Tuesday 9 February 2016 15:14, UK
Europe's leading clubs have given their support to UEFA interim chief Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidential campaign, according to the European Club Association.
ECA vice-chairman Umberto Gandini announced the decision at a news conference during the general assembly of the umbrella organisation, which represents over 200 clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea.
"We know Gianni very well. He has been instrumental in the creation of the relationship between UEFA and the ECA," Gandini, who is also a director of AC Milan, said.
"We see his candidacy as a nice opportunity for him which hopefully will benefit football worldwide. He has the skills to perform very well."
The independent ECA, which replaced the G14 group of leading clubs in 2008, has two representatives on the UEFA executive committee but no direct role in the presidential voting which is conducted by FIFA's 209 members.
The other candidates in the election are Bahrain's Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, ex-FIFA vice president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne and South African Tokyo Sexwale, a former political prisoner who was jailed alongside Nelson Mandela.
Infantino and Asian Football Confederation chief Salman are the front-runners to replace former president Sepp Blatter in the February 26 vote at FIFA, which has been embroiled in a huge corruption scandal with 41 people and entities indicted by the US Department of Justice.
Salman has the backing of his own AFC and the Confederation of African Football, while Swiss Infantino, has the support of his European organisation along with the 10-member South American confederation CONMEBOL.
Meanwhile, Prince Ali has backed the suggestion by the Liberian Football Association that the head of FIFA's Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee, Domenico Scala, should step down as he has the same nationality as Infantino.
In a statement, he said: "The February 26 FIFA presidential election is not for the candidates, it's for FIFA member associations. They must have full confidence that the integrity of the election is beyond question.
"If any member association has concerns about the impartiality of the electoral process, those concerns must be respected and taken seriously.
"The suggestion by the Liberian Football Association that the head of FIFA's Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee should step down is a valid request and in keeping with the precedent set by the committee chairman exactly one year ago - February 9, 2015 - before the last FIFA election.
"Avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest is particularly important at a time when people around the world, including players and fans, are questioning FIFA's integrity and ethical standards.
"Acceding to this request would not be a mark of shame. It would be a sign of respect for a member association and an indication that FIFA has high ethical standards.
"If FIFA requires a presidential candidate to raise concerns before FIFA will act on a valid request from a member association president, I will stand with the president of the Liberian Football Association, Musa Bility, and state publicly that I back his request."
