Asian confederation backs Infantino for 4th FIFA term ahead of vote
What's next: FIFA candidates have until Nov. 18 to enter the March election, and no challenger has filed so far.
The Asian Football Confederation backed Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president at its congress in Tokyo, a sharp reversal after it joined UEFA and Concacaf in August in accusing him of a breach of trust. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa told delegates the confederation would support Infantino as he seeks a new mandate in the March election in Rabat. The endorsement strengthens Infantino’s position because Asia holds 46 or 47 member votes, depending on the count used by the reports, and no rival has entered the race. Last week, Infantino apologized to FIFA’s Council over a scrapped $4.2 billion plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.