FIFA’s 209 member associations will vote at a special congress in Zurich on February 26 for a successor for Blatter, who stepped down and was subsequently banned for eight years, following corruption allegations which have engulfed football’s governing body.
Advertisement
Fifa presidential-hopeful Tokyo Sexwale will now enter the elections to head the world soccer body without the support of the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Prince Ali had decided against traveling, his campaign team said. “And we continue to support him and believe this is a worthy candidate and we back his candidacy”.
While both Salman and Infantino are expected to get good support from their home continents, Asia and Europe, respectively, Africa is seen as the bloc that could clinch the vote for one of them.
The news sparked reaction on social media.
South African businessman and politician Sexwale could have an influence on CAF’s decision as he will face pressure to withdraw from the Federation Internationale de Football Association race before Friday’s vote if it becomes clear he does not have the support of his own confederation.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan was the only candidate not to attend after recently denouncing a possible attempt to breach the election rules after CAF signed a January 15 agreement with the AFC to organise tournaments and programmes for technical development.
“Today we discussed details of the election campaign and again expressed our support to Infantino”, R-Sport news agency quoted him as saying. “Who can prevent us from doing this?” he said.
Although CAF alone can’t win the election for any of the candidates, it could lose it for Sexwale.
The former anti-apartheid activist, who was imprisoned on Robben Island and was a close friend of the late South Africa President Nelson Mandela, said he did not feel betrayed by his fellow Africans.
Sexwale didn’t comment to an AP reporter at Serena Hotel as he rushed to a meeting.
Advertisement
“I am deeply honoured to have earned the trust of many of our African friends at this crucial stage of the campaign effort”, Salman said in a statement.
