FIFA chief Infantino receives support from 6 Arab federations amid revolt over World Cup plan
- Six Arab soccer federations expressed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid a revolt over his World Cup investment plan.
- The federations supporting Infantino include Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon, and Sudan, with four being FIFA council members.
- Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors faced backlash from global soccer officials, leading to its withdrawal.
- The Football Association of Ireland and soccer federations in England and Wales have withdrawn their support for Infantino's re-election.
- Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and is expected to seek re-election in March 2023.
The heads of six Arab soccer federations expressed their "full support" and "confidence" in Gianni Infantino on Thursday as the embattled FIFA president fights to keep his job after his failed World Cup private investment plan.
The backing came from 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan, with four of the signatories being FIFA council members. The statement said the signatories "look forward to continuing our close cooperation with him towards a stronger and more prosperous future for world football."
Infantino is facing a revolt after his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors was met with backlash from global soccer officials, including UEFA, which warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events.
The Football Association of Ireland announced it has withdrawn its support for Infantino to be re-elected as FIFA president, citing concerns regarding governance and transparency. Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and seemed sure to be re-elected unopposed next year in Morocco.
国际足联主席因凡蒂诺在世界杯计划争议中获得6个阿拉伯足协的支持
六个阿拉伯足球协会的负责人在周四表达了对国际足联主席因凡蒂诺的“全力支持”和“信心”，因凡蒂诺在其世界杯私人投资计划失败后努力保住自己的职位。
支持的足协包括2030年世界杯的共同主办国摩洛哥、卡塔尔、埃及、毛里塔尼亚、黎巴嫩和苏丹，其中四个签署者是国际足联理事会成员。声明中表示，签署者“期待与他继续紧密合作，共同为世界足球创造一个更强大和繁荣的未来”。
因凡蒂诺面临反对声浪，因为他计划向私募股权投资者出售世界杯股份遭到全球足球官员的强烈反对，包括欧足联，后者警告将抵制所有国际足联的比赛和活动。
爱尔兰足球协会宣布已撤回对因凡蒂诺连任国际足联主席的支持，理由是对治理和透明度的担忧。因凡蒂诺自2016年起担任国际足联主席，似乎有望在明年摩洛哥的选举中无对手连任。