CAF to support FIFA president Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election

KARACHI: Patrice Motsepe, the head of the Confederation of African Football, said that African football would support FIFA President Gianni Infantino in his campaign for re-election next year.

At its annual session on Wednesday in Tanzania, the CAF formally endorsed Infantino's candidacy, with Motsepe reiterating support from the confederation itself as well as on behalf of member organisations to "our brother situated in Europe."

Infantino, who was re-elected without opposition as the head of football's international governing body in 2019, will run for a third term at the 73rd FIFA congress in 2019.

"We discussed at the executive committee meeting that in recognition of the huge contributions, commitment, and the track record that you've built in terms of improving African football, all 54 member nations have taken a resolution to vote for you (Gianni Infantino) for re-election," said Motsepe.

"He has shown so much commitment and love to football in Africa. I've been honoured whilst visiting about 30 nations over the last year, to hear the people who love football on the African continent as well as the presidents of football in all of the 54 African nations.

"They've said that the work Gianni Infantino has done, the visible improvements, and the contribution to African football is greatly appreciated."

Infantino, who was originally elected president in February 2016, has not yet been challenged by any other candidate who has expressed interest in running in the FIFA elections.

The 52-year-old Swiss-Italian stood on stage in Tanzania to express his gratitude to Africa for its support of the game there and to promise to continue doing so.

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