Infantino claims 211 votes after Asian confederation endorses fourth term

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated on Friday that he holds the support of 211 member associations as he prepares for a fourth term. He made the remarks during a BBC interview, where he laughed when asked if he had considered resigning from his post. The number represents a substantial majority within the global football body and underscores his current standing following recent political shifts.

Infantino's position strengthened after Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, publicly endorsed the Swiss-Italian leader. Sheikh Salman declared that the Asian bloc was united behind Infantino for a term that would extend until 2031. This endorsement follows a similar pledge from African nations, which Infantino confirmed after returning from Cape Verde. He noted that he is currently in discussions with associations across the globe to secure further support.

The controversy surrounding Infantino's leadership intensified about three months ago after he abandoned the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. The plan aimed to bring private investment into a new entity controlling commercial rights for major FIFA competitions. The failure of the initiative led to calls for his resignation and divided the football world. European bodies, including UEFA and CONCACAF, initially criticized the proposal, but the situation has since changed.

The Asian confederation had previously joined those critics, but its recent reversal has left Europe increasingly isolated in its opposition. A split within CONCACAF has further complicated the European stance. These developments have also revealed a lack of a clear alternative candidate for the FIFA presidency. Nominations for the upcoming election are due by November 18, and Infantino remains the frontrunner.

During a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week, Infantino apologized for the handling of the FFE proposal. The gesture did not immediately satisfy European associations, with Germany and England among those remaining critical. Despite the ongoing tensions, Infantino maintained a conciliatory tone in his recent comments. He acknowledged that bringing differing views together is difficult but emphasized the need to move forward.

Infantino argued that in an organization based on democracy, every nation has an equal vote. He stated that those who value this principle must respect the views of the vast majority of members. He concluded by leaving the decision to the member associations, who will determine both the next president and the direction of the organization.