Saudi federation backs Gianni Infantino as contested FIFA president faces 2027 vote | OneFootball

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has declared its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to be re-elected as FIFA president, the federation said in a statement on Thursday.

It welcomed his acknowledgement of mistakes, his apology and his decision to drop the proposal to open World Cup revenues to private investors, calling them important first steps.

The federation also backed efforts to restore unity across the football family and to keep developing the game in the interests of all.

Infantino’s governance has split opinion, with critics decrying a lack of transparency and accusing him of drawing up the plan without consultation to channel World Cup income through a commercial vehicle open to outside investors.

He has since abandoned the idea, yet criticism has mounted and several leading European federations have withdrawn backing ahead of elections in March 2027. He retains support from the African confederation, among others, and remains the only declared candidate.

Source: L'Équipe

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