Ramon Vega, a former player for Tottenham, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of FIFA in the elections taking place next year. He is the first candidate to publicly confirm he will challenge the current president, Gianni Infantino.
Vega, 55, is a former Swiss international who also played for Celtic and Watford during his career. He left professional football in 2004, after which he turned to work in the financial sector.
He stated that his candidacy is driven by a desire to reunite the global football family, implement real and lasting reforms, modernise FIFA, and restore stability, credibility, and trust. He stated that he is standing because he has been prepared by life to serve football.
He emphasised that football does not belong to presidents, confederations, or administrators, but to players, coaches, referees, fans, clubs, and leagues around the world. He stated that football must always come first and that divisions have long torn the football family apart.
According to him, the current leadership has demoralised the sport, while poor management has undermined the credibility of FIFA and the trust of the entire football family. He highlighted that conflicts within football administration must not endanger players, coaches, referees, and fans.
Infantino stated last month that he is 'fully committed to leading FIFA', despite calls from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation for him to step down.
Vega had considered standing for the presidency of FIFA in 2015, following the suspension of the then-president, Sepp Blatter. Four years later, he announced his intention to challenge Infantino, but failed to secure the necessary support to enter the race. At that time, the candidacy required the support of at least five of the 211 national member associations of FIFA.
