UEFA chief Ceferin tells Infantino to quit, but 'not interested' in replacing him

[p]Infantino has come under increasing pressure to step down as head of world football's governing body over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.[/p][p]UEFA, which oversees European football, has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions with several continental and national federations also withdrawing their support for Infantino.[/p][p]But Ceferin ruled himself out of a bid to take Infantino's place, the 58-year-old Slovenian on Monday telling The Rest is Politics podcast: [b]"I'm not interested because of two reasons.[/b][/p][p][b]"One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point... it's time to also enjoy life a bit.[/b][/p][p][b]"And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I'm not interested in the position."[/b][/p][embed guid="ba10dce5-595c-4ab1-9926-d2993ac890be" url="https://x.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/2091776448277176756" social-type="twitter" /][p]Ceferin has been vocal in his criticism since Infantino revealed his controversial plans to seek private investment in a company to run FIFA tournaments.[/p][p]He now believes Infantino's previously impregnable position is under threat, with Ceferin forecasting the Swiss will have to stand down or face a leadership challenge if he seeks re-election at the next FIFA Congress, in Morocco in March.[/p][p]Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.[/p][p]But Ceferin, who revealed he has not spoken to Infantino since the start of the controversy, insisted the current situation was very different.[/p][p][b]"There are two options,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"One option is that he (Infantino) 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.[/b][/p][p][b]"And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him. I don't know yet who."[/b][/p][p]CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are considered two of the most likely challengers for Infantino's position.[/p][h2]Infantino 'support'[/h2][p]Infantino was in the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional football officials, despite Montagliani reportedly asking him to stay away from a youth tournament there.[/p][p]In video remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, the 56-year-old Infantino appeared to reference the furore surrounding him.[/p][p][b]"It's important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"A lot has been happening the last few weeks and it's important that you hear, you listen, and you're able to also express what your feelings are.[/b][/p][p][b]"So I think overall positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here."[/b][/p]