ROME (ITALPRESS) – A significant new endorsement for Gianni Infantino. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has announced that the AFC will support the Italian-Swiss official’s bid for re-election to the top post at FIFA.
The Bahraini executive—who was once considered a potential challenger to Infantino—had previously joined the opposition against a now-abandoned proposal, through which the current FIFA president sought to transfer the commercial rights for FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.
That project, known as “FIFA Forward Enterprise,” was immediately met with resistance from UEFA and CONCACAF, and Infantino has since apologized for it. In his opening address at the AFC extraordinary congress in Tokyo, Sheikh Salman confirmed his confederation’s support for Infantino.
“I believe we can reaffirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new term as FIFA president,” he stated, addressing the Italian-Swiss official, who was present at the extraordinary congress. Infantino is running for re-election in March, aiming for a fourth term that would keep him at the helm of world football until 2031. Any potential challengers have until November 18 to submit their own candidacies.
-Photo IPA Agency-
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