By Michael Uugwanga
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under tremendous pressure from some of the biggest football powerhouses, notably Europe, Asia, North, Central America and the Caribbean, ahead of his upcoming re-election bid following his controversial and now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
His plans to do so did not materialise after failing to get support from his fellow leadership within FIFA, a move that has now been put to bed.
As a result, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have all issued joint statements accusing Infantino of deception and breach of trust, and have all called for his resignation before the Elective Congress slated for March next year in Rabat, Morocco.
Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016, has always been a popular figure in Africa, with Africa the biggest contributor to votes when it comes to voting.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has 54 voting members, with the Namibia Football Association (NFA) one of those.
If Infantino is to survive his presidential re-election, he will need support from Africa, South America and Oceania.
Despite the pressure from UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC to have Infantino relinquish his position, CAF has made it clear that it is fully backing him to stay on.
This week Confidente asked the NFA’s position on Infantino and whether it will be casting its vote for Infantino come March next year at the Elective Congress.
Acting Secretary-General of the NFA, Mabos Vries, has said that despite being aware of the pressure mounting against Infantino, it is not in a position to comment on the matter, but it will cast its vote in favour of Infantino.
“The Namibia Football Association (NFA) is aware of the recent developments and discussions concerning FIFA plans. As a member association of FIFA, the NFA continues to monitor the situation closely and will carefully consider all relevant information as events unfold. At this stage, the NFA is not in a position to comment further on the matter.
“Yes, vote for Infantino. The NFA believes that the president has made a positive contribution to the growth and development of football globally, particularly through increased investment in football development programmes, expanded opportunities for member associations, and a greater focus on the growth of the game across all confederations,” said Vries.
