Former Manchester United chief David Gill expected to retain UEFA role

Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill is expected to be re-elected for a second term on UEFA's executive committee.

The 59-year-old is among 12 candidates for the eight places up for grabs - half of the committee's 16 seats - but his continuing presence in a leading UEFA role is virtually guaranteed because of his vice-president status at FIFA.

FA chairman Greg Clarke has spent the last few months campaigning for Gill and believes he has widespread support.

Clarke said: "I would never disrespect democracy but when I've visited our partners around Europe, I've had very positive feedback about David Gill's experience and what he brings to UEFA and FIFA.

"But it's an election and there are more candidates than there are seats so we've got to work hard and I've been lobbying hard for David in my visits around Europe."

We've got to work hard and I've been lobbying hard for David in my visits around Europe.

The executive committee election is top of the agenda at the 41st ordinary UEFA congress, which will be chaired for the first time by Aleksander Ceferin, the Slovenian lawyer surprisingly elected to replace Michel Platini as president last year.

Football Association of Wales vice-president Kieran O'Connor is also standing for election but is not expected to be successful.

It is understood Gill will be given an 'ex officio' role at the FA, meaning he will effectively have observer status, in order to meet the new governance rules at FIFA and UEFA.

"I think Aleksander Ceferin is doing the right things," Clarke added.

"He's a new broom and he stands for transparency and ethics, and he's brought footballers to the centre of UEFA, like (president) Gianni Infantino has at FIFA."