Arabic version: قرار مونتالياني يعزز فرص إنفانتينو في إعادة انتخابه

According to BBC News, Gianni Infantino’s prospects of winning another term as Fifa president have been strengthened after Victor Montagliani decided to seek a final term leading Concacaf rather than challenge him.

Montagliani, 61, had been viewed as a possible rival following opposition to Infantino’s unsuccessful proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Sources said the Canadian has told colleagues he will seek another term at Concacaf, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Infantino, 56, has confirmed he will seek a fourth term in March’s presidential election. Uefa, which has led opposition to him, must now find a unifying candidate before the 18 November deadline. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has said he intends to stand, although it is unclear whether he can secure the five supporting letters needed to reach the ballot.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will also seek a fourth term after telling delegates at a meeting of all 55 national association chiefs in Berlin. Ceferin, 58, said he had accepted their request to continue, adding that his aim was to keep European football united and strengthen the game.

Uefa and 54 national associations, with Azerbaijan the exception, also backed a 14-point Fifa reform direction. Its proposals include limiting direct presidential powers, removing presidential or executive interference from ethics and disciplinary oversight, preventing Fifa resources being used for personal or electoral interests, and providing at least $10m (£7.5m) in additional funding to each of Fifa’s 211 member associations.