The Arab Football Union, which represents 22 Arab football associations, has announced its support for Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, ahead of his re-election bid. This decision was made during a meeting of the union's board of directors, which was held in Jeddah on Thursday. The meeting was attended by presidents of Arab football associations, including those from Qatar and Morocco, which are set to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Infantino is seeking re-election as FIFA president in March, but faces growing opposition. In July, he faced criticism for attempting to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, but was forced to abandon the plan. The Arab Football Union's support for Infantino comes after the Gulf Football Association, which represents eight national associations, also expressed its backing for him on Tuesday.
The Union's statement, released after the board meeting, welcomed FIFA's efforts to promote cooperation with national, regional, and continental football bodies. The Arab Football Union praised Infantino for strengthening the unity of the global football community. This move is seen as a significant boost to Infantino's re-election bid.
However, not all football associations are in support of Infantino. The Swiss Football Association recently became the latest to withdraw its support for his re-election bid. The European Football Union (UEFA) has also pledged to present a rival candidate before the deadline in November. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has publicly criticized Infantino.
In an attempt to address concerns, Infantino recently proposed an independent review of FIFA's decision-making processes. He sent a letter to the 211 member associations of FIFA, suggesting a review of the organization's governance. This move is seen as an effort to increase transparency and address criticisms.
The Arab Football Union's support for Infantino is significant, given the growing opposition to his re-election bid. The union's backing is likely to be seen as a boost to Infantino's campaign. The re-election of the FIFA president is set to take place in March, and it remains to be seen who will emerge as the successful candidate.
The controversy surrounding Infantino's re-election bid has sparked debate about the governance of FIFA. Critics have accused Infantino of attempting to consolidate power and undermine the organization's governance structures. The outcome of the re-election bid will have significant implications for the future of football globally.
Key points
- The Arab Football Union has expressed its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election bid for FIFA president.
- Infantino faces growing opposition to his re-election bid, including from UEFA.
- The re-election of the FIFA president is set to take place in March.
