Infantino is the right man for football – FIFA Council member

Ahmed Yahya, President of the Mauritanian Football Federation and a member of the FIFA Council, has voiced his support for Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president. Yahya believes that Infantino remains the ideal leader for global football, citing his commitment to equal opportunities and his focus on advancing the sport. He defended Infantino's leadership during discussions on FIFA's governance, financial support, and the need for reforms.

Yahya noted that Infantino apologized to the Executive Committee after withdrawing a proposal, leading to a constructive debate. The Council, Yahya stated, was focused on finding solutions and advancing football's interests, rather than getting bogged down in disagreements. He highlighted the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams as a significant achievement, despite initial opposition.

Yahya also defended FIFA's investment in football development, particularly on the African continent, where he sees tangible benefits for young players. When questioned about calls for governance reforms, Yahya stressed that any changes should be implemented across all levels of football administration, not just at FIFA. He reiterated that Infantino and the FIFA Council are open to proposals that could improve the organization, making it more democratic, organized, and efficient.

Yahya also addressed allegations of a rescinded red card involving Balogun and Peace Prize, explaining that the Disciplinary Committee had overturned the decision based on its regulations. He noted that rescinding red cards is not uncommon in football history. Lastly, Yahya confirmed that the nomination process for Infantino's successor remains open until November 18, but emphasized that the majority of associations and confederations continue to back the current president.