Argentina and Mexico’s Football Associations has thrown their full support behind Gianni Infantino.
Infantino has faced backlash over his now-abandoned $20 billion proposal to sell off some of the commercial rights to the World Cup through a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
An open letter from Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia to Infantino said: “On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its Executive Committee, we write to you, dear President, and through your esteemed good offices to the FIFA Executive Committee, to express our support for the work carried out over the last 10 years, which has centred on the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model.”
Amid calls for Infantino to step down, FIFA said Wednesday it had apologised for errors made over Infantino’s failed plan to run the World Cup with private investors.
Tapia praised FIFA for admitting errors were made and “the process should have been handled differently.”
“With respect to the recent events that are now public knowledge, we must acknowledge the Administration’s decision to withdraw a proposal which, from the outset, generated far more uncertainty than certainty within the football family,” the letter said.” That is why it is worth highlighting the acknowledgement of the mistakes made during that process and the apology expressed in the thoughtful message sent to FIFA’s 211 member associations.”
In his letter, Tapia praised Infantino’s governance during his 10 years at the helm of FIFA and has backed him to continue presiding the world’s football governing body.
“As we have already stated, you are leading an administration that has brought about a profound transformation of FIFA; one that has opened the organisation’s doors to all member associations and confederations, so that, through frank and direct dialogue, we can all continue to promote football at all levels and across all disciplines. In our view, this transformation was built on a model of transparent governance, respect for statutory structures and adherence to democratic procedures.
“Consequently, with the upcoming FIFA Congress fast approaching, the Association that I am proud to chair firmly believes and reaffirms that the way forward is to continue working under your leadership, so that we may continue to develop a better and even more inclusive game of football.”
Mexico’s football federation (FMF) has given its backing to Infantino, saying it joined his call to “collectively continue developing football for the benefit of all 211 member associations”.
The FMF said it “supports the leadership of President Infantino in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening”.
Mexico’s support comes after its continental confederation, CONCACAF, issued a rebuke of Infantino last Saturday, accusing him of a “unilateral and egregious act of poor governance” in relation to the private investor plan, and calling for a full review of his leadership.
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On Friday the president of Norway’s football federation, Lise Klaveness, told The Guardian her board’s position was that Infantino had to resign.
“We decided that there is no trust in Infantino now,” she said.
“We have been worried consistently and there has been one more step in worrying direction every year, every part of the year. The trust is now gone for us, there is no way back for Infantino.”
Europe’s Football governing body (UEFA) and Concacaf — which oversees football in North, Central America and the Caribbean — both released statements on Saturday criticising the leadership of the world governing body following Infantino’s decision to withdraw the plan.
UEFA insisted that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s presidency and that had not changed despite FIFA’s apology.
South America’s Football Confederations, CONMEBOL, issued a statement on Thursday urging for dialogue while turning down any attempt to oust Infantino that did not involve a vote of all 211 FIFA members.
