UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin says he is “not interested” in replacing Gianni Infantino but warned the under-fire FIFA president must quit or face a leadership challenge.
Infantino has come under increasing pressure to step down as head of world football’s governing body over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
UEFA, which oversees European football, has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions with several continental and national federations also withdrawing their support for Infantino.
But Ceferin ruled himself out of a bid to take Infantino’s place, the 58-year-old Slovenian on Monday telling The Rest is Politics podcast: “I’m not interested because of two reasons.
“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.”
Ceferin has been vocal in his criticism since Infantino revealed his controversial plans to seek private investment in a company to run FIFA tournaments.
He now believes Infantino’s previously impregnable position is under threat, with Ceferin forecasting the Swiss will have to stand down or face a leadership challenge if he seeks re-election at the next FIFA Congress, in Morocco in March.
Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
But Ceferin, who revealed he has not spoken to Infantino since the start of the controversy, insisted the current situation was very different.
“There are two options,” he said.
“One option is that he (Infantino) 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 AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are considered two of the most likely challengers for Infantino’s position.
Infantino was in the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional football officials, despite Montagliani reportedly asking him to stay away from a youth tournament there.
In video remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, the 56-year-old Infantino appeared to reference the furore surrounding him.
“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.”
Fans reacted on X to the statement, #siralexwengee wrote Alexander Ceferin has conceded that he can’t do what Infantino does but he assured everyone that he can at least keep talking.” #rakebitcom posted “not running but still talking.”
#SportsCryptoHQ said “That’s a big statement from Ceferin. He may not want the FIFA job, but his view on Infantino’s future will still get a lot of talk. Football politics is never quiet.”
#PietbruInvest noted “Čeferin stepping aside doesn’t mean the pressure disappears. If he still believes Infantino is on borrowed time, the real question becomes who can turn that institutional opposition into a credible candidacy.”
The growing pressure on Infantino shows no sign of easing as key confederations maintain their demand for change. With the FIFA Congress in Rabat just months away, the focus now shifts to whether a credible challenger will emerge. – Agency report.
