Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.
As UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin doesn't always work at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
In fact, on a personal level, he doesn't like it there.
Unless there's a meeting or official business, he usually avoids appearing at UEFA's headquarters.
He lives in his home country, has his own office and team in Ljubljana, and his family also resides there. Most of the time, he works from home.
In today's internet age, even as UEFA president, remote work is possible.
But just last night, he received a private call from Gao Shen.
As UEFA president, Čeferin understands better than anyone the influence Gao Shen currently wields in European football and the initiatives he's advancing, which are affecting more and more clubs.
This could become problematic, as Gao Shen is now collaborating with an increasing number of top clubs.
However, no red flags have been raised yet, and Gao Shen has consistently emphasized that he is merely a service provider.
It's like most of the world's computers using Intel or AMD, and most operating systems being Microsoft.
Nothing seems wrong with that, right?
Čeferin's personal relationship with Gao Shen is quite good, perhaps due to his Slovenian background and the socialist education he received growing up.
This made it easier for him to find common ground with Gao Shen in conversation.
Gao Shen had never called his private number before, so this was an exception.
Especially considering it was during the holidays.
Overnight, Gao Shen flew from Paris, France, to Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The next morning, the two had breakfast together at their usual restaurant.
Čeferin had his driver pick up Gao Shen from the airport.
Gao Shen then played a phone recording for him.
The UEFA president immediately understood the seriousness of the matter.
He wasn't particularly shocked by the recording's contents. Similar incidents happen almost every day, maybe even simultaneously in several places. What's so unusual about that?
As UEFA president, Čeferin had heard countless complaints like this, both formally and informally.
But this time, Gao Shen's approach was clearly different.
Given Gao Shen's status and reputation, if it were just a phone recording, why would he personally fly to Slovenia?
"This is war, Aleksander," Gao Shen said calmly as he looked at the UEFA president, uttering the harshest words.
Čeferin had just raised his coffee cup to take a sip, but after hearing Gao Shen's words, he put it back down.
"It's not that serious, Gao. There are too many incidents like this."
"I know," Gao Shen nodded, "but this one was clearly aimed at me."
Čeferin was a little surprised. He hadn't considered that possibility, assuming it was just another typical amateur move. After all, Ratcliffe's team was managing a Premier League club for the first time, and not just any club—Manchester United.
But now that Gao Shen brought it up, it genuinely startled him.
Thinking it over, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.
In the call, the person kept hinting that the agent should incite Vardy to "revolt," promising that both the player and the agent would gain more—much more—than what they could get at Leeds United.
"Did you offend Ratcliffe?" Čeferin asked, probing as he took a sip of coffee.
He needed to know whether this was personal.
"I guess so. But I didn't really take it seriously," Gao Shen replied casually.
Čeferin understood. Ratcliffe must have been humiliated.
The UEFA president recalled recent reports in The Times and other British media outlets. Ratcliffe had made an offer to Leeds United, and Gao Shen had told him, very bluntly, to get lost.
"That recent transfer bid?"
"Yeah. Our Lord probably felt insulted."
Čeferin laughed. The British always seem to carry a strange sense of superiority and never consider whether their behavior might be insulting to others.
Ratcliffe's offer might not have been insulting in words, but it certainly was in substance.
If you want to sign a player from another team, why act like that team should be grateful you're even asking?
Who held the initiative here? Did Ratcliffe not get it?
Does he think money can buy anything?
"I'm saying, this is war. UEFA must take this seriously," Gao Shen stressed again.
This time, Čeferin realized Gao Shen wasn't just angry, he was drawing a line.
"Why do you say that?"
"It might be hard to say for other leagues, but the Premier League is already heading in a dangerous direction. You know how Ratcliffe beat out the Qatari consortium to acquire Manchester United. He spent a long time building momentum."
Čeferin nodded. UEFA had been monitoring it closely.
The Qatari consortium needed no introduction, and Ratcliffe's path to acquiring the club had been rocky.
As UEFA, they would not intervene as long as nothing illegal occurred.
But if, as Gao Shen said, such a trend was emerging in the Premier League, it would be damaging to the entire league.
Everyone knew that foreign investment now dominated the Premier League. If local British tycoons began behaving like Ratcliffe, where would it all lead?
