The Fifa hopeful hoping to take Infantino down with ‘samurai spirit’

Kozo Tashima is under no illusions it will be easy to take down Gianni Infantino – but the first serious challenger for the Fifa presidency says he will draw on his “samurai spirit”.

First, the 68-year-old needs to get the endorsement of five member associations around the world.

The honorary president of the Japan Football Association said he has had “good replies” from those he has contacted since announcing his ambition to run in the March elections.

If he achieves the necessary endorsements, the next step is an altogether different proposition – toppling Infantino, who has been in charge of Fifa for a decade and told BBC Sport last month he believed he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of world football.

Tashima, who sits on the Fifa Council, acknowledged the scale of the challenge, but wants to bring “good change” to the organisation.

The former footballer says he is driven by disappointment in Infantino’s recent actions, surrounding the cancelled suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup and the abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, he spoke of why he feels he cannot leave Fifa as it is.

“I know [Infantino] has a lot of supporters,” he said. “Now I am alone and my budget is not enough but it is OK. My policy, my philosophy, I have to fight against him with my samurai spirit.

“I would like to make sure that the game of football is safeguarded and to be loved and enjoyed by everybody. We have to review the system in Fifa and build good governance.

“In the uncertain situation of the world, sports – especially football – can present good values like fair play, co-operation, hard work, integrity, and show the model of the society. So, first to review and rebuild good governance and make football accessible for all with the principle of football first.”

Asked how confident he was in his ability to get the five endorsements, he said: “I have confidence. I already asked to some of the member association and [received] good replies so far.”

He laughed when asked if he realistically hopes to win the election in Morocco in March, before saying: “Of course, of course yes, I hope I will win. It is not easy.”

Tashima’s campaign will centre on his philosophy for the role of Fifa president, which he described as one based on the “values of sincerity, soundness, fair play, and integrity”.

Regarding the Balogun red-card incident, which involved US President Donald Trump calling Infantino to ask for the ban to be reviewed, Tashima said: “I have never seen the red card and the next game who can play.

“This is, I hope, never happens in the world football. He didn’t explain about this issue, how to come and how [it came] to happen.

He added: “Most of the things are not answered yet by Mr President Infantino.

“With my experience in Japan Football Association, Asian Football Confederation, and Fifa, for some more than 20 years, I would like to bring good change if I am elected.”

Last month, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega announced his intention to stand as a candidate in next year’s Fifa presidential election.

He told BBC Sport he had received “more than five” endorsements, but declined to give details of the identities of the member associations backing him.

All candidates must prove they have played an “active role” in football for two of the last five years. Vega has said he is confident he is eligible to stand for the presidency as a shareholder of a club.

Vega has attempted to run for the presidency three times before but each time has failed to garner the necessary support of five associations.

Tashima can therefore be considered the first serious challenger to Infantino.