The rift within Asian football deepened further on Tuesday as the AFC president responded to Qatar's questions regarding the joint criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino by the AFC, UEFA, and CONCACAF.
Infantino had launched a plan to bring private investment into international football events, including the World Cup, but withdrew it within days and has been under attack ever since.
Last week, the Asian Football Confederation, UEFA, and CONCACAF issued a joint letter criticizing the plan again, stating that "football does not belong to any one person."
Critics hope that Infantino will step down due to his failed plan to sell his World Cup shares.
Reports citing a letter from Qatar Football Association President Bin Khalifa Al Thani to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) indicate that neither he nor the Qatar Football Association received any feedback before the joint statement was released.
The president of the Qatar Football Association demanded an explanation for why no prior consultation was sought, and on what grounds the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) spoke on behalf of the 47 member associations, including Qatar.
AFC President Ben Ibrahim Al Khalifa has responded, denying overstepping his authority and stating that he was "acting within the legal authority granted to me by the AFC Charter."
"I unequivocally reject any claims that my involvement in the joint statement exceeded my authorized scope or that there was any error in the AFC's involvement," the Bahraini said in a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday.
“The Asian Football Confederation is the guardian of Asian football, and its president has a responsibility to protect the interests and values of the sport,” he added. “In situations like this that lead to a joint statement, remaining silent is not in line with this responsibility.”
The Asian Football Confederation, CONCACAF, and UEFA have consistently and strongly condemned Infantino's sale plans, even after the plan was shelved.
The three continental football federations stated at the end of their letter last week that under Infantino's leadership, "there has been silence where accountability is due and alienation where openness is needed."
Infantino refused to concede the presidency and received the “full support” of senior FIFA officials at an emergency meeting convened in Morocco two weeks ago.
