SFA to back Infantino in battle for presidency

The Scottish Football Association has announced its backing for Gianni Infantino in Friday’s scheduled Fifa presidential election.

Uefa general secretary Infantino is standing against Prince Ali of Jordan, Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain, South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne, a former Fifa deputy secretary general from France.

The SFA had previously backed Uefa president Michel Platini before he was suspended from football activity over the receipt of a $2 million (£1.38 million) payment from Fifa, approved by Sepp Blatter.

The Scottish governing body revealed its board had pledged its support for Infantino after reviewing the manifestos of all candidates.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: “The board of the Scottish FA is clear that Gianni Infantino is the best candidate possible to lead the governance reform required at Fifa.

“He has been a highly respected general secretary of Uefa for many years and has performed that role with skill, diplomacy and professional integrity.

“As well as having the support of the majority of Uefa’s national associations, he also has the support of many across the world in other confederations.

“We believe he has the leadership qualities required to push forward change at world football’s governing body and for those reasons we will be voting for Gianni Infantino.”