Top Africa football leaders back Infantino after FIFA selloff scandal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is receiving backing from influential African football administrators as he navigates fallout from a contentious commercial proposal. The initiative in question sought to establish a new commercial entity that would have generated $4.2 billion from future World Cup broadcasting and sponsorship rights. Under mounting pressure, Infantino withdrew the plan, but the episode has exposed divisions within international football governance.

Leading African football figures including CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco, Egyptian FIFA Council member Hany Abo Rida, Niger's Hamidou Djibrilla, and Mauritania's Ahmed Yhaya have issued statements of support for Infantino. Additionally, Veron Mosengo-Omba, the newly elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo's football federation and former CAF general secretary, has backed him. These endorsements carry particular weight as Infantino faces a presidential election in March.

The African support contrasts sharply with positions taken by football administrators from Asia, Europe, and the CONCACAF region, who have indicated they have lost confidence in Infantino's leadership. The Confederation of African Football has not yet taken an official stance, though the matter remains on the agenda for an upcoming executive committee meeting.

Infantino's popularity among African members stems largely from his 2016 election promises to substantially increase development funding to FIFA member associations. Many African nations, which often lack robust government funding for sports infrastructure and training, have become dependent on FIFA financial support to remain competitive internationally. This financial relationship has proven instrumental in maintaining his support base on the continent.