The honorary president of the Japanese Football Federation, Kozo Tashima, has announced his intention to run against Gianni Infantino to become the next president of Fifa.
Tashima, 68, is a member of the FIFA Council and a former international footballer and coach.
He said he wanted to convey “integrity, solidity and high moral standards” and “contribute to a better future for football”.
Infantino has come under close scrutiny since it emerged he was considering selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal was abandoned at the end of July, after significant backlash from world football.
The deadline to run for office is November 18.
While support for Infantino has been hit hard by the FFE scandal, he has increased his support in recent months.
Infantino told BBC Sport last month that he felt he had the support of the “vast, vast majority” of world football as he sought a fourth term as FIFA head.
His comments come after he was “fully supported” by the Asian Football Confederation – following a U-turn from its president, Sheikh Salman.
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega was the first person to put his name forward in October for next year’s Fifa presidential election.
However, Tashima’s emergence as a challenger – with the backing of the Japan Football Association (JFA) – will now test the strength of Infantino’s fan base.
Like all candidates, Tashima will need the support of five FIFA member associations.
Gn sports
