Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin rules out Fifa presidency bid

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin ruled himself out of running for the Fifa presidency but said Gianni Infantino would likely face a challenger if he seeks re-election next year following a global backlash over a plan to sell part of the World Cup to private investors.

Speaking to The Rest Is Politics: Leading podcast, which will air on Monday, Ceferin said he was not interested in succeeding Infantino despite growing uncertainty around the Fifa president’s future after his abandoned investment proposal.

“One reason is that I love Uefa and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point you have also, I mean, it’s time also to enjoy life a bit,” Ceferin said.

“Let’s see till when. And the second point is, my credibility is much, much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”

The Uefa chief, who said he has had no contact with Infantino since controversy erupted over the abandoned sell-off plan, suggested the Swiss administrator would likely face opposition if he stands again in March.

“There are two options,” Ceferin said. “One option is that he realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of [the] football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches.”