Kozo Tashima announces bid to challenge Infantino for FIFA presidency

Kozo Tashima says he will stand for FIFA president, putting forward a potential challenge to incumbent Gianni Infantino in next year’s election. The 68-year-old has the backing of the Japan Football Association, but needs support from four more national associations to be eligible, according to Nieuws.nl’s report of his announcement.

Tashima made the announcement after a meeting of the Japanese association. He told Japanese journalists that he wanted to convey values he said Japanese football had long upheld. “What FIFA needs now are precisely the values we have always cherished,” he said, according to the report.

The election is scheduled for 18 March. Former Swiss footballer Ramon Vega has also said he wants to challenge Infantino, but Nieuws.nl reported that he had not yet secured the required support. Vega’s planned challenge was announced in October.