Former Celtic star Ramon Vega has confirmed his candidacy for the FIFA presidential election. Candidates are now emerging for the elections at the 77th FIFA congress on March 18.
Gianni Infantino will be running for re-election, but UEFA are determined to dethrone him due to his World Cup antics, which saw him exercise undue influence over a disciplinary decision involving Folarin Balogun.
Many were also unhappy with the additional commercialisation of the World Cup, which included water breaks that were, in many host cities, unecessary. Such breaks were a way to increase advertising revenue, and they did not go down well.
Infantino still has plenty of support from football's political figures, but he will have rivals. One of them is former Celtic loan star Vega, who has confirmed his candidacy on social media.
He posted: "OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT I FORMALLY ANNOUNCE MY CANDIDACY FOR THE FIFA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION — 18 MARCH 2027. RABAT, MOROCCO. FOOTBALL BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE — NOT TO THOSE WHO CONTROL IT.
"Football stands at a defining crossroads. The decisions we make today will shape the future of our beautiful game for generations to come. WE DECLARE ZERO TOLERANCE for leadership that has humiliated the passion of five billion football fans around the world and insulted the dignity, dedication and integrity of the millions of people who devote their lives to our beautiful game.
"Football belongs to its people. Their passion deserves respect, their voices deserve to be heard, and their contributions deserve recognition — never humiliation, intimidation or contempt. After more than a decade of preparation, I formally announce my candidacy for the Presidency of FIFA in 2027.
"Alongside me stands my Hungarian wife and First Lady, Claudia — a pioneer with over 25 years of experience in professional men s football. Together, we share an unwavering commitment to restoring trust, reforming governance and reuniting the global football family.
"I bring the mentality of a player, the discipline of a defender and decades of experience from the pitch to the boardroom. I defended my team on the field. Now I am ready to defend football itself — its integrity, its people and its future.
"My candidacy is not driven by personal ambition, power or privilege. It is driven by responsibility, conviction and a profound love for the game that has given me everything. I AM NOT STANDING TO CONTINUE THE WAR. I AM STANDING TO END IT. No individual is greater than football. No institution should ever place itself above the game.
"This is not merely an announcement of candidacy. It is a call for fundamental change, a commitment to reconciliation and a vision for a new era of world football.
"I invite every member association, player, coach, referee and supporter across the world to read my full official presidential announcement attached below.
Read it. Reflect on it. Challenge its ideas. Above all, join the conversation about the future of the game we all love. Ramon Vega. Candidate for the Presidency of FIFA 2027."
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