Asian Football Confederation endorses Infantino for FIFA presidency

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 23 Oct, 08:08 · Archive

The Asian Football Confederation president has endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth term as FIFA president.

The Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, a significant development in his bid for a fourth term. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC's president, told the confederation's congress in Tokyo that 'we reaffirm our full commitment to supporting you as you seek a new mandate as president'. Infantino attended the meeting, where Sheikh Salman embraced him publicly before delivering the endorsement.

This represents a dramatic reversal of position. Just over two months earlier, Sheikh Salman had signed a joint letter with the presidents of UEFA and Concacaf accusing Infantino of a 'fundamental breach of trust' through deception over the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, his now-scrapped plan to sell stakes in FIFA events including the World Cup to private investors. Infantino apologised last week to FIFA's ruling council for 'mistakes' he made in assembling the $4.2bn proposal.

Speaking in Tokyo, Sheikh Salman acknowledged past disagreements but called for unity. 'Yes, we had some issues, we spoke about them in the past, but let's not relate the two things together,' he said, adding that recent meetings in Zurich had led to 'a clear understanding between us'. He indicated that not every AFC member would follow the endorsement but believed most would.

The FIFA election is scheduled for March. The deadline for candidates to file against Infantino is November 18, and so far none has done so. With Infantino already holding strong support in Africa and South America, the AFC's backing could prove crucial to securing his re-election.

How it is being reported

• Gianni Infantino handed major boost after Asian football chief backs Fifa president for re-electionThe under-fire Fifa president has a crucial ally in AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa after a turbulent few months following the controversial, but now-scrapped, $4.2bn World Cup sell-off planIndependent Sport · 23 Oct, 08:46
• Asian Football Confederation backs Gianni Infantino in U-turn on Fifa presidencyAFC president Sheikh Salman praises and hugs Infantino It had stood with Uefa and Concacaf against him The Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino for another term as Fifa’s president in a turnaround in its stance from two months ago when it criticised the head of football’s world governing body for a breach of trust. The AFC president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, speaking at the body’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, embraced Infantino with a large hug in front of the membership as he delivered his endorsement. Continue reading...The Guardian · 23 Oct, 08:37
• Infantino re-election hopes boosted by Asia supportGianni Infantino's hopes of being re-elected Fifa president are enhanced by an endorsement from the Asian Football Confederation.BBC Sport · 23 Oct, 07:48
• FIFA President Infantino’s re-election endorsed in U-turn by Asian footballSupport crucial from 47-nation AFC's president, who was critic of Gianni Infantino over failed private investment plan.Al Jazeera · 23 Oct, 07:11
• FIFA’s Infantino made to wait on Asian support as chief coy at AFC session'We’re not against anyone and we’re not in favour of anyone,' says AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 15:31

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

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