Kathmandu— Aleksander Ceferin, head of European football’s governing body UEFA, has announced he is not interested in running for the FIFA presidency, but strongly implied that Gianni Infantino should resign or face a leadership challenge at the upcoming FIFA Congress in March. The call comes amid growing controversy surrounding Infantino's plans to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, which have drawn criticism from UEFA and other continental federations. Ceferin explained his decision stems from his commitment to UEFA and a desire to maintain his credibility, while also forecasting that Infantino will struggle to retain support if he pursues reelection.

Infantino’s Position Under Pressure

Gianni Infantino has faced increasing calls for his resignation following the unveiling of his proposal to attract private investment into FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. This plan sparked widespread opposition, leading UEFA to threaten a boycott of FIFA competitions and several federations to withdraw their support. Ceferin believes that Infantino’s previously secure position is now significantly weakened, stating there are two possible outcomes: either Infantino recognizes the lack of support from the broader football community or he faces a challenger in the March elections.

UEFA Gains Regional Support

UEFA's stance against Infantino has garnered backing from key regional blocs, including the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa are being considered as potential candidates to challenge Infantino for the presidency. Despite this growing opposition, Infantino has been actively seeking support in regions like the Caribbean, even attending meetings in the Dominican Republic while facing calls to stay away from a youth tournament.

Infantino Seeks Direct Appeal

Despite the mounting pressure, Infantino appears determined to remain in office and is focusing his efforts on securing support from less affluent national associations. In recent remarks, he emphasized the importance of dialogue and expressed happiness with the support he has received, framing himself as a champion for poorer football nations. He has reportedly been attempting to bypass confederations and appeal directly to individual member associations throughout the crisis.

Infantino has shown no indication that he intends to step down from his role, which he has held since 2016, and is aiming to secure a new term until 2031. FIFA has not yet responded to requests for comment on Ceferin’s criticism.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.