Headline: Kozo Tashima Announces Candidacy for FIFA Presidency Against Gianni Infantino
The Japan Football Association’s honorary president, Kozo Tashima, has declared his intention to challenge Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election. The 68-year-old Tashima, who serves on the FIFA Council and has a background as an international footballer and coach, aims to bring a message of “integrity, soundness, and high moral standards” to the global football community.
Tashima’s announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Infantino, particularly following reports about his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. This proposal, part of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), faced substantial backlash and was ultimately abandoned at the end of July.
The election will take place on 18 November, and Tashima’s candidacy is significant as it will test the depth of support for Infantino, who has faced challenges in recent months. Infantino previously expressed confidence in his chances, stating he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of the football world. His support appears to have been bolstered recently by a full endorsement from the Asian Football Confederation after a change of stance from its president, Sheikh Salman.
However, Tashima is now positioned as a potential challenger with the backing of the Japan Football Association (JFA). To qualify for the election, Tashima must secure the endorsement of five FIFA member associations. In making his case for candidacy, he emphasized the importance of showcasing the values and achievements of Japanese football on an international platform.
“I believe it is important to clearly communicate to the world of football the integrity, soundness, and high moral standards that Japanese football has cherished and built up over the years,” Tashima stated. He expressed his commitment to using his experience to contribute positively to the future of football.
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, president of the JFA, highlighted the significance of Tashima’s candidacy as a way to advance global football and promote the ideals and attitudes nurtured by the Japanese football community.
