Marijan Kustić Elected to the UEFA Executive Committee!

In a significant moment for Croatian football, Kustić was elected to UEFA’s highest decision-making body in the first round with 42 votes from UEFA’s 55 member associations. His mandate in the Executive Committee will last for four years. The HNS president was among 11 candidates competing for seven full-term positions in UEFA’s Executive Committee.

Also elected to the Executive Committee were Frank Paauw (Netherlands, 49 votes), Gabriele Gravina (Italy, 48), Hans-Joachim Watzke (Germany, 48), Ari Lahti (Finland, 41), Aivar Pohlak (Estonia, 37), and Armen Melikbekyan (Armenia, 29), while Lisa Klaveness was unanimously elected as a committee member.

Kustić’s election to UEFA’s Executive Committee, the body responsible for all key decisions in European football, is a great recognition for Croatian football and the HNS. It serves as a testament to the federation’s dedicated work within UEFA and its relationships with other national associations.

Foto: Getty Images

Alongside Kustić, the Croatian Football Federation was officially represented at the UEFA Congress by Secretary General Tomislav Svetina and Head of the International Department Josip Tomaško. Supporting President Kustić at the Congress was a large HNS delegation, including Vice President Nenad Horvatić, Head of Competitions Department Neven Šprajcer, Technical Director of the A and U-21 national teams Stipe Pletikosa, Operational Assistant to the President’s Office Blago Jakovljević, Spokesperson Tomislav Pacak, and official photographer Drago Sopta. Additionally, HNS Licensing Manager Ivančica Sudac attended as the first Vice President of UEFA’s Club Licensing Committee.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin emphasized unity as a key factor in football governance:

"We stand here today together not because we are the same, but because we share the same passion for football. We are not just lovers of the game but also people responsible for the future of football, which is a reflection of society. Behind us is a brilliant EURO 2024, a festival of unity, competition, inclusivity, and celebration. Politics may build walls, but football builds bridges. Wherever we look today, we see divisions. When we hear about them every day, it’s easy to believe in them. But this division is an illusion, a tactic used by those who seek to divide us for political or financial gain. To them, we respond with one united voice. European football must remain a model of unity, and it will. We respect, build, encourage, and connect—that is our mission, and we are committed to it. I want to thank all national associations because you are the backbone of European football."

Foto: Getty Images

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also attended the Congress as a guest:

"It is always an honor to speak at a UEFA Congress, where I worked for many years, and to apply the knowledge gained from successful European football to the global stage. Today, I want to focus on three key topics. The first is unity because football unites people. We must always use football to bring people and nations together, especially in today’s world. The second topic is competitions, such as the FIFA Club World Cup, which will allow players from many countries to become world champions. Finally, I want to touch on women’s football—I wish the host nation Switzerland a successful Women’s EURO, as well as UEFA and all participating teams. We must strive to invest even more in women’s football; it should be both your priority and ours."

The Congress also approved financial reports and the audit report for the 2023/24 financial year, as well as the financial plan for the 2025/26 financial year.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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