FIFA Council member Kohzo Tashima plans to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino for the presidency of world football's governing body, Japanese media reported Thursday. Tashima's candidacy makes him the first serious challenger to Infantino, who faced criticism in July for proposing to sell stakes in future FIFA World Cup profits to private investors.
Japanese newspaper Asahi reported that Tashima announced his intention to contest the election, scheduled for next March, at a meeting of the Japan Football Association. The federation's board members unanimously agreed to support his bid, according to the report. The JFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Tashima, 68, is a former Japan national team player and soccer federation president who has served on FIFA's ruling committee since 2015, when Sepp Blatter was president. He has a reputation as a respected, diplomatic and low-profile official in the often murky world of soccer politics.
Candidates need formal support from five of FIFA's 211 member federations, who will vote on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. They must also pass an eligibility check by a three-member panel appointed by FIFA. UEFA has been leading efforts to find a candidate to challenge Infantino ahead of a Nov. 18 deadline to enter the contest.
The development comes less than two weeks after the Asian Football Confederation, of which Japan's federation is a member, endorsed Infantino for another term as FIFA president at its extraordinary congress.
