Rift deepens as Asia football chief hits back at Qatar in Infantino saga

The rift within Asian football grew wider on Tuesday as the region's top official, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, hit back at Qatar over his move to join Uefa and Concacaf in targeting Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Infantino has been the subject of harsh criticism since unveiling, and subsequently withdrawing, a scheme to introduce private investment into Fifa competitions, including World Cups.

Last week, a joint letter from Uefa, Concacaf, and the AFC denounced Infantino's plan, asserting that "football belongs to no individual." Qatar's football chief, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, expressed dissatisfaction in a letter to the AFC, questioning why neither he nor his association had been consulted before the statement was issued. He demanded an explanation regarding the basis of the AFC's authority to speak for all 47 member associations, including Qatar.

In response, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa denied exceeding his authority, stating that he acted within the legal mandate provided by the AFC's constitution. He categorically rejected any suggestion that his involvement in the joint statement was unauthorized or that the AFC erred in participating. The Bahraini president emphasized the AFC's responsibility to protect the interests and values of the sport and highlighted the inconsistency of remaining silent in such circumstances.

The AFC, along with Uefa and Concacaf, had been vocal in their condemnation of Infantino's sell-off plan, even after it was abandoned. In their final letter, the three confederations accused Infantino of fostering silence where accountability should exist and distance where openness was required.

Infantino has maintained his stance as president, receiving full backing from senior Fifa directors during an emergency meeting he convened in Morocco two weeks ago.