Fifa in Africa: has Gianni Infantino really helped football development?

Gianni Infantino might have backed down from his proposal to sell a minority stake of Fifa to corporate investors and he may be facing a backlash from all sides , but the steady commercialisation of the game continues.

Gerard A.

Akindes studies the political economy of African football.

His work traces how capital, corporate interests and broadcasting networks influence the sport in a globalised world.

We asked him some questions.

What role does Fifa play in African football? Fifa is the global governing body for football.

Its main job is to set and enforce the rules of the game, organise major international tournaments like the World Cups, and oversee the sport’s development.

To do this, it works through six continental confederations, one of which is Caf in Africa.

Caf implements global standards and manages Africa-wide and regional national and club competitions.

Most of its revenue is generated by running the Africa Cup of Nations tournament and from financial support from Fifa.

Fifa’s role is complicated.

It provides critical developmental aid, but this makes African football economically dependent on it.

As I will explain, this can also fuel African institutional dysfunction.

Schools were traditionally the primary breeding ground for young African athletes after independence.