AFC chief defends joint criticism of FIFA President Infantino

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), on Tuesday pushed back against assertions from the Qatar Football Association that his participation in the joint statement had exceeded his mandate.

The AFC chief's move came after Qatar questioned the authority under which he had signed onto correspondence alongside leaders from the European and North American football confederations criticizing Infantino's leadership.

The dispute underscores tensions within international football governance, with regional confederations navigating their independence relative to FIFA's overarching authority. The joint letter from the three continental bodies had raised concerns about various aspects of Infantino's administration and decision-making at the world football governing body.

Al-Khalifa's defense of his position signals the AFC's determination to act autonomously on matters it deems significant to the sport's governance across the Asian region, despite pressure from member associations to refrain from public criticism of FIFA leadership.

The disagreement highlights ongoing friction between FIFA and its regional confederations as they grapple with jurisdiction and representation issues in global football administration.