UEFA President Ceferin’s Daughter Purchases Milan Apartment from FIGC Chief Gravina Amid Scrutiny
In a transaction that has raised eyebrows across European football governance, the daughter of UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has purchased a Milan apartment from the family of Gabriele Gravina, the outgoing president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and UEFA vice-president. The deal, valued at €670,000, was finalized in December 2025 and has reignited questions about the financial and professional ties between two of the sport’s most influential figures.
The apartment, located in Via Lambro near Milan’s Porta Venezia district, spans approximately 80 square meters and includes a living room, kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a balcony. The property was originally acquired in 2019 by Gravina’s stepdaughter for €650,000, with a mortgage guaranteed by Gravina and his partner. The recent sale to Neža Čeferin, the 23-year-old daughter of the UEFA president, marks the latest chapter in a story that has drawn attention from both media and judicial authorities in Italy.
While both parties have described the transaction as a routine real estate deal, the timing and context have fueled speculation about potential conflicts of interest. Gravina and Čeferin share a close working relationship, collaborating on high-profile projects such as the organization of the 2032 European Championships, which will be co-hosted by Italy and Turkey. Their alignment on issues like the autonomy of sports governance has further cemented their partnership, making any financial ties between their families a subject of scrutiny.
The Apartment’s History and Judicial Scrutiny
The Milan property first came under investigation in 2020 as part of a broader probe into financial transactions linked to television rights in Italian football. According to reports by Il Fatto Quotidiano, Gravina’s stepdaughter purchased the apartment using funds that included a €350,000 option payment from Marco Bogarelli, a prominent figure in the sports media rights market who passed away in 2021. The payment was allegedly intended for a collection of antique books, but the money was instead directed toward the apartment purchase. While Gravina has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the transaction attracted the attention of Italian prosecutors, who explored whether it was part of a scheme to obscure payments related to consultancy work for Serie C television rights.
Though no charges were filed against Gravina, the episode left lingering questions about the transparency of his financial dealings. The recent sale of the apartment to Čeferin’s daughter has revived these concerns, particularly given the lack of public documentation about the property’s valuation or the rationale behind the sale price. Independent real estate experts in Milan have noted that while €670,000 is not an unreasonable price for the area, the absence of a competitive bidding process or independent appraisal has fueled skepticism.
Čeferin’s Response and the Question of Conflict of Interest
Aleksander Čeferin has firmly defended the transaction, calling it a “private real estate deal between adults” with no connection to his role at UEFA. In a statement to Il Fatto Quotidiano, he emphasized that the purchase was made at market value and that there were no hidden financial ties between the families. “The fact that the parties know each other does not make the transaction inappropriate,” Čeferin said. “Neža moved to Milan for her studies and work, and this was a straightforward property purchase.”
However, critics argue that the deal underscores the broader issue of transparency in football governance, where personal relationships and financial entanglements can blur the lines between professional and private interests. Gravina, who resigned from his position at FIGC in early 2026 amid ongoing investigations into the federation’s financial management, has faced repeated calls for greater accountability. His dual role as FIGC president and UEFA vice-president has also drawn attention to the potential for conflicts of interest, particularly as UEFA considers potential intervention in the governance of Italian football.
Neža Čeferin, a law student at the University of Milan, has not publicly commented on the purchase. According to sources close to the family, she has been living in the city since 2024, though it remains unclear whether she has taken up residence in the Via Lambro apartment. Her father’s office declined to provide further details about her professional or academic activities, citing privacy concerns.
Why This Story Matters: Governance and Public Trust
The transaction between the Čeferin and Gravina families arrives at a sensitive moment for European football, which has been grappling with a series of scandals related to financial mismanagement, corruption, and the growing influence of private interests in the sport. UEFA, under Čeferin’s leadership, has positioned itself as a reformist force, pushing for greater financial fair play and transparency. However, incidents like this one risk undermining that narrative, particularly when they involve figures at the highest levels of the organization.
For Gravina, the sale adds another layer of complexity to his already contentious tenure at FIGC. His resignation in early 2026 followed months of criticism over the federation’s handling of financial irregularities, including allegations of mismanagement of public funds and opaque dealings with broadcasters. While Gravina has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the apartment transaction—both its original purchase and its subsequent sale—has become a symbol of the broader governance challenges facing Italian football.
The broader implications of this story extend beyond the individuals involved. Football governance is increasingly under the microscope, with fans, regulators, and sponsors demanding greater accountability. The European Union has also taken a more active role in scrutinizing the sport’s financial practices, particularly in light of the controversial European Super League proposal and the growing commercialization of football. Even the appearance of impropriety can have significant consequences for the credibility of the institutions involved.
What Happens Next?
As of April 2026, there is no indication that UEFA or Italian authorities are investigating the apartment sale. However, the story is likely to remain a topic of discussion in football circles, particularly as Gravina’s successor at FIGC takes office and UEFA continues to navigate its role in overseeing the federation’s governance reforms.
For now, the transaction stands as a reminder of the complex web of relationships that define football’s power structures. While Čeferin and Gravina have dismissed concerns about the deal, the questions it raises about transparency, conflict of interest, and the intersection of personal and professional ties in football governance are unlikely to fade quickly.
Readers interested in following developments can monitor official statements from UEFA and the Italian Football Federation for updates on governance reforms and financial oversight in European football.
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