Malta FA president Norman Darmanin Demajo said the election of Aleksander Ceferin as the new head of UEFA sends out a strong message that the members of the European body are willing to start a new chapter after a turbulent period caused by the enforced resignation of Michel Platini.

Ceferin, the president of the Slovenian FA, gathered 42 votes against the 13 gained by Dutchman Michael van Praag.

“The only question mark we had on Ceferin was that he came from a relatively small association and had hitherto kept a low profile,” Darmanin Demajo told Times of Malta from Athens.

“Suddenly, he had to fill the prestigious seat previously occupied by Platini. The outcome of the vote came as no surprise as Ceferin received overwhelming support from the north of Europe and the east.

“He is seen as the ideal person to take UEFA forward. There is a new wave at UEFA whereby the delegates feel that, now that we have closed a chapter with Platini, we don’t want a continuation of the old but something new.”

Darmanin Demajo said he had met Ceferin on two occasions prior to yesterday’s election.

“The fact that Ceferin comes from a small to medium-sized federation should help because he understands the needs of small associations like ours... he listens,” the MFA president said.

“I hope that he creates a balance between the big and the small.

“The rich have a big say because they generate the money but small associations like us are also part of the equation. Malta also gives its contribution, even if we are in pot six.”