Norwegian FA chief Klaveness cools Fifa election talk and takes swipe at Blatter
Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness has played down her Fifa presidency ambitions and taken a swipe at Sepp Blatter, the former boss of the embattled governing body.
Klaveness, a former international player, is a long-standing and outspoken critic of Fifa and has been touted as a potential challenger to current kingpin Gianni Infantino.
Infantino is battling to save his job in the wake of a huge backlash against his secret plan to sell off stakes in a new company that would manage the World Cup’s commercial rights.
“As of now, we have a sitting president who is still sitting, and that is what we are dealing with,” Klaveness said today.
“When and if he resigns, or if he does not resign and seeks re-election, there must be a counter-candidate. Then we must decide on that, and then you will know.
“The press speculates about many candidates, and that’s the press’s job, but I don’t hear any internal discussions about real candidates. At least not with us.
“I register these names, and I also register that my name is mentioned. It is not something that is a topic at all.”
Klaveness: Blatter wanted women in shorter shorts
Among those to talk up her claims has been Blatter, the former Fifa president removed from office amid an organisation-wide corruption scandal and a staunch Infantino critic.
“Lise Klaveness deserves the utmost respect,” he wrote on social media this week. “She was the only one who consistently took a clear stance and did not follow the flow. And in Fifa, the time has come for a woman to take over the leadership.”
Klaveness dismissed Blatter’s endorsement, citing his views on women’s football when he was in office, which included suggesting that players be asked to wear more revealing kits.
“I’m not on X, but I saw this. Sepp Blatter was president when I was a player,” she said. “I remember he wanted us to play with shorter shorts, and then I commented on it. But I have no comment on this.”
No challenger has come forward to stand against Infantino, who is currently due to be re-elected unopposed next year if he can avoid being forced out before then.
Uefa, AFC and Concacaf – the bodies representing Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Central and North America – have all said they have lost confidence in his leadership.
Concacaf boss Victor Montagliani, currently a Fifa vice president, is reported to be considering standing but Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin has not given any indication of his intentions.