Gianni Infantino told an audience in Rwanda that he was inspired in his campaign to become Fifa president by the way the country recovered from its bloody civil war and genocide in 1994.
Infantino was re-elected as Fifa president on Thursday without a vote, as there were no other candidates, at the organisation’s Congress in Kigali.
The Swiss, who has been in post since 2016, recalled that he had visited the city eight years ago during his first campaign for the top job but was told by delegates that they would not be supporting him.
“Of course, I was pretty depressed, about to give up,” said Infantino, who visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial during his trip and claims it inspired him to renew his efforts to become president.
“What this country has suffered and how this country came back up is inspiring for the entire world. So I certainly couldn’t give up because somebody is telling me something.”
Infantino no longer lacks support in Africa, it seems. His re-election was “by acclamation”, a kind of unanimous consent, offered by a room of more than 200 delegates rising to applaud him.
“To all those that love me, and I know there are so many, and those that hate me, and I know there are a few, I love you all of course, today especially,” Infantino added.
In theory, Infantino could remain in post for as long as 15 years, until 2031. Presidents are limited to three four-year terms but Fifa’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee ruled that the first 39 months of his reign, which started after Sepp Blatter’s resignation and the 2016 Extraordinary Congress, did not count as a term.
That would still require him to win re-election in 2027, although the former Uefa chief seemed confident of that.
“If a CEO tells the stakeholders that the products were multiplied by seven I believe that they would keep that CEO forever,” Infantino said, referring to the basic annual funding of $2m each federation receives, up from $250,000 when he took over.
“They would love for this story to keep on going. But I am here for a four-year cycle only.”
With the Women’s World Cup just four months away, Infantino was also forced to confirm that a proposed sponsorship deal with the Saudi Arabian tourist board had been abandoned.
He added: “There were discussions with Visit Saudi… at the end, this discussion didn’t lead to a contract.”
The mere idea of the deal had drawn furious backlash from influential figures within the game over the restriction of women’s rights and laws against homosexuality in Saudi Arabia.
Netherlands and Arsenal superstar Vivianne Miedema had said Fifa should be “deeply ashamed” for considering the association while Americans Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan had also criticised the governing body.
Infantino also confirmed the prize money for the Women’s World Cup would be $150m, its highest ever fund, but still dwarfed by the $440m paid out at Qatar 2022.
“Our mission will be able to have equality in payments for 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups,” the president said of the $310m disparity.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/YQKWtTf
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