The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), South African Patrice Motsepe, reaffirmed his support on Thursday for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is seeking a new term, despite the criticism he faces over his failed project to create a commercial company open to private sector investors.
Speaking in Cape Verde at a strategic meeting of the African Football Confederation, which was attended by the FIFA president, Motsepe said: "A few months ago, we unanimously decided to support Gianni Infantino and to confirm that we will defend him in the upcoming elections... I want you to stand and applaud Gianni."
Following this, delegates from the 54 member associations of the Confederation, along with members of the Executive Committee, stood to applaud the FIFA president.
Motsepe added: “For us, governance, transparency, and ethics are matters of life and death. Our partnership with Gianni is based on this firm belief. If there are any allegations against Gianni Infantino, or against me, or against any other president, then go to the FIFA Ethics Committee and follow the established procedures.”
The CAF president continued: “Elections will be held soon, so let people talk and let people decide. If there are differences or disagreements, let’s discuss them within FIFA.”
The Swiss-Italian has been president of FIFA since 2016 and has faced widespread criticism since the unveiling of a now-abandoned plan to create a commercial entity that would allow private sector investment and would, among other things, hold the rights to host and organize the World Cup.
Following the withdrawal of the plan, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reaffirmed its “unanimous” support for Infantino in early August, in preparation for the elections scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. However, Infantino faces a united front comprising UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC, though no candidate has yet been chosen to lead this opposition.
The deadline for nominations is November 18.
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