Infantino says 'overwhelming majority' supports his re-election bid

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he has the support of the 'overwhelming majority' of member associations in his bid for re-election, despite criticism of his plan to sell World Cup rights to private investors. The Asian Football Confederation announced its support for him on Friday, boosting his hopes for a fourth term. Heads of European, Asian, and North American federations signed a letter stating that football does not belong to any individual.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he has the support of the 'overwhelming majority' of member associations in his bid for re-election, despite criticism of his plan to sell part of the World Cup rights to private investors. The Asian Football Confederation announced its support for Infantino on Friday, a significant boost to the 56-year-old's hopes of winning a fourth term. His future in the position was in doubt two months ago, when he faced a backlash over his plan to sell part of FIFA's commercial rights to private investors. The heads of UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF signed a letter stating that football 'is not owned by any individual.' However, Infantino, who apologized last week for the failed private investment project, is now in a strong position to secure his re-election in March. Infantino told the BBC on Saturday: 'I think the important thing is that in an organization like FIFA, there can be different opinions and different perspectives. But if we are serious about democracy, about its process, and about the belief that everyone has the same voice and the same opinion around the world, and that football belongs to everyone, if we are serious about that, then we must also respect the views of the vast majority.' He added: 'I just returned from Tokyo where the Asian Football Confederation fully endorsed me. And I was in Cape Verde where all the African countries supported me.'