Ceferin Rules Out FIFA Presidency Bid, Tells Infantino To Quit Or Face Challenge

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out replacing Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, but believes the under-fire football chief will have to step down or face a challenger at the next FIFA election.

Ceferin, speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast on Monday, said he had no plans to leave UEFA for the top job in world football.

“I’m not interested because of two reasons,” the 58-year-old Slovenian said.

“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.

“And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”

Infantino has come under growing pressure over his now-abandoned proposal to bring private investment into a company that would run FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.

The plan triggered a major backlash, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions. Several continental and national federations have also withdrawn their support for the 56-year-old.

Ceferin has been among Infantino’s fiercest critics and now believes his once secure position is under serious threat.

The FIFA Congress will hold in Morocco in March, and Ceferin said Infantino could face an opponent if he decides to seek re-election.

“There are two options,” he 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.”

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa have emerged as possible challengers.

Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, enjoyed strong support from European football when he replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

However, Ceferin said the situation has changed dramatically and revealed that he has not spoken with his former UEFA colleague since the row began.

Infantino traveled to the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional football officials, despite reports that Montagliani had asked him to stay away from a youth tournament in the country.

In video remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, August 23, Infantino appeared to address the controversy surrounding his leadership.

“It’s important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions,” he said.

“A lot has been happening the last few weeks, and it’s important that you hear, you listen, and you’re able to also express what your feelings are.

“So I think overall positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here.”