CAF president Patrice Motsepe has once again responded to the allegations that the African Confederation is controlled by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Ahmad Ahmad, a former CAF president, is one of those who have accused the region of being controlled by FIFA for strategic reasons.
It is not the first time that Motsepe has been accused of being controlled by Infantino since he began his tenure. But speaking in a media briefing ahead of the opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Motsepe once again lashed out at those that suggest that ‘he has no mind of his own’.
PATRICE MOTSEPE REFUTES ALLEGATIONS OF BEING CONTROLLED BY GIANNI 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,” said Motsepe.
“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 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 added.
WHY FIFA IS ACCUSED OF MEDDLING IN CAF AFFAIRS?
Motsepe has also explained where he believes the accusations come from and reassured his commitment to work alongside FIFA.
“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.
“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.”
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