Sweden visit for UEFA President

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has visited Sweden, and was able to share in the country’s pleasure at its recent footballing achievements, as well as reinforcing the strong bond between UEFA and the Swedish Football Association (SvFF).

Mr Čeferin met the Swedish FA president and UEFA first vice-president Karl-Erik Nilsson, who welcomed the many initiatives undertaken by Mr Čeferin to develop European football since his election in September 2016.

”I'm very proud of our good cooperation and the clear leadership that Aleksander Čeferin represents,” Mr Nilsson said.

“He has already made major and positive changes in a very short time,” he added. “And he has made them all with engagement and courage. He is ready to seize important questions of the future, such as protecting the game and competitive balance.”

Talks focused in particular on Sweden’s role within UEFA’s GROW programme, which aims to boost football growth across European football through strategic business development collaboration with all of UEFA’s member associations. Karl-Erik Nilsson is a GROW ambassador, and UEFA is working closely with the Swedish association to take the country’s football forward.

Mr Čeferin took the opportunity to congratulate Sweden on its qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Russia earlier this month.

The UEFA President also held talks with the chairman of the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), Lars-Christer Olsson.

UEFA’s Executive Committee recently approved a memorandum of understanding with the EPFL. Following amendments to the UEFA statutes approved by the UEFA Congress in Geneva in September, the EPFL will nominate a representative to sit on the UEFA Executive Committee. This representative will require ratification at the next Ordinary UEFA Congress in Bratislava, Slovakia, in February.

Mr Čeferin also attended the Swedish football gala, where he presented the Swedish Women’s Player of the Year award to Linköpings FC and Sweden striker Kosovare Asllani.

In honour of the UEFA President’s recent 50th birthday, Mr Nilsson presented him with the new Swedish World Cup jersey with the number 50 and his name printed on the back.