A widening rift within Asian football over the future of FIFA has erupted into the open, as Qatar challenged the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in a concerted attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is under mounting pressure.
In a letter to AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani said neither he nor the QFA were consulted before the three continental bodies issued an open letter on Monday that claimed to speak on behalf of their members.
Infantino, who is seeking re-election next year, has faced a wave of opposition after UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF criticized his conduct and called for him to resign over plans to bring private capital into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, which were later abandoned.
"A common position must first be verified; it cannot be assumed, and it cannot be created by a statement," Al-Thani, a member of the AFC Executive Committee and the FIFA Council, wrote in the letter cited by Reuters.
He demanded the AFC explain what consultations had taken place and on what basis it authorized itself to speak for its 47 member associations.
The intervention exposes divisions within the AFC at a critical moment in the battle over Infantino's leadership.
In the letter to the AFC President, Al-Thani said: "Neither the QFA nor I personally... were consulted, either formally or informally, before the statement was issued.
"No prior notice was given, no draft was circulated, and no opportunity was provided to provide input or contribute to the content before it was publicly released in the name of the AFC and on behalf of AFC members."
The challenge follows six Arab football federations – including Qatar and Morocco, co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup – voicing support for Infantino on Thursday amid FIFA's crisis following the failed private investment proposal.
Four of the six signatories – including Al-Thani, Egyptian FA head Hany Abo Rida, Moroccan FA chief Fouzi Lekjaa and Mauritanian FA president Ahmed Yahya – also sit on the FIFA Council.
"We appreciate Infantino's tireless efforts to promote global football, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the sport's role in bringing people and communities together," the leaders said.
Infantino had previously proposed spinning off the World Cup commercial rights and selling 20% to private investors to raise about $4.2 billion, before abandoning the plan amid fierce backlash.
