Ceferin reveals new digital platform after re-election as UEFA president

Aleksander Ceferin has revealed first details of a new UEFA streaming service and hopes to build bridges with FIFA after his re-election as president of the European football governing body.
The 51-year-old Slovenian was elected for a four-year term by acclamation as the only candidate standing at the 43rd UEFA congress in Rome on Thursday.
“Thank you once again for placing your trust in me, I am both touched and honoured,’’ Ceferin told delegates from the 55 member-nations.
“We are fully aware that a revolution is underway, and are in the process of agreeing historic partnerships with the world’s leading companies in this field,’’ he said in reference to a digital platform called OTT.
Commercial partner Alibaba could be involved in what Ceferin said were “new football technologies or joint e-commerce projects”.
He took charge of UEFA in 2016 to complete the term of previous president Michel Platini who was banned for receiving a disputed payment.
As UEFA president Ceferin is also assured of a vice-president post within world governing body FIFA.
The two organisations have clashed recently over FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s ambitions for a new global Nations League and a revamped Club World Cup.
He said: “We will be a source of constructive ideas for FIFA, rather than one of opposition.
“We are ready to work with the world governing body to ensure that football remains the world’s number one sport, and that Europe continues to lead the way.”
He also encouraged a European bid for the 2030 World Cup after coming editions in Qatar (2022) and the US, Mexico and Canada (2026).