Ex-Celtic defender Ramon Vega ‘may run for Fifa president’

FORMER Celtic defender Ramon Vega is considering standing for election as the next president of Fifa, according to reports.

Ramon Vega during the CIS Cup semi-final between Rangers and Celtic in 2001. Picture: Robert Perry

Current chief Sepp Blatter has been suspended by the governing body amid allegations of corruption, with the 79-year-old having already agreed to step down from the position he has held for 17 years.

UEFA President Michel Platini had been the overwhelming favourite to take over, though he too has been caught up in the investigations over a £1.35m payment made to him, by Blatter, in what has been called a “gentleman’s agreement’.

Platini’s candidacy will be discussed at a meeting of Fifa’s executive committee on Tuesday, while the body will also decide whether or not to postpone February’s elections in the wake of the scandal.

Current Fifa President Sepp Blatter has been suspended. Picture: Robert Perry

Vega will decide by the end of this week whether he will decide to stand.

“I come without baggage and I have substantial experience from both football and in finance,” Vega said.

The Swiss international spent only six months at Celtic Park after arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in December 2000, but made an indelible mark during his short-time north of the border.

He played 26 times as Martin O’Neill’s side secured the domestic treble and the Northern Irishman moved to try and sign him up to a permanent deal.

Instead, Vega decided to return to England, where he spent one season at Watford before moving onto French club Créteil and retiring in 2003.