UEFA President Open to Reducing Football Fixture Schedule

G. E (Elbotola)

23 April 2026at16:45

Aleksander Čeferin, President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), has expressed his readiness to review and reduce the current football fixture schedule. He believes that recently introduced competitions have led to an unsustainable accumulation of matches. Speaking at "The Forum," organized by Spanish club Atlético Madrid, Čeferin clarified that any move to alleviate match congestion would fundamentally depend on achieving a comprehensive consensus among all stakeholders in the sport.

During an interview with journalist Vicente Valles, Čeferin emphasized that recent tournaments have increased the burden on both players and clubs. The UEFA President stated: "The recent competitions that were created were too much, and I am ready to go back if everyone agrees to it." He also indicated that the football community faces two pivotal choices: either to reverse the current expansion or to continue with the status quo, asserting: "Either we go back or we stay as we are now."

In a related context, the continental official addressed other organizational and technical issues during the Madrid event. He defended the new Champions League system despite ongoing debate regarding fixture congestion. His discussion extended beyond the schedule, also covering the potential risks of multi-club ownership and its impact on the integrity of competitions, while acknowledging some shortcomings in refereeing performance, particularly concerning handball incidents within the penalty area.

Q&A

What is UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin's stance on the football fixture schedule?

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin is open to reducing the football fixture schedule, believing that recently introduced competitions have led to an unsustainable accumulation of matches. He expressed his readiness to review the current system to alleviate player and club burden.

Why does Aleksander Čeferin believe the current football schedule is unsustainable?

Aleksander Čeferin believes the current football schedule is unsustainable because recent competitions have significantly increased the burden on both players and clubs. He stated that these new tournaments were "too much," leading to excessive match congestion across the sport.

What is required for UEFA to reduce the football fixture schedule?

For UEFA to reduce the football fixture schedule, a comprehensive consensus among all stakeholders in the sport is fundamentally required. Čeferin indicated that the football community faces a pivotal choice: either reverse the current expansion or maintain the status quo.

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