Asian Football Confederation endorses Gianni Infantino

Gianni Infantino secured a major political boost on Friday when the Asian Football Confederation officially endorsed his bid for another term as FIFA president during an extraordinary congress in Tokyo. The endorsement marks a sharp reversal from August, when the AFC joined European and North American governing bodies in condemning Infantino’s handling of a scrapped plan to sell private stakes in FIFA tournaments.

Speaking to the AFC membership, confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa embraced Infantino and declared that the Asian game’s remarkable journey is rooted in trust and shared vision. Sheikh Salman acknowledged past disagreements but urged delegates to separate those issues from their current stance, telling the congress that solidarity remains the organization’s greatest strength.

Growing Opposition Among European Associations

While Infantino has consolidated his support across Asia and Africa, significant opposition remains anchored in Europe. UEFA stated in August that it had lost confidence in FIFA leadership over the private investor scheme and pledged to identify a credible alternative candidate. Several national associations, including the English FA, the Scottish FA, and the Football Association of Ireland, have withdrawn their support for the incumbent president, according to The Independent.

Earlier this week, UEFA sent a letter to FIFA pressing for detailed answers on several governance matters. The inquiry covers the private investor plan, the handling of the Folarin Balogun case, the World Cup final half-time show, and the implementation of hydration breaks during the tournament. FIFA Council members also confronted Infantino in Zurich over documentation regarding the financial rationale behind the proposal.

FIFA President Apologizes for Past Communication Failures

Addressing the FIFA Council in Zurich last week, Infantino offered an apology for mistakes made in communication and consultation regarding the now-abandoned $4.2bn plan to sell chunks of the World Cup to private investors. Council members warned during that meeting that transparency regarding requested documents was vital for leadership fitness, though Infantino declined to give a direct timeline for releasing the papers, citing an ongoing legal process.

When asked by the BBC if he had considered standing down from his post, Infantino laughed off the question and emphasized his democratic mandate from 211 member associations worldwide. “If we are serious about democracy, about the democratic process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to everyone, if we are serious about that, then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority,” Infantino said.

Candidates Must Confirm Standing Against Infantino by November 18

The official deadline for candidates to confirm they are standing against Infantino in the next election is November 18. While European federations continue discussions to field an opposing candidate, no challenger has officially filed papers to contest the presidency as of Friday.

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