FIFA chief Infantino seeks Asian backing amid AFC neutrality stance

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's bid to secure backing from Asian football authorities has encountered a cautious response, as the Asian Football Confederation maintained a stance of impartiality during recent discussions.

At an AFC session, confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa signaled the organization's reluctance to take sides in the matter, stating: "We're not against anyone and we're not in favour of anyone." The comment underscores the AFC's determination to preserve neutrality on the issue at hand.

Infantino's appeal for Asian support comes as FIFA continues pursuing endorsements from continental confederations worldwide. The AFC's cautious approach reflects broader diplomatic sensitivities within international football governance, where regional powers often seek to balance competing interests.

The AFC's neutral position suggests that any broader shift in support for FIFA leadership initiatives may depend on persuasion efforts addressing the specific interests and concerns of individual Asian member associations rather than bloc-level commitments.