CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to enjoy the support of African football federations despite growing opposition to his leadership from other parts of the football world.
Motsepe made the remarks in Salzburg on Wednesday ahead of the UEFA Super Cup just hours before kickoff between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, as questions continue to surround Infantino’s position following controversy over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
The FIFA president has faced mounting resistance from several Confederations, with UEFA and CONCACAF among those calling for his resignation amid concerns over his leadership and the direction of the global game’s governing body.
However, Motsepe urged those opposed to Infantino to allow the democratic process to take its course rather than attempting to remove him outside FIFA’s established electoral framework.
Infantino’s current mandate will run into next year, with the next FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Motsepe insisted that the 211 FIFA member associations should ultimately determine whether the Swiss-Italian remains in office. “Let the people decide. If there are candidates who want to stand against him, put up their names. I mean, that’s the right thing,” Motsepe told reporters in Salzburg.
Motsepe: Africa Still Backs Infantino
Motsepe was unequivocal when asked whether Infantino retains the backing of African football, arguing that the FIFA president’s record of engagement with the continent has contributed to the support he continues to receive.
“He’s been loyal to African football. He enjoys the support of Africa,” Motsepe said, adding that African football leaders consider the development of the game when assessing Infantino’s leadership.
The CAF president also cautioned against allowing disagreements between football leaders to undermine due process, stressing that personal interests should not be confused with institutional governance.
“Every part of the world starts off by looking after its own interests. Don’t confuse advancing your personal interests with legality and due process and governance.”
Patrice Motsepe, CAF President
His comments come at a sensitive moment for Infantino, whose proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise has generated significant debate within international football. The initiative, which was intended to create a commercial structure around FIFA’s future revenue-generating activities like the World Cup, has faced strong opposition, particularly from UEFA.
Election Should Decide Infantino’s Future
Rather than endorsing calls for Infantino’s immediate departure, Motsepe said the appropriate mechanism for challenging his leadership is an election.
“If you want to take him out, go for elections. It’s as simple as that. Let the 211 member associations decide and the vote will express whether they’ve got confidence in him or not.”
Dr. Patrice Motsepe, CAF President
Motsepe’s position effectively places the emphasis on the March 2027 election, when FIFA’s member associations will have the opportunity to either renew their confidence in Infantino or choose an alternative candidate.
He also argued that Infantino’s support has been built partly on his contribution to the development and growth of football globally. “He has focused on contributing to the development and growth of football. And that’s where his support comes from,” Motsepe said. “People have seen what he’s done over the years.”
Governance Claims Must Follow Due Process
While defending Infantino’s right to remain in office until the electoral process takes place, Motsepe acknowledged that allegations and concerns surrounding football governance should not simply be dismissed.
He pointed to recent controversies involving international football officials and said allegations should be subjected to proper investigation rather than settled through public accusations.
“Everybody has a right to be heard. Let’s have a hearing and a proper forum, a proceeding, a court, whatever it is, or a tribunal. And let’s respect everybody’s entitlement to fair judgement, to fair treatment.”
Dr. Patrice Motsepe, CAF President
For Motsepe, good governance remains a fundamental principle regardless of who is involved. He said any concerns about Infantino’s conduct should be tested through the mechanisms provided by FIFA rather than through political pressure or public confrontation. “Good governance is non-negotiable,” he stressed before adding that: “If you have any accusation, accusation on anything, or even allegations, go and submit whatever your accusations may be and it will be, you know, there’s a process.”
Motsepe’s comments therefore signal that, at least from CAF’s leadership, there is no immediate appetite to join calls for Infantino’s resignation. Instead, Africa appears prepared to allow the FIFA electoral process to determine his future, setting the stage for a potentially significant contest in March next year as divisions within world football continue to deepen.
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