Patrice Motsepe reaffirms CAF backing for Gianni Infantino in FIFA election

Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has reiterated the confederation’s full support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain as FIFA president.

The FIFA presidential election is due to take place next March.

“We renew our full support for Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA election,” Motsepe said in comments carried by beIN SPORTS.

His statement came only hours after former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega announced that he would stand against Infantino for the FIFA presidency.

Vega is the first person to declare a candidacy for the position. The Swiss former defender, 55, said in a statement: “I stand before the global football family with humility and a deep sense of responsibility. Football is not owned by presidents or continental confederations. Football is bigger than any position, individual or institution.”

He added: “Football is currently in the emergency room and living on life support. We cannot wait any longer. FIFA needs fundamental reforms.”

Infantino confirmed last month that he would seek to retain the role next year, despite facing significant pressure in recent times to leave his position.

A FIFA spokesperson told Sky Sports: “In April, Gianni Infantino announced that he would stand for re-election as FIFA president in 2027. Nothing has changed. Infantino will stand for re-election.”

It was the first time FIFA had confirmed that Infantino intended to seek a fourth term since the crisis that followed the World Cup held this summer.

The confirmation also followed the announcement that more than one football association had withdrawn its support for Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president.

Infantino has led FIFA since 2016, when he succeeded Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023. However, the source article specifically states that FIFA’s confirmation marked the first indication of his intention to seek a fourth term after the controversy that emerged following this summer’s World Cup.