RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 6 sourcesGianni Infantino support tracker: Who is for and against FIFA president and what he needs to retain power originally appeared on The Sporting News .
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
As the fallout from the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan continues to shape the immediate future of global soccer governance, FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces a critical period of his tenure.
With opposition to his leadership growing by the day, Infantino's position in charge of the Switzerland-based non-profit has shifted from rock-solid to wobbly nearly overnight. Outrage has poured in from across the globe at Infantino's push to offer stakes in the sport's biggest events to private investment, poking holes in what appeared to be only weeks ago unilaterally unwavering support from across both FIFA leadership and membership.
A report by Sky Sports on August 4 claimed that Infantino would convene a "crisis meeting" with both supporters and critics within FIFA's senior staff to take stock of the situation, set to take place in Morocco on the following day.
As Infantino's most ardent supporter base looks to consolidate power, his most vocal critics are on the warpath to dismantle his ability to helm FIFA moving forward and erode confidence in his leadership base.
The Sporting News looks at who at this moment has voiced support for Infantino's continued position of power, and who has been vocal in their opposition of the Swiss native's ability to remain in charge.
MORE: Candidates to replace Gianni Infantino if FIFA president is pushed out
Who supports Gianni Infantino?
CAF nations, Qatar offer backing
The list of individual countries and international confederations to have come out in unequivocal support of Infantino has been quite small since the FIFA Forward Enterprise controversy bubbled over.
Most of Infantino's support has simmered in the background. He is likely to have unwavering support from African confederation CAF, an organisation that has routinely backed FIFA presidents with a willingness to spread the wealth across the developing world.
Infantino has also garnered support from certain pockets of the Asian confederation, most notably the Qatari FA who released a statement backing the current FIFA president, claiming the FFE plan "had merit" but applauding its withdrawal "in the interest of the global football community." That statement was interesting given that prominent Qatari businessman Nasser Al Khelaifi, the current president of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly did not agree with the sentiment, according to a report by Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport.
Others who have publicly backed Infantino in recent days include UAE, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco.
CONMEBOL hedge its bets
While it did not explicitly express support for Infantino, CONMEBOL released the softest statement of any confederation that spoke publicly on the situation. The South American confederation has developed a closer relationship with Infantino in recent years, as president Alejandro Dominguez has pushed for expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, hoping to stage more matches on South American soil before the tournament moves to main hosts Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Instead of following the aggression displayed by UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC in the immediate wake of the FFE scandal, CONMEBOL's statement made certain verbal concessions that hinted at consideration of the plan.
For example, the statement admitted that "we understand that the development of football requires commercial and financial decisions." While other confederations flatly rejected the FFE proposal, CONMEBOL said it had "requested additional information and clarifications" about the plan, while internally initiating "a consultation process with its Member Associations and convened a meeting of its Council for the sole purpose of analyzing and evaluating the proposal with the responsibility and rigor that the subject demands."
Infantino reportedly asks Morocco for support
According to a report by Martyn Ziegler of The Times on August 5, Gianni Infantino has dangled a carrot in front of Morocco in exchange for the country's public support in his hour of need.
The report states that Infantino offered the 2030 FIFA World Cup co-host the World Cup final if they could come out with a statement backing the current president in his endeavor to remain in charge.
FIFA have denied this report, claiming "it is false and misleading to claim the FIFA president has made any promise in relation to hosting the World Cup 2030 final." However, Ben Jacobs of talkSPORT confirmed that Moroccan officials have indeed staged discussions over potentially playing the final in Casablanca.
Morocco are set to host the 2030 tournament alongside Spain and Portugal. Only days before, a report from Spanish publication Defensa Central stated that Spain are pushing hard for Real Madrid 's home, the Santiago Bernabeu, to host the 2030 final.
Who has come out against Gianni Infantino?
UEFA leads the charge
While the outspoken support for Infantino's position of leadership has been sparse, the coalition of voices in opposition to his continued presidency has grown exponentially over the last few weeks.
In the immediate aftermath of the FFE plan being revealed, it seems that the number of Infantino's opposition grows larger every single day.
The European confederation, or UEFA, has been by far the most vocal critic of Infantino's. Led by Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA has been cold to Infantino's position over the entirety of his latest presidential term, but in recent weeks it has been further emboldened to speak out, issuing repeated statements of opposition that have left, in no uncertain terms, its position against the current FIFA president clear. UEFA even asked ...
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.