Kozo Tashima has announced a challenge to Gianni Infantino in March’s FIFA presidential election. The Japan Football Association’s honorary president says his national association supports him. Candidates need nominations from five member associations before the 18 November deadline. Tashima’s declaration follows Ramon Vega’s, bringing another challenger into the contest to lead world football’s governing body.
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Tashima declares his challenge to Infantino
Kozo Tashima intends to contest the presidency of world football’s governing body, FIFA, against Gianni Infantino in March. The Japan Football Association’s honorary president says he has his national association’s full support. The former Japan international described the candidacy as a chance to convey the honesty and upright conduct he associates with Japanese football. He is the second declared challenger, following former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega.[1], [2]
Five nominations are needed for the ballot
FIFA has 211 member associations, and a presidential candidate needs nominations from five to appear on the ballot. Declarations must be made by 18 November. The election is scheduled for Rabat, Morocco. Vega has also announced his intention to run, though whether he had obtained the necessary backing was unclear. The vote total needed for Infantino to win re-election is 106.[1]
Confederations take different positions
Tashima met officials from Europe’s football confederation, UEFA, at last month’s Asian Football Confederation congress in Tokyo. The Guardian reported that he was acting with UEFA’s blessing. Asian confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa publicly supported Infantino at that congress. UEFA and Concacaf, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, had previously looked for an alternative to the incumbent.[1]
