Egyptian FA joins Arab football bodies in backing FIFA president Gianni Infantino

The Egyptian Football Association has joined five other Arab football associations in issuing a statement of “full support” for FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The statement, led by Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abu Rida, reaffirmed the signatories’ confidence in Infantino’s leadership and praised what they described as his continuing efforts to develop football around the world.

It was published in response to an open letter from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, which accused Infantino of undermining trust within football’s governing system and placing himself above the game.

The dispute follows an attempt to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup. The European, Asian and North and Central American associations said the move had been pursued too quickly and without sufficient consultation, in an effort to avoid wider discussion.

The joint statement supporting Infantino said: “Recognising the important role that Arab football plays in bringing people together and strengthening co-operation between football associations across the Arab world, we, the undersigned presidents of football associations, express our full support for Mr Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and his continued commitment to developing football around the world.

“We greatly appreciate the continuous efforts made by Infantino to develop football globally, expand opportunities in different regions and strengthen the role of the game in bringing people and communities closer together.

“We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with him in pursuit of a stronger and more prosperous future for world football, expanding opportunities and further strengthening the contribution of Arab football to the global game.”

The signatories were:

– Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, president of the Qatar Football Association, FIFA Council member, vice-president of the Arab Football Association and president of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation. – Hany Abu Rida, president of the Egyptian Football Association, FIFA Council member and vice-president of the Arab Football Association. – Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, FIFA Council member and member of the Arab Football Association. – Ahmed Ould Yahya, president of the Mauritania Football Federation, FIFA Council member and board member of the Arab Football Association. – Hashem Haidar, president of the Lebanese Football Association and board member of the Arab Football Association. – Dr Mutasim Jaafar, president of the Sudan Football Association and board member of the Arab Football Association.

The statement places the Egyptian Football Association and its Arab counterparts on one side of an increasingly public disagreement over the governance and commercial direction of the international game.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf had issued their open letter after raising concerns about the proposed sale of World Cup commercial interests. They argued that the process had not involved adequate consultation and had moved at an accelerated pace to prevent debate.

The Arab associations, however, emphasised Infantino’s role in expanding opportunities across different parts of the world and in using football to promote closer links between countries and communities. Their statement also highlighted their intention to work with the FIFA president to increase the influence and contribution of Arab football globally.