Africa tour isn’t to influence CAF elections - Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has denied suggestions that his tour of several African countries is part of a grand plan to influence support for Dr Ahmad of Madagascar in his bid to unseat sitting CAF president Isaa Hayatou.

Infantino stopped over in Accra after visiting South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda where he has been interacting with several heads of national federations across Africa. But it was his presence at a party organised by Cosafa chairman Phillip Chiyangwa, which CAF suggested was part of a ploy to destabilise the body that has raised eyebrows.

He is adamant however that he is in no way attempting to influence the CAF presidential elections which would come off on March 16th 2017. “I am going to every association that invites me and to those that didn’t invite me because I am the president of 211 in the world including 54 in Africa,” Infantino said in response to a question from TV3 Network’s Nana Kojo Afreh about the issue.

“It is not up to the FIFA president to decide anything when it comes to happen in the CAF congress and presidency. There are delegates entitled to vote and make up their minds and to vote freely according to what they want. The federations and their presidents are big enough to take their own decisions.”