The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reported Jordan Football Association president Prince Ali bin Hussein to its judicial bodies after he accused Gianni Infantino of hijacking the AFC Congress for his own politics ends.
Infantino appeared at the Asian football governing body’s extraordinary congress meeting in Tokyo last Friday, embracing AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa with a large hug in front of the membership as he delivered his endorsement for the Fifa president’s re-election.
This marked an apparent turnaround in the AFC’s stance from two months ago when it criticised the Swiss Italian for a “fundamental breach of trust” over his botched attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
While Sheikh Salman told delegates that Asian was now united behind Infantino, Prince Ali has indicated that this is not the case, with the Jordan FA sticking firm with its stance in opposition to Infantino.
After the congress, Prince Ali claimed no one was allowed to speak, question, debate or talk to media, describing the final day as "pure politics".
In response, the AFC said neither Prince Ali nor any other member association representative had asked to speak, rejecting suggestions that proceedings were conducted improperly.
"The AFC takes seriously the unsupported and entirely unsubstantiated allegations of coercion, threats or bribery. Such serious accusations must be supported by credible evidence and should not be made without a proper factual basis," it added.
"Accordingly, the AFC will refer the statements made by the President of the Jordan Football Association, including the allegations raised, to the relevant AFC judicial bodies for their consideration and any further action deemed appropriate in accordance with the AFC Statutes and applicable regulations."
Prince Ali publicly attack Infantino in August, levelling accusations of blackmail against Fifa.
Prince Ali alleged the organisation offered assistance with the kingdom's issues in exchange for his endorsement, following Infantino's withdrawal from a World Cup stake sale proposal.
Among the problems cited was the association's eight-month wait for prize money, due since December for reaching the Arab Cup final in Qatar.
After taking to X to reveal the outstanding payments, the Jordan Football Association received the prize money two days later - but Prince Ali has not changed his stance over not endorsing Infantino.
“It does not change my clear position concerning the leadership of Fifa: my FA and I will not endorse president Infantino, nor will we vote for him,” he said.
The Jordan FA is so far the only Asian nation to outwardly oppose Infantino, while a number of member associations such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia broke rank with the AFC to offer their backing before the confederation reversed its position.