FIFA president Gianni Infantino laughed off resignation calls and confirmed he will seek a fourth term. He got strong support from Asian and African football bodies despite the collapse of his proposal. "I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world," he said, defending his democratic mandate.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has laughed off calls for his resignation following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, pointing to support from member associations as he prepares to seek a fourth term in office.
Infantino faced calls to step down three months ago after abandoning the proposal, which sought private investment in a new entity that would control commercial rights linked to major FIFA competitions. His position has since improved, with key regional football bodies backing his re-election bid.
On Friday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa endorsed Infantino for another term, saying Asia stood united behind him.
Asked by the BBC whether he had considered resigning, Infantino laughed off the suggestion and pointed to his election mandate.
"I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world. I think what is important is that in an organisation like FIFA, there can be different views, different points of view," he said.
"But if we are serious about democracy, about the democratic process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, about football belonging to everyone, then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority."
Infantino also cited the backing he had received during recent visits to Asia and Africa.
"I'm just coming back off Tokyo where the Asian Football Confederation has fully endorsed me. I was in Cape Verde where all African countries have endorsed me. I'm speaking to all associations everywhere in the world," he added.
INFANTINO'S RE-ELECTION BID GATHERS PACE
The AFC's backing is notable given that it had earlier joined European governing body UEFA and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, in criticising the FFE proposal.
The proposal's collapse exposed divisions within FIFA, but the latest developments have left European football increasingly isolated. CONCACAF remains divided, while no clear alternative to Infantino has emerged.
Infantino is seeking a fourth term that would keep him in office until 2031. Candidates have until November 18 to submit their nominations.
The 56-year-old Swiss-Italian apologised at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week over the way the FFE proposal was handled. However, the apology did little to change the position of several European associations, including Germany and England.
Infantino acknowledged that disagreements were inevitable but said FIFA needed to move forward.
"It's OK to disagree ... but then we need to be able to move on," he said.
"There are different points of view. It's not always easy to bring them all under one roof, but we need to respect and I do respect all opinions, all views."
He insisted that the decision on FIFA's leadership would ultimately rest with its member associations.
"Then it will be up to the FIFA member associations to decide who they want as a president and how they want FIFA to be run," Infantino said.