Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as Fifa president has received a major boost after the leader of the Asian Football Confederation publicly backed him.
Speaking at the confederation’s Congress in Tokyo, attended by Infantino, President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said the organisation remained fully committed to supporting his campaign for a new presidential mandate.
The endorsement marks a notable reversal for Sheikh Salman, who only two months earlier joined the leaders of Uefa and Concacaf in criticising Infantino’s unsuccessful proposal to sell private investors stakes connected to the World Cup.
At that point, the three regional bodies claimed that trust had been damaged by misleading conduct surrounding the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.
However, Sheikh Salman told delegates in Japan that the focus should now be on making progress.
He said he had consulted many members across Asia and believed their position was unmistakable, with strong support for Infantino.
Addressing Infantino directly, Sheikh Salman acknowledged that disagreements had occurred and had already been discussed, but insisted they should be treated separately from the election.
He added that recent talks in Zurich had produced a shared understanding, making the confederation pleased to welcome Infantino and ready to concentrate on the future.
Sheikh Salman said the Asian football community was prepared to advance together and stand united behind Infantino.
Combined with Infantino’s established backing in Africa and South America, the Asian leader’s endorsement may prove decisive in helping him secure a fourth and final term.
In the election scheduled for March in Rabat, Uefa will control 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11 and Conmebol 10.
Potential challengers have until 18 November to declare their candidacy, but no rival has entered the contest so far, meaning Infantino may run without opposition.
During a Fifa Council meeting the previous week, Infantino apologised for the proposed World Cup investment deal, although he did not provide a complete account of how the plan had been developed.
He also suggested adding $3.4bn (£2.6bn) to the funding distributed for football development around the globe.
Uefa subsequently instructed Fifa to publish important records and respond to every question concerning its governance and decision-making procedures by 2 November.
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