African associations back Infantino as he promises more funding
Gianni Infantino has secured the backing of all 54 African football associations for his FIFA re-election campaign after promising further investment in the continent.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has gained a significant bloc of support ahead of March’s presidential election, with Africa’s 54 member associations pledging their backing as he committed to increasing resources for the continent.The endorsement was announced at a strategy conference in Cape Verde, where Infantino addressed national association presidents representing more than a quarter of FIFA’s 211 members, amid opposition elsewhere to his leadership and commercial plans.CAF president Patrice Motsepe said: “There is a unanimous decision by the 54 CAF member associations to unconditionally support Gianni as president of FIFA.“This is because of the history and the support that Gianni has given to African football.”The commitment strengthens Infantino’s electoral position following the withdrawal of his proposal to bring private investors into a company that would manage FIFA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.That initiative prompted resistance from European and North American associations, with the dispute widening into demands for changes to FIFA’s governance and leadership.Infantino used his address to highlight the funding delivered to Africa through the FIFA Forward development programme since he became president in 2016.Infantino commented: “As FIFA president, I am proud to have contributed with you a little bit in this revolution in African football in the last 10 years.“With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions.”His promise of further support was not accompanied by a specific new funding allocation, but he said FIFA would continue seeking resources to strengthen African football.Infantino added: “Our commitment is to make sure that your football is going to continue to improve and grow, give you more opportunities. Ten countries at the last World Cup has been a success for the entire continent.”He also addressed disagreements without referring directly to the abandoned investment proposal.Infantino continued: “When you go through a journey, sometimes concerns are raised. When they are raised, we have to address them. As far as we are concerned at FIFA, we address them always with the spirit of dialogue and with open arms, an open heart and an open mind. We can always be better and do better.”The African endorsement comes as former Switzerland international Ramon Vega prepares a challenge, having announced his intention to stand against Infantino, although that declaration does not itself secure a place on the ballot.Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has accepted a unanimous request from Europe’s 55 national associations to seek a final term at the European governing body, having already ruled out pursuing FIFA’s presidency.At their Berlin meeting, UEFA and its associations, with the exception of Azerbaijan, supported a reform agenda and reiterated their loss of confidence in FIFA’s current leadership. European associations will continue discussions with counterparts elsewhere before another meeting ahead of November 17.