UEFA details FIFA presidential candidate criteria in bid to oust Infantino

What the report says

UEFA has outlined the profile it wants in a challenger to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as European football leaders step up efforts to block his bid for a fourth term. In a statement after a meeting of its 55 member federations in Berlin, UEFA said it wants a “respected and unifying” figure with deep football roots, global standing, and a commitment to reform, integrity and independence. The organization also said FIFA’s oversight bodies should be protected from presidential influence and repeated its call for each member federation to receive a one-time $10 million payment from FIFA reserves.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, UEFA’s strategy is part of a broader push to line up an alternative candidate before the November 18 deadline for nominations ahead of the FIFA election on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said he will not run for FIFA president and instead will seek re-election to a fourth and final term at UEFA next April in Astana, Kazakhstan. The report says Ceferin and other officials have been seeking support since July amid concern over Infantino’s style of leadership.

The article says UEFA’s criticism also reflects unease over FIFA decisions and governance, including questions about executive interference in football matters. Separately, Infantino was in Cape Verde speaking to African federation leaders and highlighting FIFA investment in Africa through the FIFA Forward programme. Former Switzerland and Tottenham defender Ramon Vega said he wants to run, though it is unclear whether he meets FIFA’s eligibility rules.