Infantino faces re-election challenge warning from UEFA boss Ceferin

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has issued a stark warning to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that he must either resign or face a serious leadership challenge at the upcoming FIFA Congress in March. Ceferin, who oversees European football, has been a vocal critic of Infantino, particularly over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment for FIFA tournaments.

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I’m not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… it’s time to also enjoy life a bit. And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.

Ceferin, speaking on a podcast, clarified that he has no personal interest in replacing Infantino. "I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… it’s time to also enjoy life a bit," he said. He added that his credibility would be higher if he remained outside the race for FIFA's top job.

However, Ceferin believes Infantino's position is no longer secure. He outlined two potential paths forward for the FIFA president: either Infantino recognizes his lack of broad support from the football community, fans, and players, and steps down, or he proceeds to the elections in March, where he is likely to face opposition.

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There are two options. One option is that he (Infantino) 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. And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him.

"I don’t know yet who," Ceferin said when asked about potential challengers, but he indicated that figures like CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are considered likely candidates. Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 with significant European backing, has seen that support erode following the controversy over his investment plans. Despite the pressure, Infantino recently expressed confidence in the support he receives, even as reports emerged of him attending meetings despite requests to stay away from certain events.

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It’s important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions. A lot has been happening the last few weeks, and it’s important that you hear, you listen, and you’re able to also express what your feelings are. So I think overall positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here.