Challenges lie ahead as UEFA president Ceferin set for re-election

Two and a half years after becoming UEFA president in the wake of the scandal that brought down Michel Platini, Aleksander Ceferin will win a new four-year term at the head of European football's governing body on Thursday.

The 51-year-old Slovenian lawyer -- who saw off the Dutchman Michael van Praag in 2016 -- is the only candidate this time in the election for the UEFA president, which will be take place at the organisation's Congress in Rome.

Previously the head of the Slovenian Football Federation, Ceferin's presidency so far has been marked by his discretion and a less charismatic approach than that of Platini.

The Frenchman is still suspended until October this year, when he will complete a four-year ban from all football-related activities following the corruption scandal that also brought down then-FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.

"The situation was ideal. The biggest scandal had tarnished football's image," Ceferin admitted during a recent speech to students in Ljubljana as he discussed the situation when he took over.

"I stood. I was underestimated and when (opponents) realised the situation, it was too late."
- Make his own mark -
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- Bone of contention -
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