Online Reporter
CONFEDERATION of African Football president Patrice Motsepe threw his and CAF’s, support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino, despite a tumultuous 2026 World Cup that has sparked calls for his resignation.
Motsepe dismissed the wide criticism of the head of world football’s governing body, basing his support for the Swiss administrator on Infantino’s loyalty and deep commitment to Africa.
Infantino has come under sustained pressure following a tournament overshadowed by controversies that included soaring ticket prices, widely criticised hydration breaks that critics said were extended to satisfy broadcasters, the barring of Somali referee Omar Artan from entering the United States, complaints over the treatment of Iran’s national team, and FIFA’s unprecedented decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban handed to USA forward Folarin Balogun after his red card.
Those incidents prompted La Liga president Javier Tebas to call on Infantino to resign, accusing him of “destroying the football industry,” while UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin publicly broke with FIFA over several of the decisions and even skipped the World Cup final in protest.
Motsepe brushed those incidents aside, insisting that Infantino oversaw the “best World Cup ever” and saying he stood behind the FIFA president, who is running for re-election.
“We took a decision, and I personally support Gianni Infantino,” Motsepe told reporters at a press conference this week in South Africa.
“He’s not just a good friend. He’s a loyal friend. He’s loyal to Africa.
“I come from a background where when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back. You never do that.”
Motsepe acknowledged the criticism surrounding Infantino but suggested the FIFA president was only human.
The Mamelodi Sundowns owner said: “I always look at the heart of a person. We are all human.
“We all have weaknesses and frailties and we all make mistakes. I think I make more mistakes than anybody else.
“But what I like is his deep love for football, his deep commitment to football around the world and his support for Africa.”- africa.espn.com.
