Prince Ali Pledges Cooperation with AFC Review After Criticizing Congress
October 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali bin Hussein said he would cooperate with any Asian Football Confederation judicial review after criticizing the handling of its extraordinary congress in Tokyo.
The AFC said it would refer his statements to its judicial bodies following his accusation that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had used last week’s congress for political purposes.
Prince Ali had said delegates were not allowed to speak, ask questions or debate issues. At the meeting, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Infantino’s re-election.
The AFC disputed Prince Ali’s account on Tuesday, saying neither he nor representatives of other member associations had requested to speak. It said allegations involving coercion, threats or bribery required credible evidence.
In a post on X late on Wednesday, Prince Ali said he respected the AFC’s judicial bodies and would cooperate fully with any process.
He clarified that his earlier reference to coercion, threats and bribery expressed a general electoral principle rather than an allegation against an individual. His post was intended to explain the FIFA presidential voting process and emphasize transparency in football governance, he said.
Prince Ali also said the Jordan Football Association would vote independently in the FIFA presidential election, in accordance with FIFA statutes. He said any concerns should be addressed through the competent bodies and that he would make no further comment while the matter was under consideration.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking re-election in March. The AFC’s endorsement followed a dispute three months earlier over his subsequently abandoned proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions.
Source: Reuters.
