'Quit or Face Challenger' - Ceferin Tells Infantino Ahead of FIFA Election

‘Quit or Face Challenger’ – Ceferin Tells Infantino Ahead of FIFA Election
He predicts Infantino could face a challenger in March.
Infantino faces growing opposition following abandoned private investment plans.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out replacing Gianni Infantino as FIFA president but believes the under pressure football chief could either step down or face a challenger at the next FIFA election.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Ceferin made the comments on The Rest is Politics podcast on Monday, saying he had no plans to leave UEFA for the top position in world football.

“I’m not interested because of two reasons,” the 58 year old Slovenian said.

“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.”

Infantino has faced increasing pressure over his now abandoned proposal to bring private investment into a company that would manage FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.

The proposal triggered a backlash, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions. Several continental and national football federations have also withdrawn their support for the 56 year old FIFA president.

Ceferin has been one of Infantino’s strongest critics and believes the FIFA president’s previously secure position is now under serious threat.

The FIFA Congress is scheduled to hold in Morocco in March, and Ceferin said Infantino could face an opponent if he decides to seek re election.

“There are two options,” he said.

“One option is that he 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 Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa have emerged as possible challengers to Infantino.

Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, enjoyed strong support from European football officials when he replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

However, Ceferin said the situation had changed significantly and revealed that he had not spoken with his former UEFA colleague since the dispute over Infantino’s proposal began.

Infantino travelled to the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional football officials, despite reports that Montagliani had asked him to stay away from a youth tournament in the country.

In video remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, August 23, Infantino appeared to address the controversy surrounding his leadership.