UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, the current front-runner ahead of Friday’s FIFA presidential election, has rejected claims of financial irresponsibility from fellow nominee Sheikh Salman.
Salman spoke with the Associated Press on Tuesday, asserting that Infantino’s proposal to increase payouts for the 209 member federations will bankrupt the football governing body.
Related: FIFA presidential nominee Salman slams Infantino’s payout proposal
On Wednesday, Infantino – who is widely considered to be one of three favourites for FIFA’s top job, alongside Salman and Prince Ali of Jordan – rebuffed the Bahraini head of the Asian Football Confederation’s assertions that his plan to increase cash payouts to $5 million per federation will deplete the organization’s reserves of $1.523 billion.
“To all 209 associations, be sure that what is promised there is not only feasible but is easy to deliver and FIFA will be as financially stable as never before,” Infantino told the Associated Press’ Rob Harris.
“My objective is also to increase significantly the revenues of FIFA. I think my track record in UEFA speaks for itself in this respect.”
Much of Salman’s concerns revolve around the fact that corruption charges and controversy surrounding world football’s governing party has curbed the amount of sponsorship involvement, which he says puts the viability of Infantino’s proposal even further into question.
Salman’s argument, coupled with his claim that he knows “a few sponsors that are ready which have not signed (to) a contract yet who are ready to sign once I’m elected,” has left the two front-runners on opposite sides of what’s become a game of economic tug of war.
Even with Salman’s pleas, Infantino says that the practicality of increased payouts is directly related to once again increasing FIFA’s standing as an ethical corporation.
“Once FIFA’s image and reputation has been rebuilt it will be easier to generate more revenue and have more funds at our disposal for development of football, which is what FIFA should do to start with,” Infantino added.
Infantino’s proposed increasing of cash payouts from the $2.05 million federations received from 2011-14 – in addition to other payouts – would be funneled into development projects, and also assist with operational costs for each of FIFA’s 209 federations.
“When I propose these things and when I propose these development funds and grants, not only am I sure and confident it can be delivered but this will be easy to deliver,” Infantino said. “When you generate only $5 billion to distribute $1.2 or $1.3 billion is easy. My goal is to do much more. My goal is give 50 percent of FIFA’s revenue to the national associations.”
With only three days until FIFA’s next president is elected, Infantino appears confident that his financial proposals are rooted in common sense.
“If there is one thing I know about,” he said, “it is figures.”
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