Qatar Football Association disputes AFC's joint letter condemning FIFA chief Infantino

Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, president of the Qatar Football Association and AFC Executive Committee member, wrote to AFC chief Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa demanding an explanation for the confederation’s participation in an open letter that attacks FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The letter, also signed by UEFA and CONCACAF, was issued without any formal or informal consultation with Qatar, according to Al-Thani, who noted that no draft was shared and no comment was invited.

He questioned the AFC’s authority to speak on behalf of its 47 member associations. The controversy emerges as six Arab football leaders, including Al-Thani, Egypt’s Hany Abo Rida, Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa and Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya, recently endorsed Infantino despite his failed attempt to sell 20% of World Cup commercial rights for about $4.2 billion. The episode exposes growing divisions within Asian football at a critical moment for Infantino’s re-election bid.