{
  "id": 16169010,
  "title": "Asian confederation boss backs Infantino's reelection bid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/asian-confederation-boss-backs-infantinos-reelection-bid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T09:22:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20261023/asian-confederation-boss-backs-infantinos-reelection-bid"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tokyo - The leader of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, has publicly backed Gianni Infantino's campaign for a second term as FIFA president, just two months after publicly criticizing the football chief's plans to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments as a breach of trust. Infantino had faced calls for his resignation over his attempt in July to involve private investors in a new commercial entity that held rights linked to competitions, including the World Cup. In response to these criticisms, Infantino apologized during a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich and is now up for reelection in March of next year. The support of the Asian bloc could be crucial for Infantino's reelection bid. At the AFC's extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, Sheikh Salman reportedly reconciled his differences with Infantino and reaffirmed his full commitment to supporting his leadership as he seeks a new mandate as FIFA president.",
  "summary": "TOKYO — Asian Football Confederation head Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for reelection as FIFA president on Friday, just two months after describing his plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments as a \"breach of trust\". Infantino faced calls to resign over his failed attempt in July to bring private investors into a new commercial entity holding rights linked…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Asian football confederation backs Infantino’s re-election bid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/asian-football-confederation-backs-infantinos-re-election-bid",
        "published": "2026-10-23T10:29:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}