Infantino Could Face Re-election Challenge, UEFA Boss Ceferin Warns

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has warned that FIFA President Gianni Infantino could face a leadership challenge if he seeks re-election in March.

Ceferin said he was not interested in replacing Infantino, despite growing tensions surrounding the FIFA president’s leadership and controversial plans for private investment in the organisation’s tournaments.

Infantino has faced increasing criticism following his now-abandoned proposal to secure private investment in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, while several continental and national football associations have reportedly withdrawn their support for Infantino.

Speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast on Monday, Ceferin ruled himself out of a possible presidential bid.

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

He explained that he preferred to remain at UEFA, where he enjoys his work, while also suggesting that he wanted to eventually step away from football administration and enjoy life.

Ceferin added that remaining outside the race would strengthen his credibility.

The UEFA chief has been one of Infantino’s most vocal critics since the FIFA president announced plans to seek private investment for a company that would manage FIFA tournaments.

According to Ceferin, Infantino’s previously strong position within world football has now become uncertain.

He said the FIFA president could either recognise that he no longer has sufficient support and step aside, or contest the election and face an opponent.

“There are two options,” Ceferin 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.”

He added that the second possibility was for Infantino to contest the election, but warned that he could then face a challenger.

“I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who,” Ceferin said.

Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 and initially enjoyed broad backing from European football associations.

However, Ceferin said the political environment had changed significantly since then.

The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March.

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa have been mentioned as possible challengers to Infantino.