African football lines up behind Infantino
All 54 federations will back the FIFA president for another term, Patrice Motsepe says, as support for him weakens in Europe.
Sal, Cape Verde — Africa's football federations have resolved unanimously to support Gianni Infantino for another term as president of FIFA, the head of the Confederation of African Football says, according to Radio France Internationale.
"We took a resolution, unanimous that we support him and we will stand by him for the next elections," Patrice Motsepe told delegates from the confederation's 54 member federations on Thursday, at a strategy meeting on the Cape Verdean island of Sal.
The election is on 18 March in Rabat, Morocco.
Why it matters
Africa's 54 votes are one of the largest blocs in the election, and its backing comes as Infantino loses ground elsewhere.
He has been criticised by federations in Europe, Asia and North America over a failed plan to create a commercial company to run FIFA's biggest tournaments. France's federation withdrew its support in September. Switzerland's followed this month, citing concern that FIFA had let the US president, Donald Trump, interfere in the World Cup.
Infantino, 56, has led FIFA since 2016. He keeps the support of Saudi Arabia, which hosts the 2034 World Cup, and of the South American confederation.
The field
The only declared challenger is Ramon Vega, a former Swiss international.
Victor Montagliani, who leads the confederation for North and Central America, is reported to have told staff he will seek another term there, which would all but rule him out. The president of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, ruled himself out last month.
Candidates have until 18 November to declare.
This report is based on reporting by Radio France Internationale, published by AllAfrica.
