CAPE TOWN : The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Executive Committee unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday, breaking with Europe, North America and parts of Asia as the Swiss-Italian seeks re-election next year.
The endorsement came on the same day UEFA reiterated its commitment to boycott future FIFA World Cups for as long as Infantino remains in office, highlighting the widening divide within world football following the collapse of FIFA’s proposed World Cup stake sale.
CAF, which represents 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, has been a key source of support for Infantino since he became FIFA president in 2016 and remains one of the most influential voting blocs ahead of the presidential election in March.
“The CAF EXCO unanimously reconfirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and thanked him for his support for African football over the years,” CAF said in a statement.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe welcomed FIFA’s commitment to review the decision-making process that led to the abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup, a plan that triggered the biggest governance crisis of Infantino’s presidency after national federations complained they had not been properly consulted.
Motsepe said the review should strengthen governance and consultation within world football.
CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco, along with FIFA Council members Hany Abo Rida of Egypt, Hamidou Djibrilla of Niger and Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania, also publicly pledged their support for Infantino.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, the recently elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Federation and former CAF general secretary, likewise backed the FIFA chief.
Days before the controversy over the World Cup investment proposal erupted, Motsepe had praised Infantino’s leadership and relationship with African football.
“I personally support Gianni Infantino,” Motsepe said. “He’s not just a good friend. He’s a loyal friend. He’s loyal to Africa. I come from a background where when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back.”
