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Asian football rift deepens as AFC chief clashes with Qatar over Infantino

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • A rift in Asian football has widened as the AFC president clashed with Qatar over the confederation's stance on FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
  • Qatar's football chief questioned the AFC's decision to join other confederations in criticizing Infantino without prior consultation.
  • The AFC president defended his actions, stating he acted within his mandate to protect Asian football's interests.

A significant division has emerged within Asian football, escalating as the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) responded to a challenge from Qatar regarding the confederation's position on FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The dispute centers on the AFC's decision to align with UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing Infantino.

I categorically reject any suggestion that my participation in the joint statement exceeded my authority or that the AFC erred in participating in it.

— Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-KhalifaThe AFC president defended his actions in response to Qatar's challenge, asserting his adherence to the confederation's constitution.

Infantino has faced intense scrutiny since proposing, and then quickly withdrawing, a plan to introduce private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. This move drew sharp criticism from the AFC, CONCACAF, and UEFA, who jointly declared in a letter that "football belongs to no individual." Critics are calling for Infantino's resignation over the failed scheme.

The AFC is the custodian of football in Asia, and its president has a responsibility to protect the interests and values of the sport.

— Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-KhalifaThe AFC president explained his rationale for participating in the joint statement criticizing FIFA President Infantino.

The conflict intensified when Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, president of the Qatar Football Association, reportedly wrote to the AFC stating that neither he nor the QFA were consulted before the joint statement was issued. He demanded an explanation for the lack of consultation and questioned the AFC's authority to speak on behalf of its 47 member associations, including Qatar.

In circumstances such as those giving rise to the joint statement, it would be inconsistent with that responsibility to remain silent.

— Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-KhalifaThe AFC president justified his decision to speak out on behalf of Asian football.

In response, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa asserted that he acted within the legal authority granted by the AFC's constitution. He stated in a letter seen by AFP that he "categorically reject[s] any suggestion that my participation in the joint statement exceeded my authority or that the AFC erred in participating in it." He emphasized the AFC president's responsibility to protect the interests and values of football in Asia, adding that remaining silent in such circumstances would be inconsistent with that duty. The AFC, CONCACAF, and UEFA have maintained their criticism of Infantino's plan, even after it was shelved, citing a lack of accountability and openness under his leadership.

football belongs to no individual

— AFC, CONCACAF, and UEFAThis phrase was part of a joint letter from the confederations criticizing FIFA President Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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