European football leaders are stepping up efforts to find a candidate who can challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino in next year’s presidential election.
UEFA has invited representatives of its 55 member associations to a summit in Berlin on Thursday. The meeting is expected to focus on Infantino’s leadership and UEFA’s strategy ahead of the election.
According to Al Jazeera, tensions between UEFA and Infantino have increased in recent months. One major issue is Infantino’s plan to attract private investment into the FIFA World Cup, which collapsed days after it was announced in July.
UEFA is also concerned about the growing power of Infantino’s presidency. The organisation is considering further action, including a possible criminal complaint in Switzerland over alleged financial mismanagement linked to the failed World Cup investment deal.
UEFA has also asked US courts to allow it to obtain evidence related to the matter.
“Somewhere along the way things went too far with FIFA, and we’re looking to put things back where they belong,” UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said last month.
Europe’s 55 associations make up more than a quarter of FIFA’s 211 voting members. The election will take place on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.
Research by The Associated Press indicates that Infantino currently has the support of about 90 football associations. However, that number could change if a strong challenger emerges.
UEFA is not completely united against Infantino. Azerbaijan and Latvia are among the European countries that have already pledged their support for him.
The main task for UEFA is now to agree on at least one candidate before the November 18 nomination deadline.
Several prominent football officials have been linked with a possible challenge. However, many are not expected to contest the election.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has repeatedly denied plans to run. He said last month, however, that there were “many, many” potential candidates.
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani have also been mentioned. Both are currently considered unlikely to challenge Infantino.
Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi was another possible contender because of his relationship with Čeferin. However, he ruled himself out of the race last week.
Infantino’s leadership is expected to dominate discussions at UEFA’s meeting in Berlin. The meeting will also consider proposals for a more transparent FIFA and the possibility of supporting a candidate committed to reforming the organisation.
