Infantino re-election hopes boosted by Asia support

Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s chances of securing another term have been strengthened by the Asian Football Confederation’s public endorsement. Its president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, pledged support at a congress in Tokyo, despite having criticised Infantino’s proposed World Cup investment scheme just two months earlier.

Sheikh Salman said the earlier disagreements had been discussed and that Asian members were united behind Infantino. The election is due in Rabat in March, and Infantino could run unopposed if no challenger registers by 18 November. Asia has 46 votes; Infantino also has support in Africa and South America, while Uefa has demanded governance documents from Fifa by 2 November.