Lead image for Infantino gets a lifeline with African support, UEFA maintains World Cup boycott threat.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino received a lifeline on Thursday when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously backed his leadership, but the support from one of the largest voting blocs in soccer is unlikely to end scrutiny on how the sport is governed globally.
The endorsement from CAF, whose 54 member associations account for more than a quarter of FIFA's 211 members, handed Infantino a much-needed boost as he seeks a fourth term in office.
However, it does little to quell wider unrest within the global governing body, where opposition has intensified following his failed attempt to open the World Cup to private equity investment.
"We are committed to continue working together with FIFA, its member associations, other football Confederations and stakeholders to safeguard and adhere to governance, due process, and transparency," CAF President Patrice Motsepe said in a statement.
The announcement was at odds with the near-global condemnation of Infantino, as UEFA reaffirmed its commitment to boycotting the World Cup the same day, while more countries withdrew support for his candidacy.
UEFA holds position
A day after FIFA's leadership gathered in Rabat to publicly reaffirm support for Infantino, world soccer's governing body apologised to its 211 members for mistakes around the abandoned proposal to sell a slice of the World Cup's commercial future.
FIFA also pledged to review the processes that led to the controversy, which sparked the fiercest revolt of Infantino's tenure after national federations complained they had been sidelined.