Ex-Tottenham Player Ramon Vega to Challenge Infantino for FIFA Presidency
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Former Tottenham and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega announced he will run for FIFA president next year, challenging incumbent Gianni Infantino. Vega, who previously considered a run in 2019, aims to reform the organization and restore trust. His announcement follows criticism of Infantino's leadership, though Infantino has stated his commitment to the role. Vega also publicly welcomed a hostage survivor in January 2025.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Tottenham and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega is running for FIFA president.
- Vega will challenge the incumbent president, Gianni Infantino, in next year's elections.
- He aims to reform FIFA and restore stability and credibility to world football.
- Vega previously attempted to run in 2019 but lacked sufficient support.
- Infantino faces criticism but has affirmed his commitment to his role.
- Vega welcomed hostage survivor Emily Damari in January 2025.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has announced his candidacy for the upcoming FIFA presidential elections. The 55-year-old is the first official contender to declare his intention to run against incumbent president Gianni Infantino. Vega, who played for the Swiss national team 23 times between 1993 and 2001 and also had spells at Celtic and Watford, transitioned into finance after retiring from football in 2004.
Vega previously expressed interest in the FIFA presidency in 2015 following the suspension of former president Sepp Blatter. He also announced a bid in 2019 to challenge Infantino but failed to secure the required support from five FIFA member associations. His current announcement comes amid growing criticism of Infantino's leadership.
In January 2025, Vega publicly welcomed hostage survivor Emily Damari, along with fellow survivors Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbacher, upon their release. He tweeted, "At least one good piece of news today for the Spurs family! Welcome home, Emily," after Tottenham's 3-2 loss to Everton.
Vega stated his motivation for running is to "reunite the global football family, bring real and long-term reform, adapt FIFA to the 21st century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust our game urgently needs." Infantino, meanwhile, has recently affirmed his "full commitment to leading FIFA" after calls from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Confederation to resign due to a failed plan to sell World Cup rights to private investors.
Currently, Vega is the only declared candidate challenging Infantino, who has indicated his intention to remain in office.
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