The heads of six Arab football federations expressed their “full support” and “confidence” in Gianni Infantino yesterday as the embattled FIFA president fights to keep his job after his failed World Cup private-investment plan.

The backing came from 2030 World Cup co-hosts 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.