Scottish FA President Rod Petrie has been named among the final candidates to be voted on to UEFA’s Executive Committee ahead of the election at the 47th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday, 5 April.

Rod is one of 11 candidates from across Europe bidding to secure one of the seven ExCo places available.

In the midst of Scottish football’s 150th anniversary celebrations – including the Heritage International Match against England in September – the President believes the national game’s unique and rich history, coupled with the association’s strategic commitment to ensure communities across the country benefit from the Power of Football, will prove compelling to fellow national associations.

“Scottish football’s history is intertwined with some of the greatest games ever played and greatest goals ever scored in European football – from Real Madrid’s legendary 7-3 win against Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden, before a still record crowd of 127,000 in 1960; to Zinedine Zidane’s iconic goal against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

“More recently, we have successfully co-hosted UEFA EURO 2020 and are actively engaged in a bidding process along with colleagues across the UK and Ireland to host UEFA EURO 2028.

“Off the field, the Scottish FA has recently helped form world football’s first-ever Para Football National Association and created an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board to ensure that we have world-leading policies and procedures in this vital area. We also set up the Scottish FA Youth Congress to ensure the future of our game is shaped by the next generation.

“With a population of more than five million people, Scotland is a middle-ranking country in terms of size, yet has again recorded the biggest match attendances per head of population in Europe. Our history and passion are well-known: we are big enough to mix it with the larger countries, yet small enough to relate to the challenges faced by other similar-sized nations.

“I want UEFA to continue to lead European football with strong and transparent governance; to grow our finances through balanced competitions and to ensure a sustainable, diverse and inclusive game for all – not just for today, but for future generations.

“I believe in the power of football – ensuring our game can maximise its reach across all communities in society. Football’s social, health and economic benefits are unrivalled, as UEFA’s Social Return on Investment research has shown in Scotland and elsewhere.

“I believe I can make a significant contribution on behalf of all of UEFA’s National Associations while also representing Scotland and Scottish football with pride and integrity.”

Candidates for seven member positions on the UEFA Executive Committee [four-year-term]:

  • Rod Petrie (Scotland)
  • Jesper Møller Christensen* (Denmark)
  • Philippe Diallo (France)
  • Armand Duka* (Albania)
  • Petr Fousek (Czechia)
  • Lise Klaveness (Norway)
  • Levan Kobiashvili (Georgia)
  • Andrii Pavelko* (Ukraine)
  • Hugo Quaderer (Liechtenstein)
  • Luis Rubiales* (Spain)
  • Björn Vassallo (Malta)

* Denotes standing for re-election