AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa had previously backed opposition to the plan to sell ‌off the commercial rights of the World Cup

The head of the Asian Football Confederation said ⁠on Friday the regional body would support Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as Fifa president.

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, had previously backed opposition to Infantino’s failed plan to sell ‌off the commercial rights to Fifa tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.

He had joined with the presidents of Uefa and Concacaf to pen an open letter calling the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan formulated by Infantino ⁠a “fundamental breach of trust”.

Infantino apologised at this month’s Fifa Council ‌and told attendees to submit any questions they had about his governance in writing so he ‌could answer them at the next meeting.

In Sheikh Salman’s ⁠opening remarks ⁠at the AFC’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo, the Bahraini said the region supported ‌Infantino.

“I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you ‌and your ‌leadership as you seek a new mandate as a ‌Fifa president,” he said in comments directed at the Swiss, ⁠who was present at the meeting.

“I think you’ve visited a lot ⁠of countries in Asia. I’ve spoken to a lot of members within this continent.

“I know your feeling. And ‌I think your ‌commitment is clear as well. Your support to Gianni is very clear.”

The AFC has 47 member confederations and, even if all the members do not follow the direction of Sheikh Salman, those votes could be key to guaranteeing another mandate for Infantino.

The Fifa president is up for re-election in March as he seeks a fourth term until 2031. The deadline for candidates to file against Infantino is November 18. So far no one has filed.