The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially thrown its weight behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino, endorsing his leadership and re-election bid following a consultation meeting with its member associations. The move comes amid intense scrutiny over the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative and mounting pressure from European football authorities.
What Sparked the Controversy?
The controversy centers on FIFA's Forward Enterprise program, under which Infantino's administration proposed selling stakes in the FIFA World Cup. The proposal drew sharp opposition from several confederations and attracted significant media attention, leading FIFA to abandon the initiative before CAF's scheduled review meeting.
Despite FIFA dropping the proposal, critics escalated their demands, calling for Infantino to resign ahead of the next FIFA election cycle. According to The Athletic, UEFA even threatened to boycott the World Cup should Infantino remain in charge. However, the Swiss administrator rejected resignation calls and indicated no intention of withdrawing from the re-election race.
CAF's Unanimous Endorsement
Following its consultation, CAF's executive committee (EXCO) released a statement firmly supporting the current FIFA leadership. The body said its members unanimously backed Infantino's re-election bid and expressed appreciation for his contributions to African football development.
“The CAF EXCO also unanimously reconfirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and thanked him for his support for African Football over the years,” a part of the statement reads. This position places CAF squarely in Infantino's corner at a time when his standing in global football governance faces considerable scrutiny, particularly from European authorities.
FIFA Denies World Cup Final Offer to Morocco
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported that FIFA denied claims that Infantino offered Morocco the 2030 World Cup final to gain support. Portugal, Spain, and Morocco are joint hosts for the tournament, with the host city and stadium yet to be decided. Santiago Bernabeu remains the frontrunner to host the final.
