Arsène Wenger is not currently expected to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, despite UEFA’s efforts to persuade him to stand, The Athletic reports. Sources briefed on the process told the outlet that Wenger has informed UEFA he does not currently intend to run. Source
Wenger considered standing but has ruled himself out, The Sunday Times reports. The former Arsenal manager is FIFA’s global head of football development. Not exactly an outside challenger. Source
Senior FIFA officials met Wenger to urge him not to stand, according to The Sunday Times. UEFA and those FIFA officials were making rather different recruitment pitches. The report does not establish that the officials’ intervention caused his decision. Source
Nominations close on November 18 for the March 18 election in Rabat, Morocco, The Sunday Times reports. Candidates need support from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member associations. The paper says UEFA is believed to be working on another candidate but does not name one. Source
Wenger’s reported decision doesn’t guarantee Infantino a ballot all to himself. Kozo Tashima, a Japanese member of FIFA’s ruling council and honorary chairman of the Japan FA, has declared his intention to stand, according to The Sunday Times. The paper does not say whether he has secured the required nomination backing. Source
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