Infantino’s FIFA re-election policy prompts Japan’s football vice-president to resign

Japan Football Association vice-president Takeshi Okada has resigned in protest at the politics surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election campaign. The former Japan coach said the developments surrounding FIFA and this year’s World Cup have moved too far away from his belief that sport must be guided by honesty.

The JFA released Okada’s resignation message on Wednesday 24 October, a day after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) publicly endorsed Infantino for another term. The FIFA president is seeking a fourth and final term in office in elections scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

“However, the series of events surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup represent a significant departure from my personal beliefs,” Okada wrote. “As an athlete, I can’t accept that.

Okada, who led Japan to the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, acknowledged that Japan had to navigate the realities of international football politics. He said he understood there were practical reasons for the JFA to merge with the AFC, but made it clear he could not personally accept the direction FIFA was taking.

INFANTINA’S CAMPAIGN FOR RE-ELECTION RISES CRITICISM

Infantino has faced criticism since July over a proposed deal to sell a permanent share of World Cup revenue to private investors. The reported $4.2 billion deal, which involved investors led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, drew strong objections from senior football figures including AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferino and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.

Criticism has centered on concerns about Infantino’s transparency, governance and management style, including his close relationship with US President Donald Trump. Sheikh Salman had previously accused Infantino of a “fundamental breach of trust”, but the AFC reversed course last Friday and announced its support for the FIFA president after a period of uncertainty.

Infantino also worked to secure support from influential Asian football powers. Qatar, which hosts the 2022 World Cup, has remained receptive, while Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 tournament, appears to have renewed its relationship with Infantino after hosting him in Jeddah this month.

The AFC’s 46 member associations form a significant bloc among FIFA’s 211 voters. Infantino promised each member association $25 million in development and operating costs over the next four years, helping to control the election campaign.

AFC PROVIDES INFANTINO IN LINE OF MANAGEMENT

The AFC’s support also sparked public controversy with Jordanian football official Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, a former FIFA vice-president who challenged Infantino in the 2016 presidential election.

Prince Ali described the AFC gathering in Tokyo as “pure politics at the behest of Gianni Infantino” and argued that Asia was not united behind the incumbent. He also warned against the use of “coercion, threats or bribes” in the electoral process.

The AFC dismissed his claims as unfounded and referred his comments to its judicial officers for possible disciplinary action. Prince Ali later clarified that his contribution was to underline the importance of transparency in football governance, adding that Jordan’s vote would be cast independently.

Meanwhile, European football’s governing body UEFA has pledged to find a candidate to challenge Infantino, with a nomination deadline of November 18.

Okada’s resignation adds another voice to the growing debate over FIFA’s leadership as elections loom in March.

– The end