49th UEFA Congress Wraps Up in Belgrade with Key Elections
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The 49th UEFA Congress in Belgrade marked a historic first for Serbia, featuring significant elections for the UEFA Executive Committee and the FIFA Council, alongside honoring outgoing members for their contributions to European football.
Key Takeaways
- Historic Congress held in Belgrade for the first time.
- Seven positions filled in the UEFA Executive Committee.
- Five representatives elected for the FIFA Council.
- Honorary memberships awarded to outgoing members.
- UEFA emphasizes unity and diversity in football.
Belgrade, April 4 (NationPress) The 49th UEFA Congress wrapped up on Thursday in Belgrade, marking a historic moment as it was the first time this significant event took place in the Serbian capital. During the congress, elections for the UEFA Executive Committee were conducted, successfully filling seven positions for a four-year term.
An additional five representatives were selected for the FIFA Council, also serving a four-year term. In a gesture of appreciation, outgoing Executive Committee members David Gill, Karl-Erik Nilsson, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge received honorary UEFA membership for their remarkable contributions to UEFA and the landscape of European football throughout their tenures.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the role of European football as a paradigm of unity, pointing to the collaboration between Serbia and Albania in co-hosting the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as a prime example.
"European football is a movement that thrives on unity, Diversity, and a shared purpose," he stated. "This unity permeates every facet of the sport, involving clubs and national teams, men and women across all ages, from elite to grassroots players."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino lauded Serbia's rich football heritage, labeling it a "football nation" and reminiscing about its U-20 World Cup triumph in 2015, along with the historical prowess of Yugoslav football, as reported by Xinhua.
Opening the Congress, Serbia's acting Prime Minister Milos Vucevic expressed his deep pride and privilege for Serbia to host such a prestigious event. He quoted football legend Marco van Basten to reflect on the unifying essence of the sport.
Football Association of Serbia (FSS) President Dragan Dzajic welcomed the guests and underscored the nation's football accomplishments.
"Welcome to the home of European and world champions in 2013 and 2015, the European runners-up of 1968, the club champions of Europe and the world in 1991, and the European runners-up of 1966," he stated.
In addition, UEFA announced Karl-Erik Nilsson, David Gill, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as honorary members of the Executive Committee.
