AMMAN — HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA), said that FIFA has released Jordan's overdue prize money for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup, ending an eight-month delay.

 

In a post on his official X account, Prince Ali thanked FIFA's administration for releasing the funds, which he said were owed to Jordan's players and coaching staff for the national team's runner-up finish at the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar last December.

 

"Thank you to the FIFA administration for suddenly this morning delivering what was owed to our players and coaching staff, for the Jordan National team's accession to the final of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar last December," he wrote.

 

"This was funding that should have been received 8 months ago," he added.

 

Prince Ali said that the payment did not alter his concerns about FIFA's leadership or its treatment of member associations.

 

"While this is a good development for our players, it does not change the serious concerns we in the football world have regarding the FIFA leadership, nor does it change what our FAs have been subjected to in the past," he said.

 

He added that the delay was "symptomatic" of broader problems within the organisation, which he said are often linked to FIFA presidential elections.

 

"It does not change my clear position concerning the leadership of FIFA: my FA and I will not endorse president Infantino, nor will we vote for him," Prince Ali said.

 

Earlier this week, Prince Ali accused FIFA's leadership of financial inequities, political blackmail and ethical misconduct.

 

He said that Jordan, which qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history, had faced significant financial challenges despite the achievement.

 

"We are a small country with a minimal budget for our FA and had to deal with enormous hurdles," he wrote.

 

Prince Ali also said that FIFA had delayed releasing prize money due to Jordan for its Arab Cup campaign while the organisation continued to "brag about how many billions they have in reserve."

 

He also said that FIFA officials suggested assistance for the Jordan Football Association would depend on his political support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of the governing body's next presidential election.

 

"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.

 

Describing the request as "blackmail," Prince Ali said Jordan would not compromise its principles.

 

"We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now," he said.

 

Prince Ali said that football's governing body was facing "a clear-cut crisis in leadership" and called for reforms to FIFA's presidential election process.