UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has confirmed he will not run against Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, but warned Infantino faces a potential challenger if he seeks re-election.
Key facts
- •Aleksander Ceferin confirmed he will not run for the FIFA presidency.
- •FIFA has set a November 18 deadline for candidates to nominate for the March election.
- •UEFA previously threatened to boycott FIFA competitions over a plan to sell World Cup stakes.
- •Gianni Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016.
- •Ceferin stated that he believes Infantino will face a challenger if he proceeds with a re-election bid.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated he will not challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his position. However, Ceferin warned that if Infantino runs for re-election in March, he will likely face a rival candidate. The comments follow significant opposition from UEFA and other confederations toward a FIFA proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.
Opposition to World Cup Stake Sale
Ceferin criticized the now-abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes, labeling it worse than the proposed Super League. He stated that the plan is dead and emphasized that stopping the sale of the sport was his primary objective. UEFA had previously threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in response to the proposal.
Future of FIFA Leadership
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and faces a nomination deadline of November 18 for potential challengers. Ceferin, 58, ruled out his own candidacy, citing his commitment to UEFA and a desire to enjoy life. He suggested that Infantino should consider stepping down due to a perceived lack of support from the broader football community, including fans, players, and coaches.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Sport.
