According to L'Équipe, UEFA is searching for suitable candidates to challenge Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election next March. Olympique Lyonnais owner Jean-Michel Aulas and Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness have both been approached regarding their potential candidacy.

With 40 days remaining before the deadline, candidates must formally announce their intention to run by November 18 to challenge the controversial incumbent Infantino, who is seeking re-election. The election will take place in March at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco. Currently, no candidate has emerged with credible prospects of defeating the Swiss incumbent. In a Friday statement, UEFA expressed its lack of confidence in FIFA's current leadership and outlined the ideal candidate's qualities, emphasizing the need for institutional reform and new leadership.

According to UEFA's statement: "Member associations reiterate that they have lost confidence in the current FIFA leadership. Institutional reform alone is insufficient. FIFA needs new leadership: someone who is respected, unifying, deeply rooted in football, possesses the vision and experience necessary to lead, can build trust across regions, and is committed to advancing football, reform, integrity, and independence."

To identify candidates meeting these criteria who can break from the status quo, some are considering supporting a woman. Jean-Michel Aulas, the American businessman of Korean descent and Olympique Lyonnais owner with deep involvement in women's football, was approached but declined the candidacy invitation. Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation, was also asked about her interest in running. She acknowledged awareness of discussions regarding her candidacy but indicated that running is not currently part of her plans.

On August 7, after reports that Infantino planned to sell World Cup broadcasting rights to private investors, Norway's Football Federation became the first nation to call for his resignation. Days earlier, the Norwegian federation filed two complaints with FIFA's Ethics Committee and Governance and Compliance Committee, raising three issues: the World Cup rights sale plan, the awarding of a Peace Prize to U.S. President Trump, and the overturning of Folarin Balogun's red card during the World Cup.

Finding a candidate capable of defeating Infantino is not straightforward, and accurately assessing the balance of power between supporters and opponents remains difficult. Qatar's position illustrates this complexity: while Qatar continues supporting Infantino, influential figures in Qatari football—such as Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Paris Saint-Germain chairman—maintain close ties with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, a staunch Infantino opponent, and the European Club Association (ECA).

Victor Montagliani, the Canadian CONCACAF President who was considered a potential candidate, has decided not to run. Despite reported European support, some doubt whether he could garner sufficient backing. The same question applies to AFC President Salman Al-Khalifa from Bahrain.

As for Ramón Vega, the former Swiss player who has already announced his candidacy, he does not appear to be a viable option. Before the November 18 deadline, all parties will continue deliberations to find a candidate—male or female—capable of defeating Infantino.

แปลโดย AI

เว็บไซต์ AF เปิดตัวแล้ว! ดูข่าว ความคิดเห็น รายละเอียดแมตช์ และสถิติครบถ้วนบนคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณ เยี่ยมชม: www.allfootballapp.com