FIFA’s embattled president Gianni Infantino says he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of soccer despite his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Infantino is seeking re-election next year in the face of attempts to force him to stand down following the divisive plan.
He infuriated soccer leaders in Europe, North America and Asia over the proposal to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary.
But in an interview released on Saturday with the BBC at the Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, Infantino brushed off calls for him to step down.
“Well, you know, I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world,” he said.
“I think what is important is that in an organisation like FIFA there can be different views, different points of view.
“But if we are serious about democracy, about the democratic process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to everyone, if we are serious about that, then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority.”
Challengers to Infantino for the FIFA presidency have until November 18 to nominate. (Getty Images: Robert Hradil)
Infantino is standing for a final term in office in March. The deadline for opposition candidates is November 18.
His latest comments came after he apologised to FIFA’s ruling council last week for “mistakes” in his secretive investment plan for the World Cup.
Despite his apology, European delegates said they left the meeting disappointed about what they saw as a lack of clarity.
On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation endorsed Infantino for another term in an apparent turnaround in its stance from two months ago when it criticised him for a breach of trust.
AP
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