Ramon Vega, the former Swiss national team captain, won the English Premier League Cup with Tottenham Hotspur in 1999 despite participating in the final match suffering from a broken ankle. He believes that this determination can lead him to victory in his campaign for the FIFA presidency elections.
The former centre-back (55 years old) participated in more than 60 matches in the English Premier League, and also played one season with Cagliari in the Italian First Division, in addition to a loan period with Scottish club Celtic.
Since his retirement in 2003, Vega, who speaks six languages, has built a successful career in business and tried to run for the presidency of FIFA in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
Vega has no doubts about his ability to oust Gianni Infantino next March, when the 211 FIFA member associations decide who will lead world football during the next four years.
He says that a combination of his experience as a player, his business acumen, and his integrity makes him the most capable person to bring together fans, administrators and players.
To run for election, Vega must obtain the support of at least five national federations before the deadline for submitting nominations next Wednesday, in addition to proving that he has recently worked in a football-related position.
Although he will not reveal who supports him, Vega says he has support from all continents, not least because he has spent a large sum of his own money over the past decade visiting more than 140 countries to mobilize support.
Vega told Reuters via Zoom from Dubai: “Well, I am a football player, and if I as a player go to a cup final thinking that I will lose, it is better for me to quit playing before I go to Wembley Stadium.”
He added: “The elections depend on the same philosophy. I'm here to win. “You have to be brave and determined.”
He continued: “If you look at my personal experience as a professional player, when I won the League Cup, I played with a broken ankle for 90 minutes, and this tells you the answer as to whether I wanted to win or not.”
He continued: “I will do my best to ensure victory for the good of the game.” I don't care about my personal affairs. “I defend the fans’ game.”
Earlier this year, it was widely expected in football circles that Infantino would run unopposed in Rabat next March, but that all changed when details of his FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme emerged in July, shortly after the World Cup ended.
Infantino proposed selling a stake in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, a plan that angered those responsible for managing football around the world, especially in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Vega says that he does not hold any personal grudge against Infantino (56 years old), but he believes that his Swiss compatriot has become a tyrannical ruler driven by his selfishness.
He added: “Let’s be honest, selling the World Cup without the knowledge of the FIFA Council and the entire FIFA family is a complete betrayal.”
He continued: “This is morally unacceptable and contradicts principles.” If he (Infantino) had the courage, he would have stood in front of 200 cameras, raised his hands and said: (Yes, I made a mistake, and I am resigning).”
Infantino acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the way he reported on the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, and indicated that he would be open to conducting an independent review of FIFA’s governance system.
Vega was the first to emerge as a potential contender when he announced his candidacy a month ago, while former Japan Football Association president Kozo Tashima is the only other candidate to announce his candidacy since then.
“I got very positive reactions,” Vega said about the reception he received during his world tour.
He added: “Historically, no player has ever held the presidency of FIFA.” I was a fan, I got into football as a player, and now I'm a fan again. “I understand and sympathize with others, so I am ready to serve the game and unite everyone.”
Infantino remains the favorite to win a fourth term in office after strengthening his support in recent months, although informed sources say that the European Football Association (UEFA) is looking for another competitor before the deadline.
