Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth and final term as Fifa president has been strengthened after Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa publicly endorsed his candidacy.
Speaking at the AFC Congress in Tokyo, attended by Infantino, Sheikh Salman said: “We reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you as you seek a new mandate as president.”
The declaration marks a significant change in position. Just two months ago, Sheikh Salman signed a joint letter with the heads of Uefa and Concacaf criticising Infantino over his unsuccessful proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The three confederations accused Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” in relation to the Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme. They also described the proposal as “a profound failure of judgement…these are not the qualities football deserves in its leadership.”
However, Sheikh Salman told delegates in Japan that the dispute should now be put aside and that it was time “to move forward”.
“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.
“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 backing could prove important alongside Infantino’s established support in Africa and South America. The election will take place in Rabat in March, with Uefa holding 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11 and Conmebol 10.
Candidates who want to challenge Infantino have until 18 November to confirm they are standing. No rival has yet filed an application, meaning Infantino could be elected unopposed.
Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, and Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin have both indicated they are not candidates.
Addressing the AFC delegates, Infantino praised Sheikh Salman’s leadership and reaffirmed the relationship between Fifa and the continental confederation.
“You’ve been doing a fantastic job in AFC in the last 13 years, my dear Salman,” Infantino said.
“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 afterwards about Sheikh Salman’s endorsement, Infantino said: “I feel great about the AFC’s support.”
At a meeting of the Fifa Council last week, Infantino apologised for his World Cup sell-off plan but did not provide a full explanation of how it had been developed.
He also proposed increasing global football development funding by $3.4bn (£2.6bn).
Uefa has since demanded that Fifa publish key documents and respond to all questions concerning its governance and decision-making by 2 November.
