FIFA President Gianni Infantino Still Has the Backing of Most Football Associations, Claims Ally

Gianni Infantino, the embattled president of FIFA, still has the overwhelming support of the organization’s all-powerful congress, according to one of his closest allies. Véron Mosengo-Omba, the president of the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa), has come to Infantino’s defense, stating that he would ‘take a bullet’ for the FIFA president.

Mosengo-Omba, who served as FIFA’s chief member associations officer until 2021, has been a vocal supporter of Infantino’s leadership. However, he has also been critical of Infantino’s ill-fated plan to sell off more than 20% of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors. The plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was met with widespread criticism from football associations and fans alike.

Despite the backlash, Mosengo-Omba remains confident in Infantino’s leadership and believes that the majority of football associations still support him. ‘Most of the federations are supporting him,’ he said. ‘Just ask the congress.’

Mosengo-Omba’s comments come as UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation are increasing their efforts to oust Infantino. The three confederations have been critical of Infantino’s leadership and have called for ‘leadership that serves football, not seeks to command it.’

The situation has become increasingly tense, with Infantino’s opponents accusing him of launching a ‘concerted and ongoing effort to undermine FIFA and its president.’ The FIFA chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, was even sacked on Monday after criticizing Infantino’s plan.

However, Mosengo-Omba remains loyal to Infantino and believes that the plan was not entirely without merit. ‘Gianni’s project was good,’ he said. ‘I would buy it, but make some changes.’

Mosengo-Omba has even proposed an alternative plan that would see each confederation being offered the chance to buy a stake in the World Cup in order to generate more revenue for its members. The plan, which he believes could generate $20m a year for his country, has been met with interest from some football associations.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Infantino will be able to maintain the support of the majority of football associations. However, with allies like Mosengo-Omba standing by his side, it is clear that Infantino still has a significant amount of backing within the organization.

FIFA Forward Enterprise: A Controversial Plan

FIFA Forward Enterprise was a plan proposed by Infantino to sell off more than 20% of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors. The plan, which was met with widespread criticism, aimed to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for FIFA’s member associations.

However, the plan was criticized for its lack of transparency and its potential to undermine the independence of football associations. Mosengo-Omba has even admitted that he was against the plan, but believes that it was not entirely without merit.

Mosengo-Omba’s Proposal: An Alternative to FFE

Mosengo-Omba has proposed an alternative plan that would see each confederation being offered the chance to buy a stake in the World Cup in order to generate more revenue for its members. The plan, which he believes could generate $20m a year for his country, has been met with interest from some football associations.

The Future of FIFA: Will Infantino Maintain Support?

The situation at FIFA continues to unfold, with Infantino’s opponents increasing their efforts to oust him. However, with allies like Mosengo-Omba standing by his side, it is clear that Infantino still has a significant amount of backing within the organization.

FIFA’s Congress: A Decisive Factor

The FIFA congress is set to play a crucial role in determining the future of the organization. With a majority of 106 votes required to unseat Infantino, it remains to be seen whether his opponents will be able to gather enough support to trigger a vote of no confidence.