FIFA Race - Sexwale Hopes Diminish as Infantino Momentum Builds

(ATR)After failing to win the South African FA's support on Tuesday, Tokyo Sexwale’s low-key campaign could grind to a halt on Friday when Africa’s football chiefs select their favored FIFA candidate.

As reported by Around the Rings earlier this week, yesterday’s meeting was a crucial indication of support for the multimillionaire businessman. There was precious little. The South African FA, who backed him in October, refused to endorse him again following an election campaign that has lacked conviction and serious pledges to reform scandal-hit FIFA.

Unless Sexwale can secure the backing of the Confederation of African Football in Kigali, Rwanda on Feb. 5 - which seems highly unlikely - his campaign is all but dead in the water.

Sexwale updated SAFA leaders, including former 2010 World Cup CEO Danny Jordaan. He reportedly described Sexwale's report to officials as "comprehensive". Tellingly, Jordaan declined the opportunity to praise Sexwale’s efforts.

"We will hear from CAF feedback and take it from there," Jordaan told reporters at a briefing. "We will take it after the meeting in Kigali."

On Wednesday, SAFA spokesman Dominic Chimhavi declined to elaborate on the executive committee’s discussions about Sexwale’s stuttering campaign and whether SAFA had asked Sexwale to withdraw his FIFA candidacy. He told ATR only that "SAFA will be guided by the CAF decision on Friday."

As Sexwale’s campaign limps to what seems an inevitable end, his four rivals for the FIFA presidency are picking up endorsements, some reporting them more than others.

There is momentum building behind UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino, who has more than 30 expressions of support from federations. But most of his endorsements are from Europe, South and Central America. Infantino has yet to announce any African or Asian supporters. And he knows as well as the other contenders that pledges can be converted into votes for others in the frenetic round of lobbying that will characterize the next 23 days until the election.

On Wednesday, the 45-year-old confirmed support from Russia, Denmark and Moldova, taking European backing to 21 associations. Already he has seven FA chiefs from UNCAF pledging to back him – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama. Four Caribbean associations – Barbados, Grenada, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago - have also expressed their intention to vote for him.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson today backed his quest to ascend the FIFA throne, becoming the 39th celebrity or ex-footballer to throw their support behind him via videos on his campaign website.

A total of 105 votes from the 209 FIFA member federations will be enough to win the FIFA election on Feb. 26.

Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al Khalifa remains favorite to secure the FIFA presidency, backed by most of Asia and banking on significant African support. His prospects will be massively enhanced if he can earn the official endorsement of African football leaders on Friday. Rival candidates Jerome Champagne and Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein will also be lobbying hard for support in Kigali this week.

Written by Mark Bisson

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