He has been accused of being the "puppet" of "disgraced" UEFA President Michel Platini, but FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino "insists he is his own man," according to Davies & Hodgetts of CNN. The Swiss-Italian worked under Platini at UEFA and has become UEFA's "preferred candidate for FIFA's top job after the Frenchman was banned for eight years for ethical breaches." Infantino "previously suggested he would withdraw if Platini was allowed to stand," so when it was suggested he was "merely acting for the Frenchman," he said, "That is certainly not the case. I have been nominated by the UEFA executive committee; I have received support in South America, Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Asia. I share a lot with Platini, we worked together for nine years, of course. But Platini has his own strengths and weaknesses. I have my own strengths and weaknesses. I am committed to show it to the whole world." Infantino is one of two European candidates alongside France's Jérôme Champagne. They are up against Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Bahraini head of the Asian Football Confederation, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan and South African Tokyo Sexwale. Infantino joined the presidential race just hours before the Oct. 26 deadline, but insists he "definitely" wants the job and is "totally committed to improving football and FIFA." Sheikh Salman "has emerged as favorite" to win the Feb. 26 vote, but Infantino "denies any deals are in place which would see him working under the Bahraini." Infantino said, "No, I would not be the general secretary of FIFA. I go in this election with great pleasure on my side, with great confidence. I think you should ask these questions to the other candidates what they will do if they lose because this is an option I don't contemplate" (CNN, 2/3).
GROWING SUPPORT: WORLD SOCCER's Jamie Rainbow reported Infantino’s bid to become the next president of FIFA has "received a boost with the news that both Russia and Italy will back him at this month’s election." Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who also heads the Russian Football Union, "confirmed he would be backing the Swiss." He said, "We agree with most European countries and believe that Infantino is our candidate for FIFA presidency." Meanwhile, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Carlo Tavecchio "revealed that he too will back Gianni Infantino’s bid." Tavecchio: "FIFA needs to make a start with young executives full of enthusiasm and UEFA have to take charge of this process of renewal" (WORLD SOCCER, 2/3). SKY SPORTS' Mark Crellin reported former ManU Manager Alex Ferguson "has offered his support" to Infantino's quest to become the new president of FIFA. Ferguson "has now appeared in a video message on Infantino's campaign website." Ferguson said, "In my role as ambassador to UEFA over the last few years I've got to know Gianni very well. I must say that all the help he's given me has been without question really, really valuable. I think he's got good professionalism, discipline, organizational ability and knowledge of the game, and I wish him every success in his quest to be a FIFA president" (SKY SPORTS, 2/3).
