Soccer-Asian confederation boss backs Infantino's reelection bid

Asian Football Confederation head Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for reelection as FIFA president on Friday, just two months after describing his plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments as a "breach of trust". Infantino faced calls ‌to resign over his failed attempt in July to bring private investors into a new commercial entity holding rights linked to competitions including the World Cup, with Sheikh Salman joining the presidents of UEFA and CONCACAF to pen an open letter criticizing the FIFA president's conduct.

Infantino, who apologised over ‌the handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich this month, is up for reelection in March next year and the support of the Asian bloc could prove crucial. Speaking at the AFC's extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, Sheikh Salman said he had ironed out his differences with Infantino.

"I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your ‌leadership as you seek a new mandate as a FIFA president," he said in comments directed at Infantino, who was present at the meeting. "I want to make it clear: yes, we ‌had some issues we spoke about in the past but let's not relate the two things together," added the Bahraini, who is also seeking a fourth term in office next year.

"I think the last few days we met in Zurich. You made it clear that there was a true, a clear understanding between us.

And we believe football is strongest when we work together with a shared vision and a common purpose. As one Asian family we are ⁠ready to move forward, united in your support Gianni.

I just want ⁠to make that clear today." While Africa has also backed Infantino's reelection, he continues to face opposition from European soccer's governing body. UEFA has sent a letter to FIFA seeking answers about his presidency, including questions over the FFE project and ⁠the FIFA Peace Prize.

Infantino, 56, is seeking a fourth term until 2031 and potential candidates must submit their nominations by November 18. 'FANTASTIC JOB' Infantino, in his address to the AFC delegates, gave Sheikh Salman his backing for another term.

"You've been doing a fantastic job in AFC in the last 13 years, my dear Salman," he said. "You ⁠will do fantastically as well for the next how many years you want.

And always, always with my full support, with the partnership of FIFA, because we have seen what we have been doing in the last years."