By Adegboyega Adeleye
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has yet to declare whether it will support or oppose Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president, leaving Asia’s 47 member associations potentially decisive in the March 2027 contest.
According to ESPN, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa gave no clear indication of the continental body’s position while addressing the close of a two-day meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.
The Asian bloc could prove influential in the election, with Infantino facing opposition in Europe, strong backing in Africa and uncertainty over how Asian members will vote.
“For people who try to divide us this is not going to happen,” Sheikh Salman said, insisting the organisation would act in the best interests of football rather than align itself with any individual.
“We’re not against anyone and we’re not in favour of anyone. We’re always going to express our feelings and try to do what’s best and what’s right for football. Not just in Asia,” he added.
The position marks a shift from just over two months ago, when the Asian confederation joined football governing bodies in Europe, North and Central America in accusing Infantino of a “fundamental breach of trust”.
However, Asia remains divided over the FIFA president’s leadership, with Qatar, host of the 2022 World Cup, backing him, while Jordan has declared its opposition.
Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president, with prospective challengers required to submit their nominations by November 18. No opponent had emerged at the time of the report.
The FIFA president has also faced criticism over a now-abandoned $4.2 billion proposal to transfer part of FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights to a private investment firm.
Infantino apologised to FIFA’s 37-member Council in Zurich last week for mistakes made in handling the proposal, which drew calls for greater transparency.
An Associated Press tally cited in the report indicated that 87 of FIFA’s 211 member associations had expressed support for Infantino, either individually or through statements issued by their regional confederations.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Salman acknowledged that political and economic developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East, continued to affect football across the region.
The Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia is scheduled to be held from January 7 to February 5, with 24 teams expected to compete in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar despite security concerns linked to regional hostilities.
Tournament organisers said they were monitoring developments and working with the AFC to ensure the competition could proceed as planned.
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