The Malta FA have yet to declare which candidate they are going to support in the next Fifa presidential election but their cautious stance is not a cause of concern for Uefa according to general secretary Gianni Infantino.
Michel Platini, the Uefa president, is running for Fifa president following Sepp Blatter’s decision to step aside in the coming months but Prince Ali of Jordan, who enjoyed the backing of several European associations at the last Fifa election, including the Malta FA, is also standing for February’s election.
“We have excellent relations with the MFA,” Infantino told a news conference following the Uefa Executive Committee meeting this afternoon, held at the Westin Dragonara Resort over the past two days.
“There is time as the election is on February 26. Discussions are going on with all the national associations all over the world.
“Platini is discussing with everyone.
“Our relationship with the MFA is excellent and there’s nothing we are worried or concerned about for the future.”
Infantino said the Fifa presidency issue had not been discussed during this week’s Exco meeting which followed a two-day gathering of the Top Executive Programme (TEP) that comprises the presidents and general secretaries of the 54 national associations affiliated with Uefa.
Asked about Prince Ali’s decision to re-enter the race for Fifa president, Infantino refrained from commenting but said that Platini is focusing on his bid and his own policies.
Infantino was full of praise for the Malta FA, saying the organisation of the TEP and Uefa Exco meetings over the past four days had been excellent.
“I want to thank Norman Darmanin Demajo and Bjorn Vassallo for the great organisation,” Infantino said.
“We have spent five days here as, apart from the Exco, we also organised a gathering of all the 54 presidents and general secretaries of the national association within Uefa.
“The organisation has been excellent. We have been working with the MFA on many projects.
“Malta is a small island but at Uefa we have created a positive climate where everyone is included.
“Besides, Malta is very close to Italy, most of the people speak Italy and that further facilitates the relationship as both the president and I speak Italian.
“Malta is a football-crazy island. We are very much looking forward to strengthening this relationship with the MFA.”