Asian soccer rift deepens as AFC president responds to criticism from Qatar

Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa on Tuesday rejected the Qatar Football Association’s assertion that he had exceeded his authority by joining UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

In an unusually forthright letter, the Bahraini administrator also slammed the Qatari federation’s decision to prioritize “technicalities” over the defense of the sport, deepening the growing rift within Asian soccer.

Infantino, who is seeking reelection next year, has faced open revolt after UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF attacked his conduct and called on him to quit over his aborted bid to bring private investment into FIFA events, including the World Cup. Last week, QFA president Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani wrote to the AFC saying neither he nor the federation had been consulted before the three confederations issued their open letter.

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