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Infantino’s future should be decided by election - CAF president

Infantino’s future should be decided by election - CAF president

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • African football chief Patrice Motsepe stated that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future should be decided by elections.
  • This comes as several federations have withdrawn support for Infantino following his controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes.
  • Motsepe, also a FIFA vice-president, urged adherence to FIFA's processes and suggested allowing next year's elections to determine Infantino's fate.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe believes that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future should be determined through elections, not resignations. This stance comes as Ireland became the latest football federation to withdraw support for Infantino amid criticism over his aborted plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

If anybody has got any problem against anybody, whether it’s Gianni, whether it is anybody else, follow the process, follow the FIFA process, simple as that

— Patrice MotsepeMotsepe told Sky News about following FIFA's established procedures.

Motsepe, who also serves as a FIFA vice-president, emphasized that any challenges against Infantino should follow established FIFA processes. "If anybody has got any problem against anybody, whether it’s Gianni, whether it is anybody else, follow the process, follow the FIFA process, simple as that," Motsepe told Sky News. He suggested that those seeking Infantino's removal should pursue elections, allowing the 211 member associations to decide.

If you want to take him out, go for elections; let the 211 member associations decide. Do that and the vote will express whether they’ve got confidence in him or not.

— Patrice MotsepeMotsepe suggested that Infantino's fate should be decided by member associations through elections.

European (UEFA), North and Central American (CONCACAF), and Asian (AFC) football governing bodies have increased pressure on Infantino, expressing that "trust is broken through deception." They reportedly want Infantino to resign before the March elections. However, Motsepe urged caution, stating, "You’ve got to be very careful. There are elections taking place next year. Shouldn’t we allow that process to continue?"

You’ve got to be very careful. There are elections taking place next year. Shouldn’t we allow that process to continue?

— Patrice MotsepeMotsepe advised patience, suggesting the upcoming elections should determine Infantino's future.

Motsepe met with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, whose organization has threatened a boycott of the World Cup and Club World Cup in protest. CAF had previously reaffirmed its support for Infantino, with Motsepe claiming no rules were breached regarding the World Cup sell-off talks, as proposals were to be submitted to FIFA members for final approval. Despite Infantino's apology for how the proposals were handled, criticism continues.

I’ve heard so many stories about various issues and am careful to pass judgement on anything. Everybody has a right to be heard. Let’s have a hearing, and a proper forum.

— Patrice MotsepeMotsepe expressed caution regarding judgment and called for due process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.