Idriss Diallo says Africa’s 54 football federations support FIFA

Yacine Idriss Diallo says Africa’s 54 football federations have made their position clear by backing FIFA’s work to support the development of football across the continent.

Diallo was speaking after being re-elected president of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) for a further four-year term.

The FIF president said African federations supported FIFA’s structural initiatives because the continent faced challenges that differed from those experienced in Europe, Asia and America.

“For my part, I am an African and the African federations have expressed their position,” said Diallo.

“Our position is to say that we support FIFA in all its structural actions that support Africa. Africa’s problems are not the problems of Europe, nor those of Asia or America. But we know our own problems, and FIFA has helped us.

“In our culture in Africa, recognition is part of our values.”

Diallo’s comments come as the relationship between the African federations and FIFA continues to be highlighted following his return to the FIF presidency.