Čeferin was well aware of public opinion in Europe and the broader Western world.
The greatest strength of professional football, unlike many other industries, is that it stays out of politics.
That principle is critical.
"He's had some success and probably thinks that even if he crosses a line, I'll tolerate it. But to be honest, if I don't strike back hard this time, he'll just get worse."
As Gao Shen spoke, his tone grew colder. His expression became sharp, with a fierce edge that was completely unlike his usual easygoing demeanor.
Even Čeferin could sense the intensity radiating from him.
"People like him—capital sharks—are endlessly greedy and never satisfied. That's why I don't like dealing with them. And I think UEFA needs to seriously consider whether to keep ignoring his repeated violations."
The rules aren't just Leeds United's or Gao Shen's to uphold.
They are UEFA's.
Maintained by UEFA, shaped by all clubs.
Some unspoken rules are usually overlooked, and that's fine.
But Ratcliffe had clearly crossed the line.
Just like Chelsea did with Ashley Cole all those years ago.
"It's definitely a problem," Čeferin agreed with Gao Shen's assessment.
He often wondered whether Ratcliffe's people had any common sense.
Back when Chelsea poached Ashley Cole, they were over the line, but at least they had some sense of subtlety. They didn't put anything in writing or over the phone, they arranged a private meeting.
They were only exposed because of tabloid reporters.
But Ratcliffe's team just picked up the phone and laid everything out plainly.
No subtlety. No attempt at discretion.
Just pure arrogance.
"What do you intend to do?" Čeferin asked.
Gao Shen smiled faintly.
The UEFA president asking that question already implied he was onboard.
Of course, UEFA isn't run by Čeferin alone. Other departments and officials are involved. But Gao Shen was well connected.
He also knew people at the FA and Premier League.
Sometimes, Gao Shen really felt he was just too polite. That's why Ratcliffe got the wrong idea and thought Gao Shen was easy to deal with.
Does the tiger have to roar for you to know it's a tiger?
"I won't use the phone recording as evidence, but I've already sent people to gather information. Soon, evidence will be submitted to UEFA, the FA, and the Premier League. I hope you'll all treat it seriously and fairly."
In this matter, Gao Shen already had Ratcliffe cornered.
As long as UEFA and the FA didn't turn a blind eye, Ratcliffe and Manchester United would be in deep trouble.
His so-called three major reforms hadn't even started before they got shut down.
And he himself might end up in hot water.
That would be a sight to see.
As for why Gao Shen wouldn't hand over the phone recording, it was because he respected David Ornstein and Vardy. They had shown loyalty, and Gao Shen didn't want to jeopardize Ornstein's future.
As for Vardy, while Leeds United needed to maintain their wage structure and push Haaland to the forefront, Gao Shen still wanted to protect him.
Even if Vardy aged and couldn't perform anymore, Gao Shen would make sure he retired at Leeds United and take care of his post-retirement career. The same goes for David Ornstein, who would have the club's full support.
"Understood. I'll coordinate this and make sure you get a satisfactory response," Čeferin promised.
The Premier League is powerful, but UEFA also benefits from its strength.
If Ratcliffe and others caused foreign investors to pull out of the Premier League, that wasn't something UEFA wanted to see.
...
Having reached a consensus, the two continued chatting over breakfast.
Gao Shen had to return to Paris later that day for another meeting.
Čeferin, however, was disappointed. He had planned to take Gao Shen on a tour of his home city.
As for official matters, the two main current issues were the upcoming Champions League reforms and the five-substitution rule for the new season. Gao Shen fully supported the latter but was more cautious about Champions League reform and expansion.
Čeferin wanted to relaunch UEFA's three major cup competitions.
Back then, UEFA had the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup. After the Champions League reforms, the Cup Winners' Cup was abolished, and the UEFA Cup declined, eventually transforming into today's Europa League.
Čeferin believed that reviving the three competitions could introduce a promotion and relegation structure, allowing more clubs to participate in Europe and growing the football market further.
The concept was solid, but whether it could be implemented was another question.
Gao Shen knew this proposal had been debated for a long time without resolution. He said he would consider it carefully after returning, but didn't give a definitive answer.
On the Manchester United issue, however, Čeferin assured him that UEFA would handle it fairly and strictly.
(To be continued.)