Sept 6 (Reuters) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino remains committed to standing for re-election amid renewed opposition to his candidacy after a botched plan to sell a stake in FIFA competitions to private investors, a spokesperson for the global soccer body said on Sunday.
Infantino, who had previously announced that he would seek a fourth term in March next year, has faced calls to resign from UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF, after his plan to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup and other FIFA events was scrapped amid widespread backlash in July.
But the 56-year-old retains support from the African and South American confederations.
“The FIFA president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement came after Infantino remained tight-lipped when asked whether he regretted the turbulent last six weeks while attending the U-20 World Cup in Poland on Saturday.
“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this,” Infantino had said.
No one has formally announced a candidacy to challenge Infantino in next year’s election.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Writing by Chiranjit Ojha in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)
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