AFC Judicial Review: Jordan FA to face scrutiny over FIFA president comments
The Asian Football Confederation is examining Prince Ali bin Hussein's claims that delegates were silenced during the Tokyo congress.
By Pedro Barnes ·
Ordinary fans in Jordan will watch how their national football association handles a formal inquiry from the Asian Football Confederation. Prince Ali bin Hussein, the head of the Jordan FA, confirmed on Wednesday that his body will cooperate fully with the AFC's judicial review. This procedural step follows a public dispute regarding the conduct of the AFC Congress held in Tokyo last week.
The conflict began when Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, used the extraordinary congress to endorse Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president. Prince Ali subsequently argued that the session was dominated by political maneuvering. He stated that delegates were blocked from speaking, asking questions, or debating core issues during the final day of proceedings. He described the event as political action carried out at the request of the FIFA chief.
On Tuesday, the AFC responded to these claims. The confederation noted that no member association, including Jordan, had formally requested to speak during the sessions. The AFC acknowledged that accusations of coercion, threats, or bribery are serious matters. However, the body stated that such claims require credible evidence to proceed. It confirmed that Prince Ali's specific remarks would be sent to its internal judicial bodies for examination.
Prince Ali addressed the situation directly on X late on Wednesday. He expressed respect for the AFC's judicial mechanisms. He stated that the Jordan FA would vote independently in the upcoming FIFA presidential election, as required by FIFA Statutes. He clarified that his initial comments were meant to highlight the need for transparency in governance rather than to target a specific individual. He described the principle against coercion as a shared value across the football community.
The Jordanian chief said he would pause public commentary while the AFC panel considers the matter. He identified the competent bodies as the appropriate venue for resolving these concerns. This dispute reflects wider friction over FIFA leadership. Prince Ali has frequently criticized the current administration, while Infantino, who has held the office since 2016, is seeking to retain his position in a vote scheduled for March.
Infantino's bid follows an apology he issued regarding a dropped proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions. The AFC's recent endorsement marks a change in position. Three months earlier, the confederation had accused FIFA of breaching trust over that same abandoned proposal. The AFC's shift in stance has drawn attention to how continental support functions within global football governance.
The judicial review will determine if Prince Ali's statements lead to formal sanctions or are treated as a matter of governance principle. The outcome may influence how future congresses manage delegate participation and the endorsement of global leaders.
