Home · Sports · Oct 24 archive
Infantino Claims Backing of 'Vast Majority' for FIFA Re-Election
Confirmed
In Short: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed the backing of the 'vast, vast majority' of member associations in his bid for re-election, according to Arabnews.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed the backing of the 'vast, vast majority' of member associations in his bid for re-election, according to Arabnews. He faces criticism over his aborted plan to sell off a portion of FIFA's commercial rights to private investors.
Infantino told the BBC that he acknowledges differing viewpoints within FIFA and emphasized the need for dialogue. He said, 'There are different points of view, it’s not always easy to bring them all under one roof, but we need to respect all opinions and views.'
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently rallied behind Infantino, a significant boost for his re-election campaign. Infantino's popularity had been waning after the World Cup selloff plan was met with fierce backlash.
Infantino addressed the controversy during an interview with the BBC, saying, 'We'll answer all the questions that are asked as far as the process allows, as far as we can.' He also acknowledged that FIFA had made some mistakes in its handling of the FFE proposal.
Infantino’s future was in doubt two months ago when he faced a furious backlash over his plan to sell off FIFA’s commercial rights. However, he has since apologized to the FIFA Council over the 'communication and consultation' regarding the proposal.
The deadline for any opposition candidates to come forward is November 18, but no other candidate has yet emerged to challenge Infantino's position.
Infantino was recently endorsed by the AFC, which had previously criticized him for a breach of trust. He also noted that he has the backing of 'all African countries.'
Infantino’s re-election bid will be decided in March, and the reality of his claim to have the backing of the 'vast majority' will become clear then.
Infantino emphasized the importance of respecting differing viewpoints and said, 'It's OK to disagree. It's OK to have different points of view, but then we need to be able to move on.'
What this adds
Infantino's re-election bid remains uncertain despite his claims of widespread support.
The AFC's endorsement represents a significant shift from their previous stance against Infantino.
The lack of opposition candidates by the deadline could solidify Infantino's position.
What's confirmed
- He added: “There are different points of view it’s not always easy to bring them all under one roof but we need to respect and I do respect all opinions all views and then it will be up to the FIFA member associations to decide who they want as a president and how they want FIFA to be run.” Stay on top of the issues that matter to you the most.
What's still developing
- Speaking from the first Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, he said he and the Fifa administration were doing "as best we can" but admitted they have done "some things which are maybe less good".
- "When some of these boys participate in a World Cup 10 years, 20 years from now, they will all remember that their first World Cup was here."
- Two months ago, Infantino was facing mounting calls to stand down as president of the organisation he has led since 2016.
- He also said that they need to have dialogue "more often" with Uefa, in an effort to repair their strained relationship.
- But only last week, he apologised to the Fifa Council over the "communication and consultation" regarding FFE.
- Last week Uefa demanded that Fifa release all key documents relating to FFE by 2 November, with Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis saying that the organisation had failed to address "a number of fundamental questions".
- Yet, when pressed on when he would be providing the requested papers, he did not give a clear answer, saying they had to follow a "legal process" and that they were "working on it".
- "It's just beautiful to bring the world together at such a young age to create something like this," Infantino said.
- His latest comments came after he apologized to FIFA’s ruling council last week for “mistakes” in his secretive investment plan for the World Cup.
- Now, in an interview released on Saturday with the BBC at the Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, Infantino brushed off calls for him to step down.
- Infantino is standing for a final term in office in March.