FIFA President Gianni Infantino has found support from the heads of six Arab soccer federations amid the severe criticism around his failed World Cup sell-off plan. The support comes as a big relief for the FIFA president, who is fighting to keep his job after UEFA and other major football confederations took a strong stance against his controversial proposal.

The backing has come from 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan, with four of the signatories being FIFA council members.

“We, the undersigned leaders of our respective football associations, express our full support for Mr Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and continued commitment to the development of football worldwide,” the statement read.

“We deeply appreciate Mr Infantino’s sustained efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game’s role in bringing people and communities together.”

The statement added that “look forward to continuing our close cooperation with him towards a stronger and more prosperous future for world football, expanding opportunities and further enhancing Arab football’s contribution to the global game.”

Why Is Infantino Facing Backlash?

Gianni Infantino’s position as FIFA President came under the scanner after he proposed a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. However, this left UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation members furious. UEFA even threatened legal action and a boycott of FIFA tournaments, forcing Infantino to withdraw the $20 billion proposal. UEFA issued an open statement, saying Infantino’s plan was a “fundamental breach of trust” and described it as “deception.”

By expressing support for Infantino, Qatar and Lebanon aligned against the Asian Football Confederation. Infantino’s official Instagram account previously has posted letters of support from several member federations, including Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The four FIFA council members among the signatories were Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida, Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and Mauritanian Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya.

The other two were Lebanese Football Association president Hashem Haidar and Moatasem Gafar, president of the Sudan Football Association.

Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and seemed sure to be re-elected unopposed next March in Morocco. FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.

(With Inputs From AP)