Gianni Infantino gets backing of Central American bloc in FIFA election
PANAMA CITY (AP) — The seven-nation group of FIFA member federations in Central America say they will support Gianni Infantino in the world soccer body's presidential election.
The group published a letter signed Monday by its federation presidents pledging votes to the UEFA general secretary in the Feb. 26 FIFA election.
The pledge is a significant bloc of support in the five-man ballot for a candidate from outside voters' home region.
Infantino met the group in Panama ahead of campaigning at the 10-nation CONMEBOL assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay.
The Swiss official opted to visit Latin America instead of attending a candidates event called by European Parliament lawmakers in Brussels on Wednesday.
That meeting lost credibility on Monday when Prince Ali of Jordan and South African business man Tokyo Sexwale withdrew.
