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Jordan FA chief accuses FIFA's Infantino of 'blackmail' over endorsement
Football's world group is called FIFA, and its president is Gianni Infantino.
The leader of football in Jordan, Prince Ali, says FIFA is treating Jordan unfairly.
He says FIFA owes Jordan's team prize money for reaching the final of the Arab Cup in Qatar.
Jordan has been waiting for that money since December.
Prince Ali says FIFA told him the money and other help would come if he supported Infantino as president again.
He says that is blackmail and Jordan will not give in.
Around the same time, FIFA wanted to sell part of its World Cup money to private investors.
Many football countries and even FIFA's own leaders said no, so the plan was cancelled.
Prince Ali says the real problem is FIFA's leadership, not money.
Jordan FA chief Prince Ali bin al-Hussein accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of 'blackmail,' saying FIFA linked aid to his endorsement.
Jordan said its players are still waiting since December for Arab Cup final prize money from FIFA, despite FIFA's billions in reserves.
Prince Ali said the endorsement offer was verbally communicated during the World Cup, where Jordan made its debut in June.
Infantino abandoned a plan to sell a stake in World Cup profits to investors led by Joshua Kushner after confederations and associations rejected it.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and development chief Arsene Wenger distanced themselves from the aborted sale as European nations withdrew support for Infantino.
- Who
- Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, president of the Jordan Football Association, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and Arsene Wenger also involved.
- What
- Accusation that FIFA blackmailed Jordan by withholding prize money and assistance unless Prince Ali endorsed Infantino's re-election, alongside backlash over an abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup profits.
- Where
- FIFA and Jordan; the Arab Cup final was played in Qatar, and the World Cup was hosted in the United States, with Canada and Mexico also mentioned.
- When
- Allegations were made on Tuesday; Jordan has awaited Arab Cup prize money since December; the World Cup took place in June.
- Why
- Jordan claims FIFA withheld funds and support as leverage for an endorsement, while Infantino's proposed World Cup stake sale drew widespread opposition and was abandoned.
Jordan FA and FIFA critics
FIFA leadership and supporters
Blackmail accusations
Jordan FA and FIFA critics
Jordan FA says FIFA withheld prize money and assistance for months, then offered help if Prince Ali endorsed Infantino's re-election, calling it blackmail and refusing to give in.
FIFA leadership and supporters
The articles contain no published FIFA denial; FIFA has highlighted its billions in reserves and, per the articles, has not delivered the Arab Cup prize money Jordan says it is owed.
World Cup stake sale
Jordan FA and FIFA critics
Confederations and national associations rejected the proposed sale, and FIFA executives Mattias Grafstrom and Arsene Wenger called the episode sad, reproachable, and in need of being called off.
FIFA leadership and supporters
FIFA leadership put forward the minority-stake sale arguing it would raise billions for global sports development, but was forced to abandon it after the backlash.
Key facts
- Accuser
- Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Jordan Football Association president and former FIFA vice president
- Accused
- Gianni Infantino, FIFA president seeking re-election
- Allegation
- FIFA withheld prize money and assistance until Jordan endorsed Infantino's re-election
- Unpaid prize money
- Reward for reaching the FIFA Arab Cup final in Qatar, owed since December
- Abandoned sale plan
- Minority stake in World Cup commercial operations to investors led by Joshua Kushner
- Key opposition
- Confederations, national associations, Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and Arsene Wenger opposed the sale
- Jordan's World Cup
- First-ever qualification; the team exited in the group stage in June
- FIFA's response
- Reuters contacted FIFA for comment; no response was included in the articles
Quotes
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein
Jordan Football Association chief and West Asian Football Federation head
“"FIFA offered to resolve the kingdom’s footballing problems in exchange for his political endorsement."”
indianexpress.com
“"But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."”
wionews.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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