Russia’s Football Federation (RFU) on Wednesday said it would support Slovenian candidate Aleksander Ceferin in September’s election of the president of Europe’s ruling body UEFA.
RFU President and Russian Sports Minister Vitali Mutko said the Federation met with officials from south-east European countries and there was a general consensus to support Ceferin.
“Almost all participating countries, including Russia, endorsed the candidacy of Ceferin, the Football Association of Slovenia president,’’ Mutko said.
Ceferin and Michael van Praag, who presided over the Dutch federation, are currently the two candidates to take the place of Michel Platini.
Platini was banned for four years in connection with a “disloyal payment’’ from the world governing body FIFA.
Candidates have until July 20 to submit their application, while the 55 UEFA members will elect the new president on Sept. 14 in Athens, Greece.