DistantNews
Support us
Infantino accused of 'blackmail' as rejection of his FIFA re-election grows
🇧🇴 Bolivia /Sports

Infantino accused of 'blackmail' as rejection of his FIFA re-election grows

From El Deber · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The president of the Jordan Football Association accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of "blackmail" and stated he will not support Infantino's re-election.
  • Prince Ali bin Al Hussein cited "enormous obstacles" faced by the Jordanian association during the World Cup, including visa issues for fans and unexpected taxes.
  • He also alleged FIFA has delayed prize money from the Arab Cup and refused to help with other matters, questioning the leadership's ethics.

Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA), has accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of "blackmail" and declared he will not back Infantino's bid for re-election. The accusation comes as Infantino faces scrutiny over his leadership of world football's governing body.

During the World Cup, it was verbally communicated to me that if I supported Infantino, I would greatly contribute to helping our federation.

— Prince Ali bin Al HusseinAccusing FIFA President Gianni Infantino of pressuring him for support.

Al Hussein, speaking on X, detailed "enormous obstacles" his association encountered during the recent World Cup, where Jordan participated for the first time. He claimed that Jordanian fans with tickets faced difficulties obtaining U.S. visas, and that the Jordanian government, through FIFA, was being charged taxes for the team's participation. "This did not happen with those who played and stayed in Canada and Mexico. But as we were in the United States, we now face these enormous fiscal costs for our participation," Al Hussein stated.

This did not happen with those who played and stayed in Canada and Mexico. But as we were in the United States, we now face these enormous fiscal costs for our participation.

— Prince Ali bin Al HusseinDetailing financial and administrative hurdles faced by the Jordanian team during the World Cup.

Furthermore, the JFA president alleged that FIFA has withheld prize money from the Arab Cup final, despite the organization's reported billions in reserves. "It is clear that the problem lies in the leadership. For months, FIFA has refused to help us in these and other matters," Al Hussein said, emphasizing that his federation upholds "ethical values."

It is clear that the problem lies in the direction. For months, FIFA has refused to help us in these and other matters.

— Prince Ali bin Al HusseinExpressing frustration with FIFA's lack of support for the Jordan Football Association.

When asked about supporting Infantino for a third term in March 2027, Al Hussein firmly stated, "We did not support him before, and we certainly will not do so now. But this entire situation constitutes blackmail, and we refuse to yield." Infantino's leadership has faced increasing criticism, particularly in Europe, following the failure of his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup.

We did not support him before, and we certainly will not do so now. But this entire situation constitutes blackmail, and we refuse to yield.

— Prince Ali bin Al HusseinDeclaring his opposition to Infantino's re-election and denouncing the alleged pressure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Deber in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog