Motsepe: Infantino Can Only Be Removed Through FIFA Election

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has insisted that Gianni Infantino’s future as FIFA president must be decided through the organisation’s established electoral process.

Motsepe, who is also a FIFA vice-president, made the comments amid growing calls from some continental football bodies for Infantino to step aside.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF have reportedly criticised the FIFA president following controversy surrounding a proposal involving commercial stakes in the World Cup.

The confederations have called for greater accountability and questioned Infantino’s leadership, with some reportedly opposed to his seeking another term.

CAF, however, remains among the confederations supporting Infantino’s continued leadership of world football.

Motsepe stressed that any attempt to remove the FIFA president must follow the organisation’s statutes rather than take place through external pressure.

“If anybody has got any problem against anybody, whether it’s Gianni, whether it is anybody else, follow the process, follow the FIFA process, simple as that,” Motsepe told Sky News.

“If you want to take him out, go for elections; let the 211 member associations decide.”

The CAF president also cautioned against undermining the electoral process ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.

“You’ve got to be very careful. There are elections taking place next year. Shouldn’t we allow that process to continue?” he added.

Motsepe’s comments underline CAF’s position that Infantino’s future should ultimately be determined by FIFA’s 211 member associations through the ballot rather than by demands for his resignation.