Switzerland's Ramon Vega (R) and Italy's Demetrio Albertini leap for the ball during a Euro 2000 Group 1 qualifying match between Italy and Switzerland at Udine's Friuli stadium 10 October 1998. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) (Photo by MICHELE LIMINA / KEYSTONE / Keystone via AFP)

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega said on Wednesday he intends to stand in next year's FIFA presidential election against fellow Swiss Gianni Infantino, becoming the first candidate to ​ publicly declare his ambition to challenge the incumbent.

"My purpose is straightforward: to serve football and the people who give the game ​ its life," Vega said in his manifesto.

"I am standing to reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise FIFA for the 21st century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our ​ game urgently needs."

Last month, the Swiss Football Association became the latest national body to withdraw its ​ support for Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president.

European soccer's governing body UEFA has pledged to present a rival candidate before the November deadline.

Infantino last month wrote to FIFA's 211 member associations proposing an independent review ​ of the governing body's ​ decision-making processes.

"Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators," Vega added. "Football ​ is greater than ⁠ any position, any individual or any institution.

"It is the people's game and belongs to everyone: the players, coaches, referees, supporters, volunteers, clubs, leagues, associations and communities that give football its life...