Infantino says he is backed by ‘vast majority’
Infantino says broad support remains despite Fifa controversy
Constantvpn.com – Gianni Infantino has insisted he continues to enjoy overwhelming support across world football, despite the recent dispute surrounding a proposed sale of Fifa commercial rights and renewed criticism from European football leaders.
Speaking in Baku, Azerbaijan, ahead of the first Fifa Under-15 World Cup, the Fifa president rejected suggestions that the controversy should force him to consider leaving office. Infantino laughed when asked whether he had thought about resigning, arguing that disagreement is normal within an organisation representing 211 member associations.
“There is nothing bad in disagreeing,” he said. “We see it every day in so many countries in the world. It's OK to disagree. It's OK to have different points of view, but then we need to be able to move on.”
The remarks follow a difficult period for the 55-year-old, who has led world football’s governing body since 2016. Two months earlier, he faced growing pressure after details emerged of the Fifa Forward Enterprise, or FFE, plan. The proposal would have involved selling part of Fifa’s commercial rights to a private investment company.
Infantino withdrew the idea within days, but the fallout has continued. Leaders from Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf signed a letter accusing him of damaging trust through what they described as deception. Concacaf oversees football in North and Central America.
Documents remain at the centre of the dispute
Uefa has continued to press Fifa for a full release of documents connected to FFE. It set a deadline of 2 November for the key material to be provided, with Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis saying several major questions remained unresolved.
At a Fifa Council meeting last week, Infantino apologised over the consultation and communication surrounding the proposal. Council members told him that he could not be considered suitable to remain president if he failed to disclose the requested papers, including the reasoning behind the commercial-rights plan.
When asked when those documents would be made available, Infantino did not offer a specific date. He said the matter had to proceed through a legal process and that work was continuing.
“We'll answer of course all the questions that are asked as far as the process allows, as far as we can,” he said.
His position is that the Fifa administration is attempting to act in the best interests of the organisation, while acknowledging that its handling of certain matters has fallen short.
“We’re doing as best we can,” he said, while accepting that there had been “some things which are maybe less good”.
Infantino also said dialogue with Uefa needs to happen more frequently. Relations between Fifa and Europe’s governing body have been strained by the FFE proposal, as well as wider questions about governance, consultation and the balance of influence between football’s confederations.
Regional endorsements strengthen election prospects
Although the dispute has created a public challenge to Infantino’s leadership, his prospects of securing another term appear strong. Since the letter of criticism was delivered, he has travelled to Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Cape Verde and Japan, seeking to reinforce support among national associations.
He pointed to endorsements from the Asian Football Confederation and African football nations as evidence that his backing remains substantial. The AFC’s support followed a change in position by its president, Sheikh Salman. Infantino has also proposed a $3.4bn increase in funding for football development worldwide, equivalent to about £2.6bn.
“Well you know I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world,” Infantino said.
He argued that the scale and diversity of Fifa membership means competing views should be expected, but that the organisation must also respect the position held by most associations.
“If we are serious about democracy, about the democratic process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to everyone, if we are serious about that, then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority.”
Infantino said he had recently received full backing from the Asian confederation in Tokyo and support from African member associations during his visit to Cape Verde. He added that he was continuing discussions with associations throughout the world.
For Fifa’s members, the issue is likely to remain focused on both accountability and representation. The FFE episode has raised concerns over how significant commercial proposals are developed and shared with the confederations and national associations that make up the organisation. At the same time, Infantino’s emphasis on votes from across the global game underlines the electoral system that will decide his future.
March election approaches
Candidates have until 18 November to confirm whether they will challenge Infantino in the presidential election scheduled for March. No rival candidate has filed so far, leaving open the possibility that he could seek a fourth term without opposition.
Infantino maintained that differing opinions do not make cooperation impossible and said all views should be treated with respect. Ultimately, he said, Fifa’s member associations will determine both who leads the organisation and how it should operate.
“There are different points of view. It’s not always easy to bring them all under one roof but we need to respect, and I do respect, all opinions, all views,” he said.
The coming weeks will show whether the continuing calls for documents and greater explanation over FFE develop into a formal electoral challenge. For now, Infantino is presenting the dispute as a serious disagreement within a global institution rather than a threat to his leadership.
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