Japan FA head Kozo Tashima to stand against Infantino for Fifa presidency
Tashima says he brings âÂÂhonest, sound, upright attitudeâÂÂ
âÂÂWhat Fifa â needs now are these values,â he adds
The Japan Football Association president, Kozo Tashima, â has said he will run for the â Fifa âÂÂpresidency in March.
Gianni Infantino, â who is seeking re-election, has faced opposition since his failed â move in July to bring âÂÂprivate investors into âÂÂa new âÂÂFifa commercial entity holding rights linked âÂÂto competitions including the World Cup.
Tashima told Sports Nippon: âÂÂI am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the JFA. ItâÂÂs not about winning or losing but about conveying âÂÂto the world the honest, sound and upright attitude that Japanese football has built. What Fifa â needs now are these values that âÂÂwe âÂÂhave protected. I âÂÂhave decided to run in âÂÂorder âÂÂto make âÂÂthis âÂÂappeal to the world.âÂÂ
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The 68-year-old Tashima is a former Japan player who has been on FifaâÂÂs ruling committee since 2015, when Sepp Blatter was president. He has a reputation as a respected, diplomatic and low-profile official in the often murky world of football politics.
Candidates need formal support from five of FifaâÂÂs 211 member federations, who will vote on 18 March in Rabat, Morocco. They must also pass an eligibility check by a three-member panel appointed by Fifa.