FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of member associations in his bid for re-election despite criticism of his aborted World Cup selloff plan.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rallied behind Infantino on Friday in a significant boost to the 56-year-old’s hopes of winning a fourth term in charge.

Infantino’s future in the role was in doubt two months ago when he faced a furious backlash to his plan to sell off a portion of the commercial rights of competitions run by football’s world governing body to private investors.

The heads of European football’s governing body UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF, which runs the game in North and Central America, signed a letter saying football “belongs to no individual”.

But Infantino, who apologised last week for the failed private investment project, is now in a strong position to secure re-election in March.

“I think what is important is that in an organisation like FIFA, there can be different views, different points of view,” Infantino told the Tidesports source on Saturday.

“But if we are serious about democracy, about the democratic process, about believing that everyone has the same vote and the same voice all over the world, that football belongs to everyone, if we are serious about that, then we need to respect as well the views of the vast, vast majority.

“I’m just coming back from Tokyo where the Asian Football Confederation has fully endorsed me. I was in Cape Verde where all African countries have endorsed me. I’m speaking to all associations everywhere in the world.”

No other candidate has yet come forward to oppose Infantino with the deadline to do so less than a month away on November 18.

He added: “There are different points of view it’s not always easy to bring them all under one roof but we need to respect and I do respect all opinions all views and then it will be up to the FIFA member associations to decide who they want as a president and how they want FIFA to be run.”

Como backed up their brilliant Champions League victory over Manchester United as Anastasios Douvikas scored twice in a 2-0 Serie A win against Sassuolo on Saturday.

Cesc Fabregas’s side climbed to fourth in the table, just two points adrift of early leaders Inter Milan who host Fiorentina on Sunday.

Como were frustrated for long periods by a stubborn Sassuolo team, but clinched an ultimately comfortable win courtesy of Douvikas’s two goals in the space of 11 second-half minutes.

The Greece striker has now scored five goals in his last four games, and eight in all competitions in total this season.

Como, who qualified for Europe for the first time in their history last term, thrashed Man United 4-1 in the Champions League in midweek.

Julian Alvarez continued on his road to redemption by scoring the only goal as Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 on Saturday to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points.

Diego Simeone’s side are second, with champions Barca hosting Real Madrid, third, in the Clasico at Camp Nou yesterday.

Alvarez netted for the second consecutive game, having grabbed his first of the season in Atletico’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Stuttgart in midweek.

Atletico supporters hounded Alvarez during his first appearances this season after he tried to force his way out of the club in the summer, but the tension has gradually cooled.

Home fans at the Metropolitano stadium directed a few whistles at the team in general after a slow start, with Deportivo having the best chance of the first half.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved well from Lorenzo Amatucci, while at the other end Diego Simeone’s side lacked spark.

Early in the second half Alvarez found the breakthrough. Alejandro Grimaldo fired in a dangerous low pass towards the far post, where the Argentina international turned it over the line.

Alvarez came close to a second after a slick team move, with Alex Baena slipping him in, but Depor goalkeeper Leo Roman saved the striker’s attempted lob with his face.

The former Manchester City striker looked much closer to his best form in this outing after struggling with some fitness problems earlier in the campaign.

Alexander Sorloth lashed narrowly over from a tight angle as Atletico sought to kill off the game, unsuccessfully.

Deportivo might have levelled in stoppage time with Kevin Sanchez volleying well wide from Adama Traore’s cross when well placed to trouble Oblak.

The Galicians’ best chance came with virtually the last kick of the game, with Oblak saving from Sanchez on his line, when the forward seemed destined to score.

Earlier, Georges Mikautadze snatched a late 2-1 win for Villarreal in a derby clash against Valencia, who had midfielder Harvey Elliott sent off as both sides finished with 10 men.

The Yellow Submarine came from behind to triumph, climbing into mid-table and leaving Javier Aguirre’s Los Che 19th, in the relegation zone.

Pepelu sent Valencia ahead from the penalty spot in the first half before American defender Alex Freeman headed the visitors level at Mestalla stadium after 69 minutes.

Inigo Perez’s Villarreal had Pape Gueye sent off when the Senegal international hit Jose Gaya in the face with his elbow.

However, English midfielder Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, was soon dismissed for two quick yellow cards for apparent dissent.

Villarreal striker Mikautadze broke through in stoppage time, racing through and finishing with aplomb to claim the three points.