Infantino wins backing from all 54 African football associations
All 54 African member associations have pledged unconditional support for Gianni Infantino’s Fifa re-election bid, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe said. Infantino cited €920 million ($1 billion) invested in African football over 10 years through Fifa’s Forward programme and promised further funding; the vote is scheduled for 18 March in Rabat, according to The Guardian.
Bottom line — Infantino has 54 African associations behind him, while a potential challenger, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, plans to seek re-election.
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The Independent reports that Infantino made his case at a strategy conference in Cape Verde, attended by leaders representing more than a quarter of Fifa’s 211 voting delegates.
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Motsepe said the African associations’ support reflected Infantino’s record of backing the continent.
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The Independent says Fifa’s proposed sale of a financial stake in its tournaments was shelved after opposition, mostly from European and North American federations.
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The Guardian reports that Montagliani told Concacaf staff he intends to seek another term, ruling out a run for Fifa president.
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Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has also confirmed he will seek re-election, according to both outlets.
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The Guardian reports that Fifa’s council is expected to discuss an independent review of the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan and broader governance reforms.