The Fifa hopeful hoping to take Infantino down with ‘samurai spirit’

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association and a member of Fifa’s Council, says he will challenge Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency, hoping to bring what he calls “good change” to the organisation. He says he is driven by concerns about recent decisions and wants to strengthen governance and make football accessible to all.

The 68-year-old first needs endorsements from five member associations to qualify for the March election in Morocco; he says he has received encouraging replies from some he approached. Tashima acknowledges Infantino has substantial support, but says he hopes to win and will campaign on sincerity, fair play and integrity. He criticised the handling of a suspension involving US forward Folarin Balogun and the abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors; former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has also declared his candidacy.