Although "banished from power" in world football, UEFA President Michel Platini "remains a guiding voice" for FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino as the campaign "enters the final stretch," according to Rob Harris of the AP. Infantino is "in unfamiliar territory lobbying for votes, striking deals with federations after emerging unexpectedly from relative global obscurity" as European football's top administrator in Platini's UEFA presidency. Infantino said of Platini, "He is suspended from football related matters, but he is not suspended from speaking with people. So definitely I am speaking with him. We speak about many things." The 45-year-old Infantino "never spoke of ambitions to run the world's most popular sport until his boss was suspended by FIFA in October." Infantino "is not ready to abandon Platini," standing by the former France captain while appeals are pursued and "consulting the former favorite for the FIFA presidency." Infantino said, "There is a procedure going on. We have to wait for the final results." The "more pressing result Infantino awaits" is the secret ballot of FIFA's 209 member associations on Feb. 26. If Infantino sees off four challengers -- "the strongest" being Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa -- he will be inheriting a governing body "with its credibility at rock bottom." Infantino: "I can't simply sit down in my chair as UEFA general secretary and watch FIFA destroy itself or be destroyed. I need to act. I need to take responsibility" (AP, 2/1).
MOURINHO OFFERS SUPPORT: GOAL's Iain Strachan reported former Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho "has given his backing" to Infantino. Mourinho appeared alongside Infantino at Wembley Stadium on Monday "to endorse his campaign." He said, "I've known him for a long time. I know that he's very capable, very experienced, [has] complete knowledge of everything around football and this organization. I think he's the one. I support him with a real feeling that I'm supporting someone that can do very well" (GOAL, 2/2).
