FIFA’s Infantino touts global re-election support amid resignation questions

FIFA president Gianni Infantino laughed off questions regarding whether he had considered resigning after the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, pointing to overwhelming backing from member associations around the globe.

Key points

• Infantino is seeking a fourth term until 2031, and potential candidates must submit their nominations by November 18.
• I'm just coming back off Tokyo where the Asian Football Confederation has fully endorsed me.
• Nevertheless, the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator went on: It's OK to disagree.
• But a divided CONCACAF and the AFC's U-turn have left Europe increasingly isolated while exposing the lack of a viable alternative candidate for the FIFA presidency.
• I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world.

Three months after facing calls to resign after he abandoned the proposal that sought private investment in a new entity controlling commercial rights linked to major FIFA competitions, Infantino now finds himself in a position of strength.

His prospects for re-election strengthened on Friday after the head of Asian football endorsed him for a fourth term, with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa saying Asia was united behind Infantino.

"I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world. I think what is significant is that in an organisation like FIFA, there can be different views, different points of view, " Infantino informed the BBC as he laughed off a question regarding whether he had considered stepping down.

But if we are serious regarding democracy, concerning the democratic process, regarding believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to everyone. Then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority.

"I'm just coming back off Tokyo where the Asian Football Confederation has fully endorsed me. I was in Cape Verde where all African countries have endorsed me. I'm speaking to all associations everywhere in the world."

For context, the AFC had previously joined European body UEFA and CONCACAF. It represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, in criticising the FFE proposal.

He apologised at a FIFA Council session in Zurich last week for the way the FFE proposal was handled, but that did not sway European football associations, such as Germany and England.

Nevertheless, the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator went on: It's OK to disagree. But then we need to be able to move on.

"There are different points of view. It's not always straightforward to bring them all under one roof, but we need to respect, and I do respect all opinions all views, " Infantino went on.

"Then, it will be up to the FIFA member associations to decide who they want as a president and how they want FIFA to be run."

Taken together, the developments around fIFA's Infantino touts global re-election support amid resignation questions point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.