A growing rift within Asian football has intensified after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa rejected a Qatari challenge to the confederation’s decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino has faced mounting criticism since launching and withdrawing within days a proposal to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
The controversy escalated last week when the AFC, UEFA and CONCACAF issued a joint statement declaring that “football belongs to no individual” and calling for greater accountability under Infantino’s leadership.
Infantino’s critics have urged him to step down over the failed plan, which reportedly involved selling stakes in World Cup-related competitions.
Qatar Challenges AFC Decision
The dispute widened after reports quoted Qatar Football Association president Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani as saying that neither he nor the QFA had been consulted before the joint statement was issued.
Al-Thani reportedly demanded an explanation over why Qatar had not been consulted and questioned the basis on which the AFC could speak on behalf of its 47 member associations, including Qatar.
Sheikh Salman has now rejected the suggestion that he acted beyond his authority.
In a letter seen Tuesday, the Bahraini said he participated in the joint statement “within the legal mandate given to me in the AFC’s constitution”.
“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 said.
He added that the AFC has a responsibility to protect the interests and values of football across Asia.
“The AFC is the custodian of football in Asia and its president has a responsibility to protect the interests and values of the sport,” he said.
“In circumstances such as those giving rise to the joint statement it would be inconsistent with that responsibility to remain silent.”
Infantino Under Pressure
The AFC, CONCACAF and UEFA have continued to criticise Infantino despite the withdrawal of the private investment proposal.
In their joint letter last week, the three confederations accused FIFA’s leadership of failing to provide sufficient accountability and transparency.
They said that under Infantino’s leadership, “there is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness”.
Infantino has resisted calls to step down and continues to hold the FIFA presidency.
Two weeks ago, he convened an emergency meeting in Morocco where he received the “full support” of senior FIFA directors.
The latest dispute between the AFC and Qatar adds another layer to the growing controversy surrounding Infantino’s leadership and threatens to deepen divisions within Asian football.
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