Africa Calls for Election to Decide FIFA President Infantino's Future
Al Jazeera English
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future should be decided via elections, as Ireland's FAI withdrew its support. The call comes amid growing criticism over a scrapped World Cup stake sale plan.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe said FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future should be decided only through elections, after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) became the latest body to withdraw support for the embattled leader.
Infantino is facing intense criticism over plans to sell stakes in World Cups to private investors, a proposal that was scrapped midway. European (UEFA), North and Central American (CONCACAF), and Asian (AFC) football federations issued a joint letter earlier this week, alleging that "trust has been broken by deceit, as an individual placed himself above the collective that had empowered him."
Observers suggest these federations want Infantino to step down before he can seek re-election next March. However, Motsepe, who is also a FIFA vice president, stressed that Infantino's fate should be decided at the ballot box.
"If anyone has a problem with anyone, whether it's Gianni or anyone else, follow the process, follow FIFA's process, it's as simple as that. If you want to remove him, hold elections; let the 211 member associations decide. Then the vote will show whether they have confidence in him or not," Motsepe said on Sky News on Thursday.
"We must be careful. Elections will take place next year. Shouldn't we let that process continue?"
Motsepe was in Salzburg, Austria, for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup to hold talks with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. UEFA is threatening to boycott the World Cup and Club World Cup in protest over Infantino's plans.
"I've heard many stories about various issues, and I'm cautious about passing judgment on anything. Everyone has the right to be heard. Let there be a proper hearing and a proper forum," Motsepe said.
CAF has previously expressed support for Infantino. Motsepe insisted there were no regulatory violations in the World Cup stake sale discussions, as proposals would be submitted to FIFA members for final approval.
"There are many thorny and negative issues that need to be overcome. But he apologized and said perhaps there could have been another way to do these things, but we are also listening to opinions," Motsepe added.
Despite this, the wave of criticism against Infantino shows no sign of cooling. On Thursday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) became the latest FIFA member to withdraw its support.
"Following an FAI Board meeting, we decided to withdraw the letter of support the Association had sent earlier this year. We have written to FIFA to explain the reasons. The Association values the support FIFA has given to Irish football, but recent events have raised significant concerns about governance, transparency, and a lack of meaningful consultation," the FAI statement said.
The English Football Association (FA) and the Football Association of Wales had previously also withdrawn support for the 56-year-old Swiss official. Meanwhile, six Arab federations, including Qatar, Morocco, and Egypt, voiced support for Infantino earlier the same day.
