FIFA crisis: the Asian Football Confederation's about-face, abandoning UEFA's rebellion and supporting Infantino

Although it had quickly joined the rebellion against Gianni Infantino and his plan to create a commercial company for FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will ultimately support the leader in his quest for a fourth term at the head of the world football governing body.

Seeking re-election as FIFA president, Gianni Infantino sees the outlook brightening. The president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Friday the region's support for the Italian-Swiss leader in his bid for the FIFA presidency, despite their conflict over the ultimately aborted project to open the World Cup to private investment.

"We reaffirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek another term as FIFA president," Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said after an AFC meeting in Tokyo attended by Gianni Infantino. "I have spoken with many FIFA members from across the continent... Your support for Gianni is very clear," he added.

This support is significant ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March, for which Gianni Infantino, 56, is currently the only officially declared candidate. He is seeking a fourth and final term. The deadline for submitting candidacies is November 18.

"We had disagreements but..."

The AFC had joined the European (UEFA) and American (CONCACAF) confederations in firmly condemning FIFA's secret plan to create a commercial entity and open its capital to private investors. After the project was abandoned, the AFC maintained its initial position that the president should resign, but several national federations subsequently clearly expressed their support for the president who had been in office since 2016.

"Gianni, yes, we have had disagreements in the past. But we have to move forward. Football is stronger when we work together," Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa also said this Friday.

As a reminder, Asia has 46 member federations, and this support could therefore prove crucial for Gianni Infantino, who continues to face strong opposition from UEFA (55 members) and CONCACAF (35 members). With less than a month to go before the application deadline, no credible rival has emerged to challenge the incumbent FIFA president, as Victor Montagliani, considered his main opponent, is now not expected to run.