CAF president Motsepe backs Infantino's right to re-election

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has reaffirmed his support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He stated that the future of the FIFA leader should be determined by the governing body's official electoral process rather than external pressure.

Infantino is currently facing criticism from several football confederations, including UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, which have called for his resignation. This scrutiny follows the failure to secure private investment for FIFA competitions and the World Cup. Despite this, Motsepe maintains that the 211 member associations should have the final authority during the upcoming election.

The FIFA president is seeking re-election at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18. Motsepe argued that if other candidates wish to challenge Infantino, they should submit their names through the established channels. He noted that the vote will serve as the definitive measure of whether the membership retains confidence in his leadership.

Motsepe highlighted that Infantino has shown loyalty to African football, which is why he continues to enjoy the backing of the continent's governing body. He emphasized that while football leaders must be accountable and open to scrutiny, the principles of governance, legality, and due process are non-negotiable.

Calling for unity within the global game, the South African administrator suggested that disagreements should be handled through formal governance mechanisms. He warned against actions that could cause further division within the sport, insisting that the upcoming March 2027 vote will settle the current dispute at the ballot box.