Infantino Claims Vast Majority Back His FIFA Presidency

During the interview, he noted that the Asian Football Confederation had given him its full support after its president, Sheikh Salman, reversed his position. He also claimed to have the backing of every African nation.

However, only a week earlier, he had apologised to the Fifa Council for the way communication and consultation concerning FFE had been handled.

At that meeting, Council members warned him that he could not be considered suitable to lead Fifa unless he supplied the documents they had requested, including an explanation of the reasoning behind FFE.

When asked when those papers would be delivered, he offered no definite timeframe. He said a legal procedure had to be followed and that work on the matter was continuing.

He said they would respond to every question to the fullest extent permitted by the process.

Speaking at the inaugural Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, he said both he and the Fifa administration were making their best efforts, while acknowledging that some decisions had not been handled as well as they could have been.

He also acknowledged the need for more frequent discussions with Uefa as part of an attempt to improve their tense relationship.

When questioned about whether he remained suitable to serve as Fifa president and if he had thought about resigning, he laughed before pointing out that 211 member associations from across the world had elected him.

He argued that it was natural for people within an organisation such as Fifa to hold a variety of opinions.

He added that anyone genuinely committed to democracy, equal voting rights and the belief that football belongs to everybody must also recognise the position held by an overwhelming majority.

Referring to his international support, he said the Asian Football Confederation had endorsed him during his visit to Tokyo, while every member of the Confederation of African Football had backed him in Cape Verde. He added that he remained in contact with associations around the world.

He said that bringing contrasting opinions together was not always straightforward, but stressed that every perspective deserved respect. Ultimately, he added, Fifa’s member associations would decide whom they wanted as president and how the organisation should be managed.

Anyone wishing to challenge Infantino in the March election must declare their candidacy by 18 November. So far, no rival has entered the contest, meaning he may stand without opposition.