Motsepe says Fifa members must decide Infantino’s future in election

Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe says Gianni Infantino’s future as Fifa president should be decided by the organisation’s 211 member associations at next March’s election.

Infantino is seeking re-election but has come under growing pressure after Uefa, the AFC and Concacaf publicly criticised his conduct and called for him to resign.

The dispute followed Infantino’s unsuccessful attempt to secure private investment in Fifa competitions, including the World Cup.

Fifa’s 77th Congress is due to take place in Rabat, Morocco, on 18 March, when its members will decide whether Infantino should remain in office.

“Elections are taking place next year. We should allow that process to continue and let the 211 members decide,” Motsepe told Sky News on Wednesday.

“If there are candidates who want to stand against him, put up their names. That’s the right thing.

“What I like to focus on is the unity, the cooperation. How do we continue to develop and grow football in the midst of the challenges we have? We must deal with those challenges, resolve them and move on.”

Motsepe said football leaders should be prepared to face scrutiny, but argued that complaints about Infantino should be handled through Fifa’s established procedures.

He said any president who failed to act in accordance with proper governance should be questioned, while insisting that a challenge to Infantino should be made through the election process.

“If I, as a president, behave in a manner that does not reflect due process or governance, I should be subject to interrogation and have those questions asked of me,” he said.

“If anyone has got a problem against anybody, whether it’s Gianni or anybody else, follow the Fifa process. And if you want to take him out, go for elections. Simple as that.

“Let the 211 member associations decide. The vote will express whether they have confidence in him or not.

“Everybody is entitled to fair judgement and fair treatment. Everybody should be heard. Due process, governance and legality are non-negotiable.”

Motsepe also confirmed that Infantino continues to have the backing of the Confederation of African Football.

“He’s been loyal to African football. He enjoys the support of Africa,” he said.

The comments come after three of Fifa’s six confederations Uefa, the AFC and Concacaf attacked Infantino and demanded that he leave his position.

Infantino’s proposed move to bring private investment into Fifa competitions was abandoned, with the plan having included the World Cup.

Motsepe’s position is that the issue of Infantino’s leadership should now be settled by the 211 member associations rather than through calls for his resignation.

Any candidates seeking to oppose Infantino have been urged to declare their intentions and contest the election at the Fifa Congress in Rabat next March.

Reuters contributed to this report.