FIFA Leadership: Asian Confed Backs Infantino's Fourth Term

Gianni Infantino told the BBC on Friday that he has the backing of 211 member associations for his fourth term as FIFA president. He made the claim while laughing at a question about whether he considered resigning after the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

The FFE plan sought private investment to control commercial rights for major competitions. Infantino abandoned the idea about three months ago, a move that triggered calls for him to step down. He now says he is in a position of strength.

Support for the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator solidified this week when Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, endorsed him. Sheikh Salman stated that Asia is united behind Infantino.

The Asian confederation previously joined European body UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing the FFE proposal. That bloc has since fractured. CONCACAF is divided, and the AFC has changed course. This shift has left European associations, including those from Germany and England, increasingly isolated in their opposition.

Infantino said he returned from Tokyo, where the AFC endorsed him, and from Cape Verde, where all African countries did the same. He noted that he is speaking with associations around the world. He argued that while different views exist, a democracy must respect the views of the vast majority.

At a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week, Infantino apologized for how the FFE proposal was handled. He said it is okay to disagree but that the group needs to move on. He acknowledged that bringing differing views under one roof is not always easy.

Nominations for the FIFA presidency are due by November 18. The next term would run until 2031. Infantino said it will be up to member associations to decide who leads the organization and how it operates.