Asian Football chief backs Infantino for FIFA re-election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 11:03 · Archive

The head of the Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president.

The head of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, has endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president. Speaking at the AFC's congress in Tokyo on Friday, Salman said: 'We re-affirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as FIFA president.'

The endorsement comes two months after Salman had joined the presidents of UEFA and CONCACAF in penning an open letter criticising Infantino's conduct. Salman had described the FIFA president's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors as a 'breach of trust'. Infantino had faced calls to resign over the failed attempt to bring private investors into a new commercial entity holding rights linked to FIFA competitions.

Infantino apologised over the handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich this month. Salman told the congress: 'Yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past but let's not relate the two things together. We need to move forward.' Infantino is up for re-election in March, and the support of the Asian bloc could prove crucial.

Asian Football chief backs Infantino for FIFA re-election — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

Asia soccer boss backs Infantino's re-election bidGianni Infantino's controversial pitch for re-election as FIFA president has received the endorsement of the head of the Asian Football Confederation.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 10:37
Asia soccer boss backs Infantino's re-election bidGianni Infantino's controversial pitch for re-election as FIFA president has received the endorsement of the head of the Asian Football Confederation.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 10:37

In this story: Gianni Infantino · Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa · Asian Football Confederation · UEFA · CONCACAF · FIFA · Tokyo

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