Motsepe urges FIFA critics to follow process and let members decide Infantino’s fate

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Dr Patrice Motsepe has urged anyone seeking to challenge FIFA president Gianni Infantino to follow the established processes and allow the world football governing body’s member associations to decide his future through elections.

Motsepe said individuals with concerns about Infantino should use the appropriate FIFA mechanisms rather than attempting to remove him outside the electoral process.

“If anybody has got any problem against anybody, whether it’s Gianni, whether it is anybody else, follow the process, follow the FIFA process, simple as that,” Motsepe told Sky News.

“If you want to take him out, go for elections; let the 211 member associations decide. Do that and the vote will express whether they’ve got confidence in him or not.”

Infantino has faced criticism over a number of issues surrounding his leadership of FIFA, but Motsepe said he was cautious about passing judgement on allegations or disputes without the relevant processes being followed.

The CAF president pointed to the upcoming FIFA presidential elections and stressed the importance of allowing the 211 member associations to exercise their democratic right.

“You’ve got to be very careful. There are elections taking place next year,” Motsepe said.

“Shouldn’t we allow that process to continue? And let the 211 members decide.”

Motsepe also called for fairness in dealing with allegations against individuals, arguing that anyone facing criticism or accusations should be given an opportunity to be heard through a proper forum.

“I’ve heard so many stories about various issues and am careful to pass judgement on anything,” he said.

“Everybody has a right to be heard. Let’s have a hearing, and a proper forum, a proceeding, a court, or whatever it is, or a tribunal … everybody is entitled to fair judgement, to fair treatment.”

The CAF president acknowledged that there were issues within football governance that needed to be addressed, but said the focus should remain on finding solutions and strengthening the sport.

“There’s a lot that’s problematic and negative that they have to fix,” Motsepe said.

“But he has apologised and said maybe there’s a different way these things should have been done, but we also take advice.”

Motsepe further stressed that football administrators must be prepared to accept electoral outcomes, even when their preferred candidates do not win.

“There are many times when I want the candidate to win and doesn’t win,” he said. “Whoever wins, I’ve got to support him.”

The South African businessman said his priority remained unity and cooperation among football’s governing bodies and member associations, rather than becoming embroiled in political divisions.

“I get too many telephone calls from too many member associations worldwide. And I like to focus on the unity, the cooperation,” Motsepe said.

“How do we continue to develop and grow football in the midst of the challenges we have? Deal with those challenges. We will resolve them and we’ll move on.”

Motsepe’s comments come as FIFA prepares for another presidential election, with the CAF chief advocating for the established electoral process to determine whether Infantino retains the confidence of the global football community.

Rather than pre-empting the outcome, Motsepe believes the 211 FIFA member associations should be allowed to make the final decision at the ballot box.