Aleksander Ceferin has not made himself popular from an environmental perspective. A report by The Times reveals that the UEFA president and several other officials took numerous private flights during last summer’s European Championship. This comes despite the fact that the European football governing body urged participating countries to consider the impact on the climate.

In a bid to showcase its commitment to environmental sustainability, UEFA introduced a comprehensive plan to minimize the carbon footprint of the European Championship.

The initiative aimed to drastically cut CO2 emissions associated with travel, a major contributor to environmental impact during large-scale sporting events. UEFA's green strategy was heavily promoted before the tournament, highlighting measures to reduce unnecessary flights and encouraging the use of greener transportation options, especially for fans and teams traveling within host nation Germany.

Germany, as the host country, played a pivotal role in supporting these efforts. The German organizing committee collaborated closely with UEFA to implement a robust public transportation network for the duration of the tournament. As part of the plan, public transportation costs were significantly reduced, making it more accessible for fans. The initiative aimed to encourage visitors to opt for trains, buses, and other eco-friendly travel methods instead of relying on cars or domestic flights. Germany’s extensive rail network proved advantageous, allowing fans to move efficiently and sustainably between cities hosting the matches.

The Dutch national team, known as Oranje, was among the teams that fully embraced UEFA's climate-conscious recommendations. The squad initially adhered strictly to the guidelines, opting for travel by train and bus rather than taking flights for domestic trips during the tournament. This decision was well-received by environmental advocates and set an example of responsible behavior by one of the tournament’s prominent teams. However, there was one exception: the team had to take a flight due to unforeseen disruptions with the railway network, a situation that almost caused logistical issues, including the delay of a crucial press conference ahead of their semifinal clash against England.

Despite these efforts, a report by The Times has cast a shadow over UEFA’s green campaign, revealing a glaring contradiction between the organization’s public stance on climate action and the private actions of its top executives. According to the investigative report, while roughly ninety percent of the staff involved in organizing the tournament adhered to the sustainable travel guidelines, a different standard appeared to be set for UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and several other senior officials. The report indicates that Ceferin and his colleagues frequently opted for private jets, incurring an estimated cost of nearly 25 million euros in travel expenses. This revelation has sparked criticism, as it undermines the very message UEFA had been promoting about reducing the tournament’s environmental impact.

One of the most striking examples highlighted in the report was a private jet flight between Düsseldorf and Dortmund, a journey that took just fourteen minutes. To put this into context, traveling the same route by car would have taken less than an hour, making the use of a private jet appear unnecessary and excessive. Environmental activists have pointed to this example as a clear case of hypocrisy, questioning why a private aircraft was deemed necessary for such a short distance, especially given the availability of electric vehicles and efficient public transport options.

In response to the growing backlash, UEFA issued a detailed statement addressing the findings. The organization sought to clarify that Aleksander Ceferin was not on board for the flight between Düsseldorf and Dortmund. According to UEFA, Ceferin used an electric car for his travel between the two cities, a gesture meant to align with the organization’s sustainability goals. UEFA’s statement emphasized that the electric vehicle was employed for several trips between cities throughout the tournament, suggesting that Ceferin made an effort to adhere to the green initiatives promoted by the football body. Nevertheless, the fact remains that a private jet operated under UEFA’s charter was used for this route, which has raised questions about the consistency of the organization’s environmental policies.

Further scrutiny of the private flight logs reveals another concerning detail: three of the sixteen private jet trips were to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia and Ceferin’s hometown. The frequency of these flights has fueled speculation that they may have been personal trips rather than strictly related to official UEFA business. Critics argue that using private jets for such journeys contradicts the broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, especially when alternative, greener travel options were available. UEFA has defended the flights, asserting that they were necessary for logistical reasons. The organization also noted that significant progress had been made overall, with a reported 75 percent reduction in total flight activity compared to the 2016 European Championship.

Despite UEFA’s attempts to downplay the findings, the revelations have sparked a wider debate about the organization’s true commitment to environmental sustainability. The use of private jets by senior executives stands in stark contrast to the guidelines imposed on teams and fans, who were encouraged to minimize their carbon footprints. This discrepancy has led to accusations of double standards, with many questioning whether the organization’s environmental initiatives are merely symbolic rather than part of a genuine effort to address climate change.

Environmental groups have weighed in on the controversy, calling for UEFA to adopt stricter travel policies for its executives. They argue that if UEFA expects teams, staff, and fans to make sacrifices for the sake of sustainability, then the organization’s leadership should lead by example. The reliance on private jets for short-haul flights has been widely criticized, not only for its environmental impact but also for the message it sends at a time when global awareness of climate issues is at an all-time high.

Looking ahead, the controversy surrounding the private jet flights may force UEFA to reevaluate its internal travel policies, particularly as it prepares for future tournaments. The organization faces mounting pressure to align its actions with its public commitments to sustainability, or risk further damaging its credibility on environmental issues. Fans and activists alike are calling for greater transparency and accountability, urging UEFA to provide a more detailed breakdown of travel expenses and to commit to stricter guidelines for future events.

As the fallout from the report continues, it remains to be seen whether UEFA will take meaningful steps to address the criticism and ensure that its leaders adhere to the same standards expected of others. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by large organizations in balancing operational needs with the growing demand for sustainable practices. For UEFA, the lesson may be that actions speak louder than words, and true progress on climate issues requires consistency and commitment at every level of the organization.