Ex-Tottenham Player Ramon Vega to Challenge FIFA President Infantino

Former Tottenham and Switzerland footballer Ramon Vega announced on Wednesday his intention to run for the FIFA presidency, challenging incumbent Gianni Infantino. Vega, 55, previously expressed support for Emily Damari, an Israeli hostage released by Hamas, wishing her a safe return home. Damari, whose mother is English and who is a Tottenham fan, received gestures of support from the club's fans during her captivity. Vega stated his candidacy aims to reunite the global football family, implement genuine long-term reform, modernize FIFA for the 21st century, and restore stability, credibility, and trust. He criticized the current FIFA leadership, asserting that football belongs to its participants, not to presidents, confederations, or administrators. Vega emphasized that football is bigger than any role, person, or institution, belonging to players, coaches, referees, fans, volunteers, clubs, leagues, associations, and communities. He also highlighted that football belongs to every child discovering the game, every professional carrying a nation's hopes, and billions of fans whose passion makes it the world's game. Vega noted that divisions have harmed the football family, and weak governance has damaged FIFA's credibility and eroded trust. He stressed the need to stop internal conflicts that harm players, coaches, referees, and fans. This is not Vega's first attempt to enter the FIFA presidential race; he considered running in 2015 after Sepp Blatter's suspension and announced his intention to challenge Infantino in 2019, but failed to secure the required support from five member associations. Vega played 23 times for Switzerland and scored two goals, with club stints at Grasshoppers, Cagliari, Tottenham, Celtic, Watford, and Cartagines. He played for Tottenham from January 1997 to 2001, winning the League Cup in the 1998/99 season.