African football bodies rally behind FIFA chief Infantino after funding plan collapse

The Confederation of African Football’s executive committee voted unanimously to reaffirm its backing of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, after a series of statements from senior African football officials. Morocco’s federation president Fouzi Lekjaa welcomed Infantino’s decision to drop the controversial Forward Enterprise proposal, describing it as a move that puts the unity of FIFA’s 211 members first. In Egypt, council member Hany Abo Rida’s close relationship with Infantino has helped channel Forward funding into infrastructure, youth development and women’s football.

The Congolese Football Federation, led by Véron Mosengo-Omba, declared full support through 2027, citing a decade of FIFA-backed development. Nigeria’s former federation chief Amaju Pinnick argued the withdrawn plan would have delivered essential cash to cash-strapped associations, noting a $4.88 million project at the Abuja technical centre. South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie cautioned against a “public lynching” of Infantino, emphasizing his contributions to African football. Additional endorsements came from officials in Malawi, Gambia and CAF president Patrice Motsepe, while former Sierra Leone FA president Isha Johansen warned of over-commercialisation.