By Our Correspondent, KIGALI Rwanda
Despite criticism from European members of the soccer ruling body, Infantino was re-elected with no opponent. He had suggested FIFA's achievements under his leadership would keep an industry CEO in the job "forever."
Gianni Infantino was re-elected FIFA president on Thursday after running without an opponent. His term is until 2027.
The 52-year-old Swiss lawyer won by acclaim instead of a formal vote by the congress of 211 member federations.
The voting system, however, did not register the number of dissident voices.
"To all those who love me, and I know there are so many, and also those who hate me, I know there are a few: I love you all," Infantino told delegates during the 73rd Congress in Kigali.
After the World Cup in Qatar ended in December, FIFA had some $4 billion (€ 3.77 billion) reserves — and Infantino thinks there's more to come.
FIFA has projected a record revenue of $11 billion through the men's 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
"If a CEO tells the stakeholders that the products were multiplied by seven I believe that they would keep that CEO forever," Infantino told FIFA members. "They would love for this story to keep on going."
"But I am here for a four-year cycle only," said Infantino.
The Swiss lawyer first took the position in 2016 after Sepp Blatter was removed from office following a corruption crisis.
FIFA allows presidents to have a maximum of three four-year terms. Since Infantino was initially elected to replace Blatter, he has argued that his first three years did not count as a full term, and he is likely to remain at the helm of the soccer ruling body until 2031. - Africa
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