Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, said on Thursday he will stand against Gianni Infantino in FIFA’s presidential election in March. Tashima is the second person to declare he will challenge Infantino, following former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega. The 68-year-old Tashima, who has served on the FIFA Council, said in a statement: “With the full support of the JFA I have decided to declare my candidacy in the FIFA presidential election.
Incumbent Infantino, who is seeking to be re-elected to a fourth and final term as FIFA president, had faced stinging criticism and calls to quit after his aborted World Cup selloff plan. But Infantino is now in a strong position to secure re-election after the Asian Football Confederation endorsed the 56-year-old last month. Infantino earlier said he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of member associations, and dismissed calls for him to go.
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