Infantino reshapes Caribbean oversight as FIFA election battle intensifies
Gianni Infantino has reshaped FIFA’s management of the Caribbean by appointing loyalist Gelson Fernandes to oversee the region separately from the rest of CONCACAF, a move that comes months before the presidential election and amid an increasingly public battle over support for the FIFA president.
Gianni Infantino has separated FIFA’s management of the Caribbean from the rest of CONCACAF and appointed Gelson Fernandes to oversee the region, adding another political dimension to the build-up to FIFA’s presidential election in March.Fernandes, a former Switzerland international and current FIFA director of member associations for Africa, will now also take responsibility for the 21 Caribbean-based member associations.FIFA said: “With his extensive experience at FIFA and strong knowledge of football development programmes, Gelson will lead the regional team and will work closely with the member associations across the Caribbean to further support the development of football in their respective countries.”The governing body said the change supports Infantino’s objective of making football “truly global”, but opponents of the president view the restructuring as an attempt to weaken CONCACAF’s internal alignment ahead of the election.The timing is significant because UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have all been involved in opposition to Infantino following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.The Caribbean could be decisive in that wider political contest. Its 21 associations account for a substantial share of CONCACAF’s voting strength and therefore represent an important bloc in any presidential challenge.Infantino has also increased his engagement with Caribbean associations in recent months.At a Caribbean Football Union meeting in the Dominican Republic, he announced approval for multiple FIFA-funded development projects worth millions of dollars to the region.That investment adds a financial dimension to the political battle, with smaller associations potentially benefiting significantly from FIFA development funding while also holding votes in the presidential election.Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts has already backed the status quo and defended Infantino’s broader development agenda.Ricketts said: “Infantino might have made a mistake, but the intentions were to help Caribbean countries or help smaller countries. Can you imagine Jamaica getting US$40m to invest in football?”The appointment of Fernandes also alters the operating structure inside FIFA. He replaces Jair Bertoni as the organisation’s liaison with Caribbean associations while retaining responsibility for Africa.Fernandes works closely with FIFA chief member associations officer Elkhan Mammadov, another senior figure regarded as close to Infantino.The political landscape remains fluid. Mexico has already backed Infantino, while Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also supported him despite opposition elsewhere in the AFC.Infantino has confirmed he will seek another term, with rival candidates facing a November 18 deadline to enter the race.The restructuring of FIFA’s Caribbean operation therefore arrives at a sensitive moment, with development funding, regional alliances and voting blocs becoming increasingly important to the balance of power ahead of March’s election.