Infantino Stands Firm: Claims Strong Support Amid Controversy

In Baku for the FIFA Under-15 World Cup, Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, confidently claimed that he enjoys the support of the "vast, vast majority" in the football community. He dismissed inquiries about stepping down amid the fallout from the World Cup sell-off scandal, maintaining a defiant stance in a rare interview with BBC Sport. Infantino acknowledged the challenges of uniting varied perspectives, stating, "There is nothing bad in disagreeing." He pointed out that differing opinions are a natural part of any organization or country, emphasizing the need to move forward despite these differences. Just two months ago, Infantino faced increasing pressure to resign from the presidency he has held since 2016. Key figures from European football, including leaders from UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation, had signed a letter expressing their distrust in his leadership, accusing him of deception. UEFA recently demanded that FIFA provide all important documents related to the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal by November 2. UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis criticized FIFA for not addressing critical questions regarding the initiative. FFE, which Infantino scrapped shortly after its announcement, would have involved selling part of FIFA's commercial rights to a private investment firm. Following the backlash, Infantino has embarked on a global tour, visiting countries such as Morocco, Japan, and the Dominican Republic, and seems to have gained enough support to make his re-election for a fourth term likely. He has also proposed a significant increase in funding for football development, amounting to $3.4 billion (£2.6 billion). In his interview, he reflected on the backing he received from the Asian Football Confederation after a change of heart from its president, Sheikh Salman, as well as the endorsement from all African nations. However, just last week, he apologized to the FIFA Council for the communication issues surrounding FFE. During that meeting, Council members expressed concerns about his suitability for the presidency if he failed to provide the requested documents. When pressed for a timeline on when those documents would be available, Infantino was vague, stating they were navigating a "legal process" and that they were "working on it." "We’ll answer all the questions as far as the process allows," he affirmed. While at the Under-15 World Cup event, he acknowledged that FIFA has made mistakes but insisted they are trying their best. He also emphasized the need for more frequent dialogue with UEFA to mend their strained relationship. When asked directly if he felt fit for the presidency or if he had considered resigning, Infantino chuckled and reiterated that he was elected by 211 member associations worldwide. He stressed the importance of respecting the views of the majority while acknowledging the existence of diverse opinions. "It’s not always easy to bring them all under one roof," he said, "but we need to respect all opinions. Ultimately, it will be for the FIFA member associations to decide on their president and the direction of FIFA." Candidates for the March election must declare by November 18, and as of now, none have stepped forward to challenge Infantino, which could leave him running unopposed. Arriving in Baku for the Under-15 World Cup, Infantino noted the event's significance, featuring teams from 189 member associations. Notable nations like England, Spain, France, Argentina, and Brazil are participating, while Russia makes its first FIFA-sanctioned appearance since its teams were suspended in early 2022. This tournament is exclusively for boys, with a girls' tournament set for next year, and FIFA plans to host mixed competitions starting in 2028. Matches are played in an 8v8 format on smaller pitches, with 20-minute halves. Infantino expressed his excitement for the event, stating, "It's just beautiful to bring the world together at such a young age. In ten or twenty years, when these boys play in a World Cup, they'll remember that their first experience was here."