFA and was banned for ethics violations along with Sepp Blatter.

But while much of the attention has focussed on the recent spate of bans and arrests, match-fixing continues to plague world and European football and Ceferin says it needs to be tackled head-on.

“I will work towards better protection and integrity of our sport by fighting against corruption and match-fixing, against doping and by ensuring a safe football environment for all participants,” Ceferin told Reuters.

Ceferin said he wants UEFA to become “the best sports organisation in the world” and a model for other sports organisations.

President of the Slovenian football Association since 2011, he is vying with  Spain’s Angel Maria Villar and Dutch football chief  Michael van Praag to take over from Platini.

“I believe I can bring a new wind, new ideas and approaches which are necessary for a better role of the UEFA in further development of the European football ,” he added.

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