Japan coach quits federation role over FIFA vote reversal

The Asian Football Confederation switched its vote for FIFA president Gianni Infantino just 24 hours before a two-time World Cup coach resigned in protest. Takeshi Okada, 70, stepped down as vice president of the Japan Soccer Association on Wednesday. His statement was dated the previous Saturday, the same day the AFC reversed its public position. The AFC now supports Infantino, who seeks a fourth and final presidential term in an election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

Okada coached Japan in the 1998 and 2010 World Cups. In his resignation letter, he argued that sports should embody integrity. He stated that recent actions surrounding the World Cup diverged from his personal convictions. "As a sportsman, I cannot accept this," he wrote. The coach acknowledged the complex political position of Japan within global soccer. He noted that practical reasons exist for aligning with the AFC stance. Japan aims to host the men's World Cup before 2050.

The AFC made its endorsement at an assembly in Tokyo on Friday. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, announced the decision. This move surprised many observers because Salman had previously criticized Infantino. In August, Salman joined UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani in denouncing Infantino. They accused him of deception and a fundamental breach of trust. The controversy centers on a $4.2 billion deal with private investors. Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, leads the investor group. Kushner is married to Ivanka Trump, the daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Infantino has faced backlash since July over a failed plan to sell a stake in World Cup profits. His management style and ties to the U.S. president have provoked furor among soccer leaders in Europe, North America, and Asia. However, his support from key Asian powers has solidified. Qatar, host of the 2022 World Cup, never lost confidence in him. Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 edition, also regained trust. Saudi Arabia hosted Infantino in Jeddah earlier this month. Before that, the country had withheld public backing. The two Gulf states act as major power brokers in the region. The AFC controls 46 of the 211 FIFA member federations who will vote in March. Infantino has promised each member $25 million for development and operating costs over the next four years.

The decision to support Infantino created immediate tension within the Asian soccer community. Former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan criticized the Tokyo meetings on social media. He called the final meeting pure politics at the behest of Infantino. Prince Ali, who ran against Infantino in the 2016 election, said Asia was not united behind the incumbent. He argued that no amount of coercion, threats, or bribes should be allowed. The AFC rejected these claims as unsubstantiated. The body stated that such serious accusations require credible evidence. It referred the prince's comments to judicial officials for possible disciplinary action.

European soccer leaders are preparing a counter-move. UEFA has committed to finding a candidate to challenge Infantino. The governing body must submit its nominee by a FIFA deadline of November 18. The 211 member federations effectively own FIFA, a Switzerland-based non-profit organization. The upcoming election will determine whether Infantino continues his leadership or faces a challenger from the continent that has long opposed his recent strategies.