FIFA President Gianni Infantino received a major boost to his reelection campaign on Thursday when all 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) pledged their unconditional support for his bid to stay on as president in next March's vote. In return, Infantino promised further resources for the continent.
Infantino made the pledge while addressing CAF presidents at a conference in Cape Verde, described as a first-of-its-kind strategy symposium for African football. The gathering gave him a platform to speak directly to leaders representing more than a quarter of the 211 voters who will decide the FIFA presidency.
The African backing comes after Infantino had to shelve a controversial plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments earlier this year, following a backlash from mostly European and North American football nations, many of which have since withdrawn their support for him ahead of the election.
Denmark's football association was among those to turn away from Infantino over the plan. In August, the DBU said its confidence in him was gone, pointing to the aborted scheme to sell commercial stakes in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup itself, as the trigger for its break with his leadership.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe left no ambiguity about where Africa stands. "There is a unanimous decision by the 54 CAF member associations to unconditionally support Gianni as president of FIFA," he told delegates at the conference. "This is because of the history and the support that Gianni has given to African football."
Rivals Enter and Exit the Race
The CAF endorsement arrived shortly after former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega said on Wednesday that he intends to stand against fellow Swiss Infantino in next year's presidential election. On Thursday, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said he will seek another term as head of European football's governing body, a decision that removes one of the highest-profile figures from the list of potential challengers to Infantino.
Infantino Points to FIFA's Investment in Africa
Earlier on Thursday, Infantino reminded the CAF presidents of FIFA's financial contribution to African football since his election in 2016. "As FIFA president, I am proud to have contributed with you a little bit in this revolution in the last 10 years," he said. "With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions."
Without directly referring to the failed stake-sale plan, Infantino spoke of wanting open dialogue on points of disagreement. "When you go through a journey, sometimes concerns are raised," he said. "When they are raised, we have to address them. As far as we are concerned at FIFA, we address them always with the spirit of dialogue and with open arms, an open heart and an open mind. We can always be better and do better."
He reiterated his support for Africa and FIFA's continued investment in the continent. "Our commitment is to make sure that your football is going to continue to improve and grow, give you more opportunities. Ten countries at the (last) World Cup has been a success for the entire continent," he said. "We need to continue together on this path, because it is up to you as CAF to tell us what you want. How we can make you stronger and better. We will continue to look for the resources and the increases (in funding) that are necessary to boost the African game to the top of world football."
