African confederation reiterates support for Salman — FIFA Elections

During apartheid, Sexwale was jailed by the apartheid regime on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela.

“I think I will have the majority of African votes”, Infantino, from Switzerland, told reporters at Cape Town airport after his visit.

Sheikh Salman, the president of the Asian soccer confederation, has been officially backed by the Confederation of African Football, but Infantino has said he will have the support of many of Africa’s 54 countries.

Infantino said his belief came from private visits to Africa, FIFA’s largest confederation by number of voting countries, and a crucial battleground for votes.

Gianni Infantino is one of the front-runners to become Federation Internationale de Football Association president.

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Sexwale’s bid for support from elsewhere in Africa fell flat this month when the Confederation of African Football instead endorsed Sheikh Salman.

On Monday, it was also announced that Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali, who lost out to now banned President Sepp Blatter in last year’s election, topped a global fans poll conducted by campaign group #NewFIFANow.

“CAF did not endorse me but I am confident I had enough individual interactions with leaders to gain their confidence”, UEFA general secretary Infantino said on Monday during a visit to South Africa.

For Infantino, appearing alongside Sexwale was bound to lead to speculation he was seeking an endorsement from one of his opponents.

He said he would be happy to forge an alliance with Infantino, but the Swiss-born UEFA official rejected the idea.

They wanted answers about Sexwale’s election tactics after they had helped him obtain the five nominations needed to stand to replace Blatter. “I am open to alliances, I am open to negotiations”.

Prince Ali’s lawyers said on Tuesday they had requested a delay in the vote while he appeals to sport’s highest tribunal over his request for transparent voting booths and independent scrutineers.

Yesterday also saw Champagne make a formal complaint about Sheikh Salman and Infantino being supported by continental governing bodies.