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Tashima Challenges Infantino for FIFA Presidency
Confirmed
In Short: Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced his candidacy against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced on Thursday that he will stand against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the upcoming presidential election.
Infantino, who is seeking a fourth term, received strong backing from the Asian Football Confederation last month. Tashima, 68, is the second candidate to challenge Infantino, following former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega.
Tashima stated, 'Drawing on the experience I have gained over the years, I will take on this challenge with firm resolve so that I can contribute to the further development of world football.'
Infantino dismissed calls for his resignation, asserting that he has the backing of the 'vast, vast majority' of member associations. He said, 'I will take on this challenge with strong determination, making use of the experience I have cultivated so far, and contributing to the further development of world football.'
Tashima's candidacy is backed by the Japan Football Association, which believes it will be an opportunity to showcase the ideals and attitudes that Japanese football has cherished.
The Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which faced significant backlash, was abandoned in July. This proposal had severely impacted Infantino's support, but he has since regained some backing.
Tashima will require the backing of five FIFA member associations to run. He is expected to secure nominations easily, with support from UEFA, which has been leading the opposition to Infantino.
Infantino has the backing of several leading countries in the AFC, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and of Africa and South America, making him a strong favorite to secure the 106 votes needed for re-election.
Tashima emphasized, 'It’s not about winning or losing but about conveying to the world the honest, sound and upright attitude that Japanese football has built. What FIFA needs now are these values that we have protected.'
What this adds
Tashima's emergence as a challenger with the backing of the Japan Football Association will test the strength of Infantino's supporter base.
Tashima could potentially split the AFC vote and is certain to pick up votes from Europe and Concacaf, although other candidates could emerge.
What's confirmed
- Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, said on Thursday he will stand against Gianni Infantino in FIFA’s presidential election in March.
- But Infantino is now in a strong position to secure re-election after the Asian Football Confederation endorsed the 56-year-old last month.
- Infantino earlier said he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of member associations, and dismissed calls for him to go.
- Tashima is the second person to declare he will challenge Infantino, following former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega.
- Incumbent Infantino, who is seeking to be re-elected to a fourth and final term as FIFA president, had faced stinging criticism and calls to quit after his aborted World Cup selloff plan.
- The deadline for candidates to stand in the election is 18 November.
- Infantino told BBC Sport last month that he felt he had the backing of the "vast, vast majority" of world football as he bids for a fourth term in charge of Fifa.
- Infantino has been under intense scrutiny since it emerged he had been planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
- However, Tashima's emergence as a challenger - with the backing of the Japan Football Association (JFA) - will now test the strength of Infantino's supporter base.
- As with all candidates, Tashima will require the backing of five Fifa member associations.
What's still developing
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- Whilst support for Infantino was severely impacted by the FFE scandal, he has shored up support in recent months.
- “I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the Japan Football Association,” Tashima told the Japanese newspaper Sports Nippon.
- The widely respected Tashima will have no problem in securing the nominations and is understood to have acted with the blessing of Uefa, which has led the opposition to Infantino after his failed attempt to sell off a 20% stake in Fifa’s commercial rights this summer.
- Uefa has spent months attempting to find a candidate to stand against Infantino, but may have concluded that a non-European challenger will fare better owing to widespread resentment about its perceived dominance of the sport.
- Tashima could split the AFC vote and is certain to pick up votes from Europe and Concacaf, although other candidates could emerge.