Infantino Gets Major FIFA Election Boost as Asian Football Confederation Backs Fourth Term

Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president has been given a big lift after the head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said he will back him.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa made the pledge at the confederation's Congress in Tokyo, which Infantino attended. "We reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you as you seek a new mandate as president," he said.

The move is a major u-turn. Just two months ago, Sheikh Salman signed a joint letter with the heads of UEFA and Concacaf that criticised Infantino over his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. 

The three confederations said Infantino had broken trust "through deception" over the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme. They also spoke of "a profound failure of judgement...these are not the qualities football deserves in its leadership."

In Tokyo, though, Sheikh Salman said it was time to move on. "I've spoken to a lot of members within this continent. I know your feeling and I think your commitment is clear as well. Your support to Gianni is very clear," he said.

He added: "Yes, we had some issues, we spoke about them in the past, but let's not relate the two things together...

"As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni."

The endorsement looks like a blow to the push against Infantino. Along with his strong base in Africa and South America, Asia's backing could be key to him winning a fourth and final term. At the election in Rabat in March, UEFA will have 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11 and Conmebol 10.

Infantino was happy to return the favour. "You've been doing a fantastic job in AFC in the last 13 years, my dear Salman," he told delegates. 

"You will do fantastically as well for the next how many years you want. And always, always with my full support, with the partnership of FIFA, because we have seen what we have been doing in the last years."

Asked about the endorsement later, he said: "I feel great about the AFC's support."

Candidates have until 18 November to say they will stand against Infantino, but nobody has filed yet and he could run unopposed. Possible rivals such as Concacaf president Victor Montagliani and UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin have made it known they will not run.

Infantino is still under pressure, though. At a FIFA Council meeting last week, he apologised for the World Cup sell-off plan but did not fully explain how it came about. 

He also proposed to raise the money given out for football development around the world by $3.4bn (£2.6bn). UEFA has since told FIFA it must release key documents and answer all questions on its governance and decision-making by 2 November.