**Africa Backs FIFA President Gianni Infantino Amidst Global Controversy**
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed its unwavering support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, despite increasing calls for his resignation following a controversial proposal that aimed to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial operations to private investors. This endorsement was announced after a meeting of CAF's Executive Committee on Thursday, where they acknowledged Infantino's contributions to African football.
The support from CAF comes at a critical time as Infantino faces opposition from various football bodies across Europe, Asia, and North and Central America. Notably, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has been vocal in its disapproval of Infantino's now-withdrawn investment plan and is reportedly seeking a candidate to challenge him in the upcoming presidential election.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the Executive Committee's decision, emphasizing the importance of loyalty in leadership. He stated, “When people have been loyal to you, you should never stab them in the back,” highlighting the solidarity among African football associations.
In April, all 54 member associations of CAF had pledged their support for Infantino's reelection for the term spanning 2027 to 2031, positioning him favorably within one of FIFA's largest voting blocs.
The contentious proposal involved the establishment of a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which was intended to manage significant revenue-generating operations, particularly those related to the World Cup. FIFA aimed to raise approximately $4.2 billion by selling a minority stake in this business, which it valued at around $20 billion. Potential investors included Thrive Capital, a firm founded by Joshua Kushner, whose brother, Jared, is known for his ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
FIFA argued that the proposal would benefit all 211 member associations by providing each with $20 million and enhancing funding for football development. However, critics contended that the plan was developed without sufficient consultation and could jeopardize the World Cup's commercial future by placing it under private control.
Following significant backlash, FIFA withdrew the proposal, stating that it had "created divisions" that were no longer aligned with the organization's objectives. In the wake of this decision, UEFA has threatened legal action regarding the proposal's development process.
The Norwegian Football Federation has emerged as the first national association to explicitly call for Infantino's resignation, with federation president Lise Klaveness expressing a lack of trust in his leadership. Klaveness stated, “There is no way back for him,” reflecting the sentiments of several other football organizations.
Infantino's leadership has also come under scrutiny due to his close ties with Trump, particularly after awarding the former president FIFA’s inaugural peace prize in December, citing his efforts to mediate international conflicts. Reports have surfaced suggesting that Trump is interested in having Infantino appointed as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
In response to the growing discontent, Norway has announced plans to file a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, which will address both the award to Trump and the failed investment proposal. FIFA has acknowledged its missteps in handling the proposal and has committed to reviewing its decision-making processes. CAF has welcomed this apology and the proposed review.
As Infantino prepares for the upcoming election scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco, the support from CAF may prove pivotal in his quest for another term. However, the mounting opposition from other global football bodies raises questions about his future leadership and the direction of FIFA under his presidency.