Alex Ferguson throws weight behind Gianni Infantino bid

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson on Wednesday became the latest high-profile football figure to declare his support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidential bid.

“In my role as ambassador to UEFA over the last few years I’ve got to know Gianni very well,” Ferguson, 74, said in a video message posted on Infantino’s campaign website.

“I must say that all the help he’s given me has been without question really, really valuable to me.

“I think he’s got good professionalism, discipline, organizational ability and knowledge of the game and I wish him every success in his quest to be a FIFA president.”

Ferguson joins fellow managerial greats Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello in announcing their support for UEFA general secretary Infantino.

SEE MORE: Jose Mourinho and stars endorse Infantino’s FIFA bid

“I’m grateful to Sir Alex for his support,” Infantino said. “It means a lot to me coming from one of football’s most respected and accomplished managers.

“I’m also grateful to the growing number of FIFA’s member associations and confederations that have now pledged their support to me.

“I am humbled by this and in their belief that I am the right candidate to help take FIFA forward into a new era of trust.”

Infantino, 45, has also received pledges of support from European governing body UEFA and the South American confederation, CONMEBOL.

He is up against Bahrain’s Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, a former FIFA vice-president, and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France in the vote of FIFA federations on February 26.