Former Spurs defender seeks FIFA presidency

Paris, France — Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has become the first person to announce he intends to run against incumbent Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election next year. The 55-year-old former Switzerland centre-back has been working in finance since he retired in 2004. It is not the first time, though, that Vega has announced his intention to run for the top job at world football's governing body. He had considered running against Infantino following the resignation of Sepp Blatter in the wake of a corruption scandal in 2015. And he tried to challenge his fellow Swiss in 2022, but failed to garner sufficient support to make it onto the ballot. "The situation has evolved a lot since then," Vega told AFP, adding FIFA's member associations were "much more open to change" than when he previously sought to stand. "I am standing because my life has prepared me to serve the game," Vega added in an 11-page dossier announcing his candidacy. "I believe I have a duty and a social responsibility to protect and defend football -- its integrity, its people and its future." Pressure has been building on Infantino, who has lost the support of numerous FIFA member…