Arab Football Union renews unanimous backing for FIFA president Gianni Infantino

The Arab Football Union has unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, citing his efforts over almost a decade to unite football’s stakeholders and continue developing the game.

The organisation said Infantino had helped promote the growth of football and expand its global presence in ways that serve all parts of the sport and meet the ambitions of players and supporters worldwide.

The renewed endorsement comes after Infantino faced significant criticism in recent months. The Spanish, German, English and Italian leagues issued a joint statement challenging his approach to football governance.

“Football has been threatened in recent years by a fundamental governance problem, after the FIFA president promoted exploitative ideas,” the leagues said.

“Although football stakeholders forced the FIFA president to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise programme, the circumstances that led to its emergence remain.”

The four leagues called for national associations, leagues, clubs and players to have a genuine role in decisions concerning the football calendar and competitions.

They also demanded that decisions be supported by evidence and assessment, with options carefully examined and final decisions accompanied by published explanations. They criticised unilateral decisions, the increase in the number of matches and the extension of international breaks without meaningful involvement from stakeholders.

The leagues further called for FIFA’s regulatory responsibilities to be separated from its commercial interests.

They urged all candidates for the FIFA presidency to publish their reform programmes, discuss their content and commit to fair election rules. They also said FIFA’s financial, legal, media and marketing resources must remain completely neutral, with no candidate receiving an electoral advantage.

“The time has now come to determine not only who will lead FIFA, but how it should be governed,” the joint statement said.

“Football needs FIFA to be a strong institution. But strength must be accompanied by accountability. FIFA can derive its authority only by sharing responsibility, accepting scrutiny and earning trust.”

Infantino has announced that he will stand in the next FIFA presidential election, which is scheduled to take place on 18 March.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has previously said he does not intend to run against Infantino, despite calls for Infantino to resign.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking the trust of football’s governing system and placing himself above the game.

The escalation followed an attempt to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup. The confederations said the move had been pursued without sufficient consultation and at speed in order to avoid debate.

The Egyptian Football Association, led by Hany Abu Rida, joined six other associations in issuing a statement supporting Infantino.

Infantino continues to have the backing of the Confederation of African Football, CONMEBOL and the Oceania Football Confederation, with New Zealand the only exception.