Gianni Infantino appears poised to be re-elected as Fifa president without facing a serious challenge. With 40 days to go until the nomination deadline, senior figures in world football believe the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian may well be unopposed. Infantino has been touring the world, cementing his position, and has garnered significant support from various football associations. His Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal had sparked controversy, but it seems to have galvanized support for him.
Infantino's Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal had been seen as a vulnerability, but he has managed to turn it around. The proposal to sell off commercial rights in the World Cup to a private equity firm had sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Uefa. However, Infantino has been able to rally support from other parts of the world, including Africa, South America, and Oceania. This has put him in a strong position, with roughly half of Fifa's 211 members backing him.
Uefa had hoped to find a challenger to Infantino, but so far, no one has come forward. Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, had been seen as a potential opponent, but he has announced that he will stand for re-election with Concacaf, ending speculation about a possible challenge. The only person to have put themselves forward to stand against Infantino is Ramon Vega, the former Tottenham and Switzerland defender, but it seems unlikely that he will get the required five letters from the 211 member associations to back his candidacy.
Infantino's funding model has been a key factor in his success. He has invested heavily in African football, and the 54 African nations have pledged their unconditional support. This has not only bought votes but also loyalty, making it difficult for his opponents to challenge him. Infantino has told delegates that Fifa has invested $1bn in Africa over the past 10 years, and this has helped to secure his position.
Uefa is still hoping to find a way to challenge Infantino, but it faces significant obstacles. The organization has lodged claims in three US courts in an attempt to procure documents related to FFE, and if those papers include anything incriminating, Uefa intends to pursue "criminal mismanagement" through the Swiss courts. However, even if Infantino does not have an opponent at the ballot box, the battle looks set to continue among the lawyers well into next year.
Infantino's opponents are finding it difficult to challenge him due to the power of the position. Fifa has only had five presidents in the past 65 years, and only once has an incumbent lost an election. When Sepp Blatter resigned in 2015, he did so just eight days after winning re-election. Infantino's position seems secure, and it will take significant evidence of wrongdoing to force him out.
The Fifa Congress is set to take place in Rabat on March 18, and it seems likely that Infantino will be re-elected without a challenge. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has been unrelenting in his campaign to replace Infantino, but it seems that Infantino's support from around the world will be enough to secure his position. The battle may continue among the lawyers, but for now, it seems that Infantino is set to remain as Fifa president.
Key points
- Infantino's funding model has helped him secure support from African football associations.
- Uefa is still hoping to find a way to challenge Infantino through the courts.
- Infantino's position seems secure due to the power of the Fifa presidency.
