Rabat: Six heads of Arab national football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, have declared their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, amidst turmoil within FIFA following a failed private investment initiative. Infantino, who is eyeing reelection next year, has been under pressure after UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF criticized his handling of a proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
According to TRTworld.com, Infantino had initially suggested selling 20 percent of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors to generate approximately $4.2 billion. However, he reversed this decision after facing significant backlash. In a joint statement, the leaders of the six federations emphasized the role of Arab football in fostering unity and cooperation, expressing their unwavering support for Infantino's leadership and dedication to global football development.
The statement was endorsed by key figures such as Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar and Hany Abo Rida of Egypt, along with heads of the Lebanese, Moroccan, Sudanese, and Mauritanian federations. Notably, four of these leaders, including Morocco's Fouzi Lekjaa and Mauritania's Ahmed Yahya, also serve on the FIFA Council.
"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," the statement read. The federations pledged continued collaboration with Infantino to enhance the future of world football and the Arab region's contribution to the global game.
Conversely, Ireland has withdrawn its support for Infantino. Following an FAI Board Meeting, the decision was made to retract a previously issued letter of support. Concerns about governance, transparency, and consultation processes were cited as reasons for this decision, despite appreciation for FIFA's support of Irish football.
Infantino's retracted proposal had included a $20 million grant for member associations, potentially doubling if the deal was signed. Despite the opposition from major confederations, which account for 136 of FIFA's 211 voting member associations, Infantino retains substantial backing. The support from the six Arab federations, many affiliated with the AFC, underscores that a unanimous voting bloc is improbable, given each federation's individual vote. Additionally, the Confederation of African Football has shown support for Infantino.
Infantino will require a simple majority of 106 votes if facing a single opponent in the upcoming election. Should there be more than two candidates, he would need a two-thirds majority, or 141 votes, in the first round.