KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hailed the re-election of Asian football chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, saying it will help the region move forward in stability.
Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman returned unopposed in the Asian Football Confederation’s presidential election Saturday after two candidates withdrew last month.
Infantino told the AFC Congress that the no-contest was “important to show a united football family in Asia and to move forward in stability.”
Sheikh Salman was absent to attend his mother’s funeral. Infantino led delegates to observe a few minutes of silence to mourn with Sheikh Salman.
Infantino also reiterated that FIFA was still discussing with Qatar the possibility of increasing World Cup teams from 32 to 48 in the 2022 tournament.
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