Bjorn Vassallo misses out on a place on UEFA Executive Committee

Malta FA president Bjorn Vassallo failed in his bid to win a place on the UEFA Executive Committee following elections held at the UEFA Congress in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday.

Vassallo was one of 11 candidates who were bidding for one of the seven seats available on the prestigious body at the European governing body of football.

The Malta FA president was up against some of Europe’s most influential figures in the governing body’s body such as Jesper Moeller Christensen, of Denmark, Spain’s Luis Rubiales and France’s Philippe Diallo among others.

Vassallo just missed out on a place on the UEFA EXCO when he totalled 25 votes to finish joint-eight alongside Liechtenstein’s Hugo Quaderer.

“Every journey towards an election is a learning experience”, said Vassallo following the congress.

“This one gave me the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with peers from all UEFA Associations. I congratulate fellow candidates who have been elected for the forthcoming mandate of the UEFA Executive Committee.

“I come back from Lisbon as resolute as ever to continue our work implementing our strategy and to ensure the best representation possible for Maltese football in international fora as I have always done.”

Armand Duca, of Albania, secured the highest number of votes with 45 to finish just ahead of Moeller Christensen who totaled 42.

Petr Fousek, of the Czech Republic, placed third, level with Levan Kobiashvili, of Georgia and Luis Rubiales, of Spain, who all garnered 40 votes.

Philippe Diallo, of France, attracted 37 votes with Andrii Pavelko, of Ukraine taking the final spot with 31 votes.

The last time Malta FA official who was on the UEFA EXCO was former governing body chief Dr Joseph Mifsud who spent between 1994 and 2011 on various roles on this committee.