FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received a major boost ahead of the March presidential election after all 54 African member associations pledged their unconditional backing, while he promised that further funding and support would be directed towards football across the continent.
Key takeaways
- All 54 Confederation of African Football member associations have agreed to support Infantino’s re-election bid.
- The FIFA chief addressed African football leaders at a strategy symposium in Cape Verde.
- FIFA says it has invested $1 billion in Africa through 124 projects since 2016.
- Former Switzerland international Ramon Vega plans to challenge Infantino in the presidential contest.
- Infantino has vowed to seek additional resources to help African football reach the highest level.
African backing strengthens Infantino’s position
Infantino spoke to association presidents at the Cape Verde gathering, described as African football’s first strategic symposium of its kind. The event gave him an opportunity to address representatives accounting for more than a quarter of the 211 votes in the FIFA election.
The support arrives after Infantino was forced to abandon a disputed proposal earlier this year to sell a stake in FIFA competitions. The plan drew opposition largely from European and North American countries, with several of those nations no longer backing him for the presidential vote next year.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe told the delegates that the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian would have the continent fully behind him.
“The 54 CAF member associations have unanimously decided to give Gianni their unconditional support as FIFA president,” Motsepe said. “That reflects his record and the assistance he has provided to African football.”
The announcement followed former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega’s statement on Wednesday that he intends to run against Infantino in next year’s FIFA presidential election.
Another possible high-profile challenger was effectively removed from consideration on Thursday, when UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed he would pursue a further term at the helm of European football’s governing body.
FIFA pledges continued investment
Earlier on Thursday, Infantino highlighted the money FIFA has provided to African football since he first became president in 2016.
“As FIFA president, I am proud that, together with you, I have played a small role in this transformation of African football over the past decade,” Infantino said. “Through the FIFA Forward programme, we have put $1 billion into Africa in 10 years, covering 124 separate projects as well as many other initiatives.”
Without specifically mentioning the abandoned tournament-stake proposal, Infantino said FIFA wanted to engage openly whenever concerns emerged.
“On any journey, issues can sometimes be brought forward,” he said. “When that happens, they must be dealt with. At FIFA, we do so through dialogue, with open arms, an open heart and an open mind. There is always room to improve and to do more.”
Infantino again underlined his commitment to Africa, insisting that FIFA’s investment in the continent would continue.
“Our aim is to ensure your football keeps developing, keeps growing and creates more opportunities,” he said. “Having 10 countries at the last World Cup was a success for the whole continent.”
“We must keep moving forward together, because CAF must tell us what it needs and how we can help make it stronger and better.
“We will keep searching for the funding and the necessary increases in investment to lift the African game to the summit of world football.”
