Infantino secures Asian backing for fourth FIFA term after FFE failure

Gianni Infantino has secured a critical endorsement from the Asian Football Confederation, strengthening his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the AFC, announced on Friday that the confederation stands united behind Infantino. This shift places the president in a stronger position following the collapse of his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

The FFE plan aimed to sell commercial rights to major competitions to private investors. Infantino abandoned the scheme after facing intense criticism and calls for his resignation roughly three months ago. The AFC previously joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the proposal. However, internal divisions within CONCACAF and the recent change in stance by the AFC have left European bodies increasingly isolated in their opposition.

Infantino addressed his standing during a BBC interview, where he laughed when asked if he had considered stepping down. He cited the support of 211 member associations as proof of his mandate. "I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world," he stated. He argued that any democratic process must respect the views of the "vast, vast majority," even if minority groups hold different points of view.

The president noted that he recently returned from Tokyo, where the AFC formalized its support, and Cape Verde, where African nations expressed similar backing. He said he is currently in discussions with associations across the globe. His re-election campaign targets a term extending to 2031. Potential challengers must submit their nominations by November 18, a deadline that looms as no viable alternative candidate has emerged.

Infantino apologized during a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week for the handling of the FFE proposal. That gesture failed to convince European football associations, particularly those of Germany and England, who remain skeptical of his leadership. Despite the lingering tension, Infantino struck a conciliatory tone in his recent comments. "It's OK to disagree," he said, "but then we need to be able to move on." He emphasized that member associations will ultimately decide who leads the organization.