Frank Paauw elected on UEFA Executive Committee

KNVB president Frank Paauw flanked by two of his predecessors on the UEFA Executive Committee: Just Spee and Michael van Praag. - Foto: KNVB Media

Frank Paauw was elected a member of the UEFA Executive Committee (EXCO) by a large majority at the 49th UEFA Congress in Belgrade on April 3, 2025. With this appointment, the association president follows in the footsteps of his predecessors Just Spee, Michael van Praag, Jeu Sprengers, Lo Brunt, Jos Coler and Jo van Marle. This makes him the seventh representative of the Netherlands in this important governing body.

“It is an honor to be chosen by my European colleagues for this role in the UEFA Board with this mandate", Frank Paauw says in an initial reaction after the appointment. "I am aware of the importance for the Netherlands and I am grateful to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors.”

Strategic direction

The UEFA Executive Committee is responsible for the strategic direction of UEFA and guiding the organization's policies. The committee plays a crucial role in taking key decisions on regulation, league design, funding, amateur football and the broad development of European football.

“This appointment is a recognition of the strength of Dutch football in the broadest sense of the word,” Frank Paauw continued. “We see it as our responsibility to make football future-proof and keep it attractive to new generations. It is good that the KNVB is a stable factor in this UEFA context. We remain committed as a connector to make European football stronger as a whole by sharing our core values and expertise.”

Frank Paauw's appointment underscores the KNVB's ongoing commitment to continuing to profile the Netherlands internationally as a leading football country.