By Basant El-Faramawy
Japan Football Association vice-president Takeshi Okada has resigned from his position, citing concerns over FIFA president Gianni Infantino's conduct, one week after the Asian Football Confederation endorsed Infantino for re-election.
AFC endorsement follows earlier criticism
The AFC backed Infantino at an extraordinary congress in Tokyo last Friday, where Infantino embraced AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. The endorsement marked a reversal from two months earlier when the confederation accused Infantino of a "fundamental breach of trust" over his abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
Okada cites integrity concerns
Okada, who managed Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, said in a statement that the "series of actions surrounding this year's FIFA World Cup represent a significant divergence from my personal convictions." He added that as a sportsman he could not accept the situation, though he acknowledged practical reasons for aligning with the AFC stance.
Wider controversy shadows Infantino campaign
Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, is seeking re-election in March 2027. His candidacy has been dogged by the failed private investment scheme and by revelations that he intervened to review a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun after a request from then-US president Donald Trump.
Asian bloc shows fractures
Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein remains the only Asian federation leader to publicly oppose Infantino. Prince Ali has alleged blackmail and coercion, claiming FIFA offered assistance in exchange for his endorsement. The AFC dismissed the allegations as "unsupported and entirely unsubstantiated" and referred the matter to its judicial bodies.
