CORNERFLICK
The Asian Football Confederation has backed Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president after criticism over his abandoned plan to open World Cup-related investments to private capital.
Support in Tokyo
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa made the position clear at an AFC meeting in Tokyo on Friday, saying Asia would support Infantino’s bid for a fourth and final term. The FIFA president, 56, was in attendance.
The AFC joined UEFA and Concacaf in August in criticising Infantino’s proposal, which was later dropped. That move drew calls for him to resign and cost him support from several national associations.
Election race taking shape
Sheikh Salman told Infantino that past disagreements should not be tied to the present campaign. He said football is at its strongest when people work together.
Infantino apologised last week for the failure of the plan and has led FIFA since 2016. He is preparing for the presidential election in March, with the nomination deadline set for 18 November.
No major rival has yet announced a candidacy, even as several large European federations have withdrawn their support amid wider controversy, including Infantino’s relationship with Donald Trump, the US president.