By Dorcas Francis Koji
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out any interest in succeeding Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, but warned that the under-fire world football chief could face a serious leadership challenge if he seeks re-election next year.
Infantino has faced growing criticism following his now-abandoned proposal to attract private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The plan has sparked concerns among several football stakeholders and intensified calls for a change in FIFA leadership.
Ceferin, however, made it clear that he has no intention of entering the race for the FIFA presidency.
Speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast, the 58-year-old Slovenian said he had two main reasons for not pursuing the position.
“One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… it’s time to also enjoy life a bit,” Ceferin said.
He added that remaining outside the race would also strengthen his credibility.
“And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”
Despite ruling himself out, Ceferin believes Infantino’s position at the top of world football is no longer as secure as it once appeared.
The UEFA chief said Infantino could either recognise that he no longer enjoys sufficient support and step aside, or contest the election at the next FIFA Congress in Morocco in March and face an opponent.
“There are two options,” Ceferin said.
“One option is that he realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches.
“And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who.”
Ceferin has been among Infantino’s most outspoken critics since the FIFA president unveiled his plans for private investment in a company that would manage FIFA tournaments.
UEFA has also threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, while some continental and national football bodies have reportedly withdrawn their support for Infantino.
Infantino, who previously served as UEFA secretary general, enjoyed strong backing from European football nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
However, Ceferin revealed that he has not spoken to Infantino since the controversy erupted and suggested that the political landscape around FIFA has changed significantly.
Among the figures being mentioned as potential challengers are CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
Meanwhile, Infantino has continued his engagements with football officials around the world.
The 56-year-old was in the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with regional and local football authorities, despite reports that Montagliani had asked him to stay away from a youth tournament taking place there.
In a video message released by FIFA, Infantino appeared to address the controversy while emphasising the importance of dialogue and engagement.
He said recent events had made it important to listen to different opinions while expressing satisfaction with the support he continues to receive.
With the next FIFA presidential election approaching, the growing divisions within world football could set the stage for one of the most closely watched leadership contests in the organisation’s recent history.
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