\n<\/p>\n
Since summoning the Fifa management board to Rabat on 5 August to discuss FFE, Infantino has been on a tour of the world to cement his position.<\/p>\n
To Colombia for the inauguration of the country’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella. Then visiting a Fifa-funded youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic. <\/p>\n
At the weekend, he was at the Fifa Asean Cup final in Jakarta, Indonesia. And this week, an African football conference in Cape Verde.<\/p>\n
It has been business as usual for the Swiss-Italian.<\/p>\n
But there remains a rudimentary split in world football. Uefa, Concacaf and Asia against Infantino; Africa, South America and Oceania in support.<\/p>\n
It raises the prospect that Infantino will be returned despite only carrying the backing of roughly half of Fifa’s 211 members. <\/p>\n
It is the funding model which has made Infantino’s position so impenetrable, even in the face of accusations that he had worked against the wider interests of the game.<\/p>\n
“We have invested $1bn in 10 years in Africa,” Infantino told the assembled delegates in Cape Verde.<\/p>\n
At the same event, and for the third time this year, the 54 African nations – carrying more than a quarter of the votes – pledged their unconditional support.<\/p>\n
Not only does that buy votes, it buys loyalty too. <\/p>\n
And, away from Europe – which has 55 votes – Infantino has that in bucketloads.<\/p>\n
Uefa wants a president who is “a respected and unifying figure, deeply rooted in football” with “an unequivocal commitment to development, reform, integrity and independence”.<\/p>\n
But it has not been able to identify that person itself.<\/p>\n
Victor Montagliani, the president of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), had been put forward as the most credible opponent. A non-European who could unify opposition to Infantino, and perhaps get others to swap sides.<\/p>\n
Yet the Canadian never publicly said he even wanted the job, or to be the face of the campaign against Infantino. <\/p>\n
Montagliani has told staff that he intends to stand for re-election with Concacaf,<\/a> ending any suggestion that he could enter the race at the last moment.<\/p>\n While Infantino’s opponents try to find a candidate, Infantino has effectively been out on the campaign trail, clasping hands, taking up photo opportunities. <\/p>\n