The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), led by Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, has reportedly thrown its weight behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino's upcoming reelection bid. The announcement was made during an extraordinary congress in Tokyo, where Infantino himself was in attendance. Sheikh Salman claimed that the continental body is allegedly ready to unite as a 'single Asian family' to back the controversial FIFA boss.

Observers point out that this sudden pivot masks considerable internal friction, as Sheikh Salman stopped short of claiming unanimous backing among the AFC's 47 member associations. While heavyweights like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have openly endorsed the Swiss official, deep skepticism remains regarding whether the entire continent genuinely supports another mandate for the current leadership, with Jordan notably voicing opposition.

This cooperative tone marks a stark reversal from just months prior, when the AFC—alongside European and North American bodies—purportedly accused Infantino of having 'fundamentally breached trust' over controversial commercial plans for World Cup broadcasting and tournament rights. At the time, regional disputes flared up over the direction of global football governance, though the Tokyo gathering glossed over those past grievances as if they never occurred.

Securing Asia's backing provides a critical lifeline for Infantino, whose controversial tenure faces persistent headwinds from Western sports bodies. With UEFA and CONCACAF maintaining their critical stance against the Swiss regime, the upcoming March election highlights an ongoing ideological and political fracture within international sports administration.

Source: kun.uz