Gianni Infantino re-elected as FIFA boss until 2027

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