Ex-Cagliari and Tottenham defender Vega running for FIFA President

Ex-Cagliari and Tottenham defender Vega running for FIFA President Former Cagliari and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega announced he intends to run as a candidate for FIFA President against Gianni Infantino. The 55-year-old played his international football for Switzerland with two goals in 23 senior caps. He wore the Cagliari jersey in Serie A for the 1996-97 campaign, then was sold to Tottenham Hotspur, going on to play for Celtic, Watford and Creteil before retirement in 2023. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 10: Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, speaks to the media during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Press Conference at Mexico City Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) Infantino, who is also Swiss, has faced multiple calls for him to step down after a series of scandals, the biggest of which was his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. One of the main problems for critics of Infantino has been finding a suitable candidate to run against him, and Vega feels this can be his opportunity. “I am standing to reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise Fifa for the 21st Century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our game urgently needs,” Vega announced in a statement. Vega not new to FIFA ambitions MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Ramon Vega, Vega Swiss Asset Management CEO and Founder talks during day 2 of the Soccerex Global Convention 2016 at Manchester Central Convention Complex on September 27, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Daniel Smith/Getty Images for Soccerex) This isn’t the first time, nor the second, that Vega has tried to run for the role of FIFA President. He considered it in 2015 after Sepp Blatter’s suspension, then four later said he would run against Infantino, but couldn’t even get the backing of five out of the 211 member federations. “Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators. Football is greater than any position, any individual or any institution,” declared Vega in his statement. “It is the people’s game and belongs to everyone: the players, coaches, referees, supporters, volunteers, clubs, leagues, associations and communities that give football its life. “It belongs to every child discovering the game, every professional carrying the hopes of a nation, and the billions of supporters whose passion makes football the world’s game. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: CEO of Vega Swiss Asset Management, Ramon Vega (R), talks to former Spanish international footballer Gaizka Mendieta during day three of the Soccerex Global Convention at Manchester Central on September 7, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) “Football must always come first. Yet for too long, division has fractured our football family. The current leadership has demoralised the game. Weak governance has damaged FIFA’s credibility and eroded trust across the global football family. We must stop this conflict from escalating. “Ego-driven battles within football administration must never be allowed to damage those who matter most: the players, coaches, referees and supporters around the world. They are not responsible for these conflicts. They deserve better.” Vega made 15 competitive appearances in the Cagliari jersey between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.