Ramon Vega Announces Bid to Challenge Infantino for FIFA Presidency

Ramon Vega has declared his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, becoming the first prospective candidate to state publicly that he plans to contest next March’s election in Rabat, Morocco.

The 55-year-old former Switzerland international, who played for Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic, Watford, Cagliari and Grasshoppers, is seeking to end Infantino’s tenure as world football’s leading administrator. Infantino is expected to pursue a fourth term when FIFA’s 211 member associations vote on March 18.

Vega calls for reform at FIFA

Vega won 23 caps for Switzerland and has worked mainly in finance since ending his playing career in 2004. He previously considered FIFA presidential campaigns in 2015, 2019 and 2022, but did not secure nominations from the minimum five national associations needed to enter the election.

In his statement on Wednesday, Vega said his experiences had equipped him to serve football and presented his candidacy as a call for major change at FIFA.

• “My life has prepared me to serve the game,” Vega said, adding that he approached the contest with humility, resolve and responsibility.
• He argued that the sport belongs neither to presidents nor confederations, and should not be controlled by any individual or institution.
• Vega described football as being in a critical condition and said FIFA required a different course and deep reform without further delay.

To qualify, candidates must show they have held an active role in football for two of the previous five years. They must also pass an eligibility review conducted by a FIFA committee, as well as receive the required support from at least five member federations before the November 18 deadline.

UEFA meeting follows breakdown in trust

UEFA’s 55 member associations were due to gather in Berlin on Thursday for a summit already scheduled before the latest dispute surrounding Infantino. The meeting comes as European officials consider how to find a credible challenger, though no individual is expected to be agreed at the gathering.

Relations between UEFA and the FIFA president deteriorated sharply after a proposed private-investment arrangement involving World Cup commercial rights was revealed in July. Three confederations opposed the plan, including UEFA, and it was abandoned within days. UEFA has said it no longer has confidence in Infantino.

The European body’s distrust has been building for longer, with concern focused on what it sees as an increasingly executive-led FIFA presidency under its former general secretary.

• UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin joined Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani in August to accuse Infantino of deception and a breach of trust over the proposed World Cup deal.
• Despite their criticism, neither Ceferin, Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman nor Canada’s Montagliani currently appears likely to enter the race.
• There has also been significant dissatisfaction over FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun matter at the World Cup.
• Reports this week said FIFA’s administration went against internal legal advice in allowing DR Congo to use goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi in an intercontinental play-off despite an eligibility issue. FIFA has not commented on that allegation.

Infantino retains broad support ahead of vote

Europe holds more than one quarter of the available votes through its 55 associations, but UEFA is not united behind a single position. Azerbaijan, where one of Infantino’s close aides is based, and Latvia have both indicated support for the incumbent.

Infantino met football and government representatives in Prague on Wednesday as he continued to build support. He is also attending the Confederation of African Football’s strategy conference in Cape Verde this week alongside FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger.

Early estimates place Infantino at roughly 90 committed votes, although those pledges were made before any opponent had formally emerged. He is understood to have strong backing across South America and support from several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Vega’s announcement gives the election its first declared challenger, but his ability to secure the necessary nominations before November 18 will determine whether he reaches the ballot in Morocco.