Amidst lingering questions about FIFA’s influence on African football, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has firmly reiterated his independence and commitment to African leadership.
Motsepe addressed ongoing speculation about his relationship with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and allegations of CAF favouring Morocco, a nation with close ties to Infantino.
“We will continue this partnership with FIFA [because] it’s very good. We make decisions. I laughed at the beginning [of my term] when people were saying that FIFA tells Patrice what to do,” Motsepe declared.
“I had a number of African heads of state who said, ‘These people don’t know you’. My pride, my dignity and our principles decide what is good for us. I mean, I work with some of the top businessmen in the World. They don’t tell me what to do.
“I will be with Bill Gates next week. We are part of the giving pledge, and we have discussions. I am in meetings with Warren Buffett; these are the top people in the World. They respect me because they know I have a mind of my own, and I expect that from anybody else,” he said.
WHAT MOTSEPE SAID ABOUT GIANNI INFANTINO’S INFLUENCE
Motsepe acknowledged his cordial relationship with Infantino but emphasised their differing priorities.
“It’s a non-issue now. I do understand that this issue was in the context of the fights of the World Cup. Should the World Cup be between four years or should it be two years.
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“In that process, people got all sorts of allegations to try and discredit this region, and I understand that. But I will continue to work together with Gianni [Infantino] and FIFA. I am also excited about his confidence and the confidence and commitment of FIFA.”
The South African billionaire’s comments come as some observers have expressed concern about FIFA’s growing presence in African football, particularly around the last CAF elections that saw Motsepe emerge victorious. Critics alleged that Infantino actively campaigned for Motsepe, effectively installing him as a puppet leader.