Top News

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has given its full backing to embattled president Gianni Infantino amid the continuing governance crisis at FIFA. The strong show of support has come soon after the FIFA chief was forced to drop a hugely controversial $20 billion proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup.

AFA has openly placed its full support behind under-pressure FIFA president Infantino. The endorsement has arrived at a time when the world governing body of football is facing intense scrutiny. Infantino has been hit by major criticism over his recently withdrawn $20 billion proposal.

The disputed plan was aimed at selling commercial rights to the World Cup through a newly formed subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise. After widespread calls for Infantino to resign, FIFA formally apologised on Wednesday for the serious mistakes made during the failed private investment plan.

AFA president Claudio Tapia has praised FIFA for admitting its errors. He said the entire process should have been managed in a completely different way from the very beginning.

In an open letter addressed to Infantino, Tapia wrote: "On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its Executive Committee, we write to you, dear President, and through your esteemed good offices to the FIFA Executive Committee, to express our support for the work carried out over the last 10 years, which has centred on the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model."

"With respect to the recent events that are now public knowledge, we must acknowledge the Administration's decision to withdraw a proposal which, from the outset, generated far more uncertainty than certainty within the football family.

"That is why it is worth highlighting the acknowledgement of the mistakes made during that process and the apology expressed in the thoughtful message sent to FIFA's 211 member associations."

Tapia also used the opportunity to applaud Infantino's wider leadership across his 10 years in charge. He strongly supported the Swiss administrator continuing as the head of the sport.

"As we have already stated, you are leading an administration that has brought about a profound transformation of FIFA; one that has opened the organisation's doors to all member associations and confederations, so that, through frank and direct dialogue, we can all continue to promote football at all levels and across all disciplines," Tapia said.

"In our view, this transformation was built on a model of transparent governance, respect for statutory structures and adherence to democratic procedures.

"Consequently, with the upcoming FIFA Congress fast approaching, the Association that I am proud to chair firmly believes and reaffirms that the way forward is to continue working under your leadership, so that we may continue to develop a better and even more inclusive game of football."

With the next FIFA Congress drawing near, world football remains sharply split on the issue. UEFA and CONCACAF both issued statements on Saturday strongly criticising Infantino's leadership. UEFA specifically said it had lost confidence in the presidency, and that position has not changed despite FIFA's recent apology.

At the same time, South America's governing body CONMEBOL released a statement calling for open dialogue. It also firmly opposed any move to remove Infantino that did not include a democratic vote involving all 211 FIFA members.