UEFA Working to Find Credible Challenger to FIFA President Infantino

UEFA says it is continuing efforts to identify a credible candidate capable of challenging FIFA President Gianni Infantino in next year’s FIFA presidential election.

UEFA Vice-President Laura McAllister said the organisation remains committed to pushing for changes in the way world football is governed and has been working behind the scenes to build support for a possible challenger.

Speaking to Reuters at the World Football Summit in Madrid, McAllister said the eventual candidate does not necessarily have to come from Europe.

Instead, she said UEFA wants someone who can bring together football’s different confederations and present a clear programme for reform.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March next year, with Infantino having already indicated that he intends to seek another term.

UEFA wants more than a symbolic challenge

McAllister said UEFA's position is not simply about finding someone to oppose Infantino.

According to her, the bigger objective is to secure meaningful and lasting changes to FIFA's governance structure.

She said the candidate eventually backed by those calling for change should have a realistic chance of winning while also presenting a strong reform agenda.

Among the areas UEFA wants addressed are greater accountability and transparency, stronger recognition of potential conflicts of interest, better protection for whistleblowers and more diversity in football leadership.

McAllister stressed that the campaign should not be viewed as an attempt by Europe to install one of its own at the head of FIFA.

She said UEFA would be prepared to support a candidate from another confederation if that person could unite the wider football community around a credible reform programme.

Infantino faces renewed opposition

Infantino, 56, has confirmed his intention to contest the next FIFA presidential election.

His position has come under increased scrutiny following opposition to a proposal involving the sale of a stake of up to 20 per cent in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The proposal faced resistance from several football bodies, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF among those calling for changes at FIFA's leadership level.

Some European football associations have also withdrawn their support for Infantino's re-election, with Greece recently becoming one of the latest to do so.

McAllister said the concerns go beyond Infantino personally and are connected to broader questions about how FIFA is governed.

UEFA says its members remain united

Despite suggestions that opposition to Infantino may have lost momentum, McAllister said UEFA's member associations remain committed to the push for change.

She explained that UEFA has been pursuing the issue on several fronts while continuing to work on the details of a possible reform platform.

The UEFA vice-president said the organisation wants any future leadership change to produce lasting reforms rather than simply replacing one individual with another.

She also indicated that European football would continue to work with FIFA regardless of the outcome of the election, but said the governing body should learn from the concerns that have emerged during the current period.

Election preparations still at an early stage

With nominations for the FIFA presidency yet to open, McAllister acknowledged that the process is still at an early stage.

For UEFA and its allies, the immediate task is to identify a candidate who can attract support beyond Europe and unite the various confederations behind a common reform agenda.

The FIFA presidential election in March will ultimately determine whether Infantino secures another term or faces a serious challenge from an alternative candidate.

For now, UEFA says its focus remains on building support for changes it believes are necessary to strengthen accountability, transparency and the overall governance of global football.

Source: Reuters / Ghanaian Times.