Fifa accused of using ‘blackmail’ to force support for Infantino’s re-election bid Fifa President Gianni Infantino Faces New Accusations of Blackmail and Backlash Over Failed World Cup Plan The Jordan Football Association president, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, has made shocking claims that Gianni Infantino’s administration has been using “blackmail” to secure support for his re-election bid. Prince Ali, who previously ran against Infantino for the Fifa presidency in 2016, alleged that Fifa threatened to withhold financial assistance from his federation if it refused to back Infantino’s bid. Allegations of Blackmail and Withheld Payments Prince Ali’s statement, published on social media, highlighted a number of issues faced by his federation, including unpaid reward money for Jordan’s players who competed in the Arab Cup last year. Despite purchasing tickets, some of Jordan’s fans were also unable to receive visas, and the federation was taxed by the US for being based in the country. Prince Ali claimed that Fifa only offered to help with these issues if he endorsed Infantino’s re-election bid, which he refused to do. Infantino’s Authority Takes a Hit The allegations come on a day when Infantino’s authority was dealt a further blow as two key allies distanced themselves from his failed World Cup private investment plan. Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafström called the botched plan a “sad and reproachable series of events” in an email to staff, while former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, now Fifa’s chief of global development, said the project’s withdrawal was “absolutely necessary and beyond question”. Loss of Support and Growing Backlash Infantino is steadily losing backing from countries that had previously endorsed his continuation for a fourth term in charge. Greece is the latest federation to have pulled its support, following the lead taken by countries such as England, Wales, Finland, and Serbia. More European federations are expected to follow in the coming days, while a number of nations in Concacaf are also considering withdrawing their backing. Prince Ali’s Statement and Fifa’s Response Prince Ali’s statement painted a picture of a small country facing numerous roadblocks when it came to receiving help from the global governing body. He expressed anger at being taxed by the US and frustration at the lack of support from Fifa. Fifa was contacted for comment regarding Prince Ali’s accusations, but has yet to respond. Meanwhile, Infantino has called Fifa staff to a crisis meeting in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, as he tries to cling to his position. Source: WorldNewsAPI | Read original
