Asian Football Tensions Rise as AFC President Responds to Qatar's Concerns

A split in Asian football got worse on Tuesday. The top official of the region responded to a challenge from Qatar about the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino has faced heavy criticism since he proposed a plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cups. He withdrew this plan within days after backlash.

Last week, the three confederations, including the AFC, sent a joint letter saying that “football belongs to no individual.” Infantino faced fresh criticism over his failed plan to sell shares in the World Cup.

Reports say that Qatar Football Association president Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani wrote to the AFC. He claimed he and the QFA were not consulted before the joint statement was made.

The Qatari football chief asked why there was no consultation and how the AFC could represent its 47 member associations, including Qatar.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa responded. He denied stepping out of line, saying he acted “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,” the Bahraini leader said in a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday.

“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 continued.

“In situations like those that led to the joint statement, it would be wrong to stay silent.”

The AFC, CONCACAF, and UEFA have been vocal against Infantino’s plan to sell off World Cup stakes. They have not held back even after the plan was dropped.

The confederations concluded their letter last week by stating that under Infantino’s leadership “there is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness.”

Infantino has stood firm in his role as president. He received the “full support” of key FIFA directors during an emergency meeting he held in Morocco two weeks ago.