Former Switzerland, Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic defender Ramon Vega intends to stand in the FIFA presidential elections scheduled for early 2027.
At 55, Vega has emerged as the first candidate to position himself as a direct challenger to incumbent Gianni Infantino in the race for the FIFA presidency.
Infantino has already confirmed his intention to seek re-election, brushing aside mounting controversy over proposals to sell private stakes in the World Cup while resisting calls from several governing bodies demanding his resignation.
The former centre-back, who plied his trade across Switzerland and England and earned 29 caps for his national team, hung up his boots in 2004 before forging a successful career in the finance sector.
“I am standing to unite the football family and bring about reform and modernisation to FIFA, to restore its stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust our sport urgently needs. I am running because my life has prepared me to help this game,” Vega told the ‘BBC’.
“Football does not belong to presidents, confederations, or administrators. Football goes beyond that; it is the people’s sport. The current leadership has demoralised football. It has damaged FIFA’s credibility. We must stop this before it worsens.”
Prospective candidates must submit their bids before 18 November, with the decisive vote scheduled to take place on 18 May at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.