Key facts
- Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Fifa President Gianni Infantino of hijacking the AFC Congress.
- He stated that no one was allowed to speak, question, debate, or talk to the media.
- Prince Ali claimed "no amount of coercion, threats or bribes should be allowed."
- AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Infantino's re-election bid.
Prince Ali bin Hussein, head of Jordan's Football Association, accused Fifa President Gianni Infantino of using the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress for political purposes ahead of his re-election bid. At the congress in Tokyo on Friday, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Infantino's candidacy for a fourth term. Prince Ali, a vocal critic of Fifa's leadership, stated on X that the congress was "pure politics at the behest of Gianni Infantino" and that participants were not allowed to speak, question, debate, or talk to the media. He added that "no amount of coercion, threats or bribes should be allowed." Infantino also addressed the congress, receiving Sheikh Salman's backing. In August, Prince Ali had accused Infantino of "blackmail" over an alleged offer to help solve Jordan's problems in exchange for endorsement.