Infantino has ‘full confidence’ in Samoura amid ethics issue

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ZURICH (AP) FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he retains ''full confidence'' in secretary general Fatma Samoura after an attempt to embroil her in an ethics investigation.

Samoura has expressed irritation at ''totally ridiculous and baseless'' claims she broke FIFA rules by not declaring an alleged conflict of interest in the 2026 World Cup bidding contest.

FIFA has not specified the exact nature of the complaint or the progress of any ethics investigation after it was alleged she was a relative of former Senegal player El Hadji Diouf, who is an ambassador for Morocco's bid.

Samoura insisted on Wednesday the former Liverpool forward ''is not a member of my family and therefore everything is crystal clear.''

FIFA's top administrator received a public show of support from Infantino.

''I can confirm my full confidence in Fatma Samoura to lead the FIFA administration,'' Infantino said in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday.

The former United Nations official was hired by Infantino in 2016 months after he was elected as Sepp Blatter's successor.

Morocco is due to take on a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico in the June 13 vote for the 2026 World Cup host.