February 24 – Gianni Infantino says FIFA has no future unless it cleans up its image after Friday’s presidential election.
Speaking to the BBC as he lobbies for crucial late support in Zurich to squeeze over the line, the UEFA general secretary said the reform package on the table on election day must be supported – and then implemented fast.
“We have all witnessed in the past few months sadly what has happened around FIFA. Truly the image and reputation of FIFA is at its worst,” said Infantino of the biggest corruption scandal in the organisation’s history.
“Something needs to be done. Reforms need to be implemented. They need to be voted first and then they have to be implemented.
“If we don’t do something now about it, to restore the image of FIFA and the reputation of FIFA – and to increase the development of football in the world – then I see no future for FIFA. I think the crisis that FIFA is undergoing at the moment is really unprecedented.”
Asked about presidential rival Prince Ali bin al-Hussein calling on the Court of Arbitration for Sport to consider suspending the election because of a dispute over voting transparency, Infantino, believed to be running neck and neck with Sheikh Salman, said the ballot had to go ahead.
“There is electoral committee. They are in charge of making sure the regulation is implemented. I’m very confident they will do so in the best possible way because it’s about FIFA’s reputation and I’m sure we will have a correct election taking place on Friday.”
Did that mean it was unthinkable that it would not go ahead? “Definitely,” he replied.
In a separate interview, Infantino told Reuters Television he hoped to secure “more than 105” votes. A straight majority of FIFA’s 209 federations is required in the second round.
“I have spoken to (acting FIFA president) Issa Hayatou, to Michel Platini, to Sepp Blatter, about 150 presidents of FAs,” he said. “It’s only normal if you want to become president of FIFA: you speak to as many people as possible but at the end of the day, you need to convince 105 FAs to vote for you.”
As well as Europe, Infantino believes he has the support of CONMEBOL and backing in the Caribbean, and on Monday said he expected to get more than half the 54 votes in Africa, even though the Confederation of African Football has backed Salman.
“I’m very confident that I have those votes because I met personally the vast majority of presidents from African associations,” said Infantino.
“You look at them in the eyes, they look you in the eyes then you see if they are just telling you what you want to hear, or they are honest and truthful about what they say.”
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