Gianni Infantino’s push for a fourth term as FIFA president received a significant boost after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, publicly pledged his support.
Sheikh Salman made the announcement at the AFC Congress in Tokyo, Japan, with Infantino in attendance. The endorsement marks a reversal, coming just two months after he joined the heads of UEFA and Concacaf in criticising the FIFA boss over a failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
“We reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you as you seek a new mandate as president,” he told delegates.
He said it was time for football leaders to set aside their differences and move forward, adding that he had consulted widely among members on the continent.
“Yes, we had some issues, we spoke about them in the past, but let’s not relate the two things together,” Sheikh Salman said. “As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni.”
The AFC chief had co-signed a joint letter with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme. The three bodies accused Infantino of undermining trust “through deception” and described the proposal as “a profound failure of judgement.”
The latest endorsement could strengthen Infantino’s position ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco, particularly given his support base in Africa and South America.
Voting strength at the election is spread as follows: UEFA, 55 votes; Africa, 54; Asia, 46; Concacaf, 35; Oceania, 11; and CONMEBOL, 10.
Candidates wishing to challenge Infantino have until November 18 to declare. So far, none has formally entered the race, raising the possibility that the incumbent could run unopposed. Montagliani and Ceferin, both seen as potential challengers, have said they are not candidates.
Infantino praised Sheikh Salman’s 13-year leadership of Asian football and pledged continued FIFA support for the AFC.
“You’ve been doing a fantastic job in AFC in the last 13 years, my dear Salman,” he said. “And always, always with my full support, with the partnership of FIFA.”
Asked about the endorsement, he said he felt “great” about the AFC’s backing.
The development follows Infantino’s apology at a FIFA Council meeting last week over the World Cup investment plan, though he did not fully explain how the proposal was developed. He also proposed raising funding for global football development by $3.4bn (£2.6bn).
Meanwhile, UEFA has demanded that FIFA release key documents and answer questions on its governance and decision-making by November 2.
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