Former defender wishes to run for 'FIFA' presidency

Former Swiss international defender Ramon Vega wants to run for the presidency of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) against current president Gianni Infantino, who has faced criticism since last summer following the failure of a plan to open the door to private investment for the sport’s governing body. Vega had previously announced his desire to lead FIFA on several occasions, most recently in 2022, but he has not yet completed the required nomination procedures, which specifically require the approval of at least five of the 211 member associations. Vega, 55, has worked in the finance sector since retiring from football in 2004. He had considered running against Infantino after Joseph Sepp Blatter’s resignation following the 2015 corruption scandal. He attempted to challenge his compatriot in 2022 but did not receive sufficient support to run. Vega said, “The situation has changed significantly since then,” adding, “The associations have become more open to change” than during his previous attempts. In his election program, the former defender, who played for several clubs including English side Tottenham and Scottish side Celtic, outlined his desire to “reunite the football family, restore trust, achieve stability, and modernize FIFA’s management.” Infantino, the Italian-Swiss, 56, has been leading FIFA since 2016 and remains the favorite in the election scheduled for the FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, despite the criticism he has faced since the announcement of his failed project to create a commercial entity open to private investors. Infantino faces a united front from the European confederation (UEFA), the North American confederation (CONCACAF), and the Asian confederation, although no one has yet been nominated to represent this opposition. The deadline for submitting nominations is November 18.