Infantino Secures 200-Plus Endorsements for Fourth Fifa Term as Europe Weighs Challenger
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 17
Infantino Secures 200-Plus Endorsements for Fourth Fifa Term as Europe Weighs Challenger
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 17
Summary
More than 200 of Fifa’s 211 member associations have formally backed Gianni Infantino for re-election, leaving him on course for a landslide fourth-term victory at the March congress.
Only a handful of federations have yet to submit letters, with Germany the highest-profile holdout; candidates must be nominated by 18 November, and endorsements can still be withdrawn or switched.
The backing has come despite unrest over Folarin Balogun’s suspension reprieve, after Donald Trump acknowledged lobbying Fifa to review the US striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
European disquiet has grown into private talk of a rival candidate, but officials close to the process see little chance of multiple federations uniting behind one name even if 30 or 40 votes could force a governance debate.
Fifa members meet in New York on Saturday, where recent scandals are unlikely to dominate and World Cup finances — including possible benefits for national associations — are expected to take priority.