Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has said he will run against Gianni Infantino in FIFA's presidential election in March, Al Jazeera reports.
The 68-year-old former FIFA Council member, who led the JFA from 2016 to 2024, said he had the association's full backing and wanted to promote the integrity and ethical standards valued in Japanese football. He is the second declared challenger, after former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega. Candidates have until 18 November to come forward.
Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term. He faced heavy criticism and calls to step down over an abandoned plan linked to the sale of World Cup rights, but the Asian Football Confederation endorsed him last month and he says most member associations support him.
Source: Al Jazeera
