Infantino strikes back with Arab football backing as FIFA revolt grows

Six Arab football federations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino on August 13, as the governing body faces a growing crisis following the collapse of a controversial private investment plan.

Infantino, who is seeking reelection next year, has come under mounting pressure after three confederations — UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF — criticised his conduct and called on him to resign over his failed attempt to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

The Swiss administrator had proposed separating the commercial rights to the World Cup and selling a 20% stake to private investors in a bid to raise around $4.2 billion. He later withdrew the plan following widespread backlash.

“Recognising the important role of Arab football in bringing people together and strengthening cooperation among football associations across the Arab world, we ... express our full support for Mr Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and continued commitment to the development of football worldwide,” the heads of the six federations said in a joint statement.

The statement was signed by Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, as well as Hany Abo Rida, head of the Egyptian Football Association, and the presidents of the Lebanese, Moroccan, Sudanese and Mauritanian federations.

“We deeply appreciate Mr Infantino’s sustained efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game’s role in bringing people and communities together,” they said.

Infantino’s withdrawn proposal included a $20 million grant for member associations under the next funding cycle, with the amount potentially doubling if they agreed to the deal.

Following a crisis meeting in Morocco last week, FIFA apologised to its 211 member associations for mistakes in the way the proposal had been handled and said its leadership had the full support of Infantino.

Despite opposition from the three confederations, which together represent 136 of the 211 member associations eligible to vote in the FIFA presidential election in March, Infantino continues to have significant support within the football community.

The backing from the six national federations, many of them members of the AFC, highlights how unlikely block voting is to be, even though the confederations themselves have taken a firm stance. Each national federation holds one vote in the election. The Confederation of African Football has also expressed its support for Infantino.

By Jeyhun Aghazada