Jordan Football Association president Ali bin Al Hussein has launched a scathing public attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of “blackmail”. Hussein alleged that the world football governing body offered to help resolve Jordan’s football-related issues only if he publicly backed Infantino’s leadership.
The strongly worded statement, posted on social media on Tuesday, makes Jordan the latest football association to openly criticise Infantino, whose position has come under increasing pressure after his controversial proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights was abandoned following widespread opposition.
Ali bin Al Hussein claimed FIFA had ignored repeated requests for assistance over several issues affecting Jordanian football before making what he described as a political demand during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup.
“It was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out,” he wrote.
“We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that.”
FIFA DELAYING PAYMENTS
The Jordan FA chief outlined several grievances faced by his association following the country’s historic first qualification for the FIFA World Cup.
He said many Jordanian supporters who had purchased match tickets were denied US visas, while those who did attend were forced to pay what he described as “exorbitant” ticket prices.
Ali also claimed Jordan had been hit with significant tax bills for participating in the tournament because the team was based in the United States, unlike countries that set up camp in Canada or Mexico.
“We are being taxed by the US government through FIFA for our participation. Money that should go to players and staff,” he said.
He further criticised FIFA for delaying prize money owed to Jordan after the national team finished runners-up at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar.
“The money our team should receive for having reached the final has not been delivered yet, while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve,” he added.
INFANTINO IN TROUBLE
The public criticism comes at a difficult time for Infantino, who is facing mounting opposition from football associations and confederations after being forced to withdraw plans to sell a minority stake in FIFA’s commercial business to private investors. The proposal, which FIFA said would unlock billions of dollars for football development, was rejected by several member associations, intensifying scrutiny over Infantino’s leadership ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election.
Ali bin Al Hussein’s remarks add to a growing list of senior football administrators questioning FIFA’s governance, with the latest intervention further deepening the crisis surrounding Infantino.
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