The FAI have come out in support of Gianni Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential vote, which takes place in Zurich next month.
FAI chief John Delaney believes that the Swiss administrator is the right man to replace the controversial outgoing president Sepp Blatter
“The Association will be supporting Gianni Infantino,” said Delaney, speaking to RTÉ Sport this afternoon.
“He’s currently the general secretary of UEFA. And we were out in UEFA last Friday, where he made a presentation to all the UEFA countries and national associations in terms of his strategies and his vision for world football.
“We’re very pleased to support him. We’ve known Gianni a long time. He’s travelled around the world four times already since November to meet the different federations and national associations. Twice more, I believe, before the election.
“But more importantly when you look at his policies and visions; certainly they are ones that we would support and I wish him well in his endeavours.”
Delaney admits that whoever succeeds at the Hallenstadion FIFA vote has a very difficult task ahead after what has been a controversial year for the world governing body.
“It is a difficult job. To be president of FIFA is a very difficult role, because you’re merging, not only structures but you’re merging cultures.
“But he (Infantino) set out a very strong vision as to how to clean up FIFA. I don’t think there has been a better opportunities to clean FIFA up because there has been so much negativity around FIFA over the last 12 months in particular.
“And out of those depths of depression there is always a great opportunity for a renaissance. I know the Olympic movement after Salt Lake City really cleaned its act up and whoever becomes president of FIFA, I wish them well in terms of cleaning FIFA up.”
