He is set for a fourth term as FIFA president after appearing to secure enough votes despite global outrage over his sale plot and a fans’ petition calling for him to quit
Gianni Infantino looks set to be re-elected football’s global leader – despite the furore over his World Cup sell-off plan. His chances of securing a fourth term as FIFA president have been given a huge boost after the Asian Football Confederation officially pledged him its backing.
Infantino has been under pressure since it emerged in July he had sidelined the FIFA Council and national associations over a plan to flog stakes in a company to run the World Cup to private investors.
Days later Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa co-signed a letter with counterparts at UEFA and CONCACAF – North and Central American nations plus the Caribbean – slamming the plan.
It is understood at that time Sheikh Salman believed Infantino should resign. However Infantino has since consolidated his fan base – winning unanimous support in Africa and from key Asian nations including Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He can also count on support in South America and Oceania.
Now Sheikh Salman has confirmed Infantino has the backing of the Asian confederation at its Congress in Bangkok.
He told the Congress: “Our greatest strength lies in our unity, and we have all seen the historic heights Asian football can achieve when we stand together. The Asian game’s remarkable journey and historic achievements are deeply rooted in the strong partnership, trust, and shared vision that we share as one united family. As we look toward a brighter and more competitive future, our solidarity remains our greatest strength. We are ready to move forward, united in support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.”
Opposition to Infantino is now largely centred in Europe. UEFA said in August it had lost confidence in Infantino over the private investor plan and pledged to identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against him in the election in Morocco next March. The deadline for candidates to be submitted is November 18.
Earlier this week UEFA wrote to FIFA seeking answers to a series of questions linked to Infantino’s leadership. Topics include the private investor plan, the World Cup final half-time show and tournament’s hydration breaks.
Also queried was his handling of the Folarin Balogun case – the American striker whose red card ban was suspended allowing him to carry on playing following a direct appeal to Infantino by US President Donald Trump.
Supporters’ groups worldwide have launched a petition calling for Infantino to resign and wholesale reform of football’s governing body.
A statement on behalf of the fan organisations said: “The shameful attempt by one individual – the FIFA president himself – to sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will never forget. Infantino’s plan was stitched together in secret. Negotiated behind closed doors. Hidden from FIFA’s own members and from the millions of people whose passion makes football what it is.
“A president who repeatedly betrays football and makes a mockery of our game has lost the right to lead it. For the credibility of FIFA and for the future of the game he must resign.”
The petition – which calls for reform of FIFA including the formal involvement of supporters and other key football stakeholders in decisions that shape the future of the game – has 44,000 signatures.
Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe, which is a signatory, has said: “The departure of Gianni Infantino is a first and a must, but that can only have a positive impact if it’s followed by some reform of the office and of governance. If a man can concentrate so many powers then the governance of FIFA is not fit for purpose. FIFA needs to start from scratch.
“All the reforms from 2016 have been erased or made irrelevant by Infantino. We need to be as open-minded as possible on the future of football governance and there are other models outside football, outside sport, that need to be looked into – the idea of rotating presidencies seems interesting.”