Japan's Tashima to stand against Infantino for Fifa presidency

What the report says

Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has said he will stand in Fifa’s next presidential election, setting up a challenge to Gianni Infantino. BBC Sport reports that Tashima, 68, is also a Fifa Council member and a former Japan international player and coach. His candidacy has the backing of the Japan Football Association, according to the article.

Tashima said he wants to promote values he described as integrity, soundness and high moral standards, and to help shape a better future for football. JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said the bid reflects an effort to contribute to the sport’s further development and to share the principles associated with Japanese football.

The move comes amid scrutiny of Infantino after plans linked to the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal to sell World Cup stakes to private investors were dropped following criticism from across world football. BBC Sport notes that Infantino has since said he believes he still has broad support and was recently backed by the Asian Football Confederation after an earlier change in position by its president.

The deadline for candidates to enter the race is 18 November, and any contender needs support from five Fifa member associations. Tashima’s entry adds another test for Infantino’s bid for a fourth term and may offer a measure of how much support he retains across the global game.