Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has announced his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in next year’s election as reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old former Switzerland international is the first person to publicly confirm his candidacy against Infantino, who has said he remains committed to leading football’s world governing body.

Vega, who also played for Celtic and Watford, retired from football in 2004 and later moved into finance. He said he was seeking to reunite the global football community and introduce major reforms to FIFA.

“I am standing to reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise FIFA for the 21st Century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our game urgently needs,” Vega said.

The former centre-back has previously considered running for the FIFA presidency. He explored a bid in 2015 following the suspension of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and announced in 2019 that he would challenge Infantino.

However, he failed to secure the backing of the required five of FIFA’s 211 member associations and was therefore not included on the ballot.

Announcing his latest bid, Vega said his experience had prepared him to serve football in a leadership capacity.

“I am standing because my life has prepared me to serve the game,” he said.

Vega criticised what he described as divisions within football administration and called for a new direction at FIFA.

“Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators. Football is greater than any position, any individual or any institution,” he said.

He added that the sport belonged to players, coaches, referees, supporters, clubs, leagues, associations and communities around the world.

Vega also accused the current FIFA leadership of damaging the organisation’s credibility and eroding trust among stakeholders.

“The current leadership has demoralised the game. Weak governance has damaged FIFA’s credibility and eroded trust across the global football family,” he said.

He called for an end to internal disputes that could affect those directly involved in the sport.

“Ego-driven battles within football administration must never be allowed to damage those who matter most: the players, coaches, referees and supporters around the world. They are not responsible for these conflicts. They deserve better,” Vega said.

Infantino has faced calls to step down but said last month that he was “fully committed to leading FIFA.”

Vega, meanwhile, said FIFA could no longer afford cosmetic changes and needed fundamental reform.

“Football is in the emergency room, on life support. We cannot wait any longer. FIFA needs a new direction and fundamental reform,” he said.

The former Spurs player will now seek the necessary support from FIFA member associations as he attempts to secure a place on the ballot for next year’s presidential election. (The PUNCH)

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