FIFA ‘blackmailing’ members to back Infantino? Former vice president levels explosive allegation

Former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein has criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the governing body’s leadership, accusing them of withholding money due to Jordan and calling it a form of “blackmail.“Prince Ali, who heads the Jordan Football Association, said the federation has still not received the prize money for finishing runners-up in the FIFA Arab Cup held in Qatar last December.In a post on social media, Prince Ali claimed he was told during the World Cup, where Jordan made its debut in June, that supporting Infantino’s re-election would help the Jordanian federation.“I was told if I endorsed FIFA president Gianni Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out.”Infantino is facing pressure over his leadership after global football officials strongly opposed his proposal to sell a stake in future World Cup commercial rights to investors led by Joshua Kushner. The plan was later dropped.Prince Ali, who finished third in the five-candidate FIFA presidential election won by Infantino in February 2016, said Jordan would not change its position.“We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now.”He added: “But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that.”According to Jordanian media, as quoted by news agency AP, the runners-up in the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup were due to receive USD 4.2 million after losing the final to Morocco.Prince Ali said that payment has still not been made.“The money our team should receive for having reached the final has not been delivered yet,” Prince Ali wrote, “while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve.”He also accused FIFA of refusing to assist the Jordan Football Association.“It is clear the problem really is with leadership. For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters,” he said.