By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Twenty-four hours after lambasting organisers of the European Super League, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin struck a still-forceful but more philosophical tone today as he summed up his annus horribilis marked by the Covid-19 pandemic that sent football behind closed doors and the creation of the breakaway grouping UEFA had tried desperately to stave off.
Addressing UEFA’s 55 member federations who were able to attend the confederation’s annual congress in person rather by video-conference, Ceferin thanked broadcasting partners, sponsors and all other stakeholders for sticking with UEFA during unprecedented times, insisting that the numerous financial and sporting setbacks endured over the past year would ultimately make his organisation stronger as a unifying force.
“We have shown that when football, as a whole, is faced with an unprecedented situation, we talk to each other, we listen to each other, and we find solutions,” said Ceferin who pinpointed several “painful” decisions, not least the “agonising” one of having to postpone Euro 2020 for a year.
“With crises and emergencies part of our everyday life, we have performed miracle after miracle and made it seem almost normal. But, my friends, it was all but normal,” he continued.
“Our stadiums have stood empty for far too long; this emptiness is, in our opinion, unbearable. When, after lying dormant for several months, football returned, first in Germany and then in Spain, England, Italy and the vast majority of other European countries, it gave people a framework again. It gave people their bearings back.”
“By the time the EURO kicks off in June, a large proportion of the public will have been vaccinated, rapid tests will be available and drastic health measures will be in place to further ensure the event is safe. We will not take any risks: everything will be done collaboratively, always with the agreement of the relevant authorities.”
Ceferin made a point in his address of taking to task the “cowards” responsible for the scourge of racist abuse that has been prevalent on social media in recent months.
“This is unacceptable and needs to be stopped. Allowing a culture of hatred to grow with impunity is dangerous, very dangerous, not only for football, but for society as a whole.
“Trace, identify and isolate: this is the health strategy that many countries have adopted to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Trace, identify, isolate and punish: this is the strategy the authorities should adopt in order to stamp out the virus of hatred on social networks.
“I urge everyone – players, clubs and national associations – to lodge formal complaints whenever players, coaches, referees or officials are victims of unacceptable tweets or messages. We’ve had enough of these cowards who hide behind their anonymity to spew out their noxious ideologies. Enough.”
Only towards the end of his 20-minute address did Ceferin move on to the subject of the Super League renegades he so savagely attacked on Monday at a press conference.
“For some, supporters have become consumers, fans have become customers and competitions have become products. Pre-match, they no longer look at team line-ups, but at betting odds and numbers of followers on Twitter,” he said.
“And after the final whistle, it is no longer the league tables they consult, but viewing figures and share prices. Champions League elimination for some is no longer a sporting failure, it is an industrial risk that some are no longer willing to take.
“The ultimate aim, for some, is no longer to decorate the club’s trophy cabinet with silverware, but to fill the bank account with cash. Contempt (for smaller clubs, for supporters respectful of tradition and for all the institutions) is replacing ethics. Selfishness is replacing solidarity.
“Some CEOs change clubs like they change their shirts or even faster. Money has become more important than glory, greed more important than loyalty, and dividends much more important than passion. We hear day and night about owners, owners, owners… What or whom do they own? “
The Slovenian, who has endured the most challenging and stressful year of his presidency so far, ended by specifically denouncing the six English clubs who have signed up to the Super League and urged them to change their minds.
“Gentlemen, you have made a huge mistake,” he charged. “Some will say it is greed, others disdain, arrogance, flippancy or complete ignorance of England’s football culture. Actually, it doesn’t matter.
“What matters is that there is still time to change your mind. Everyone makes mistakes in life. English fans deserve to have you correct your mistake. They deserve respect.”
Then, as if to sum up the outcry over the shameful behaviour of the Super League protagonists, Ceferin delivered a personal touch to one single fan.
“Yesterday I received an email from a Tottenham Hotspur fan. Trevor. A very touching email, with two simple but strong messages: If you read the email, you would be close to crying.
- “I am terribly disappointed by my club”.
- “if I can help in any way to help stop the breakaway, please let me know”.
“England, this incredible nation with such strong and unique links to football, deserves to have you correct your mistake. Turn back, come to your senses.”
As the congress closed two hours later, member associations unanimously approved a declaration, read out by Ceferin, which condemned what he described as “this super league which is anything but super.”
“The conspirator clubs have obviously failed to see that their status today was not achieved in isolation,” it stated in part. “It is an affront to European values and sporting merit for them to assume they are entitled to separate and lay claim to the legacy that everyone built.
“UEFA, its member associations and all those who love football stand firm and will strongly fight against this move by club owners and their backers to the fullest extent possible. We know morally what is at stake. We are European football and they are not.”
It was as close to a declaration of war as you could get.
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