Doha, August 15 (QNA) - The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has called upon the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to consistently apply the principles of transparency and consultation in a manner that preserves its credibility and strengthens trust among its members.
QFA also emphasized the importance of adhering to transparency and institutional governance in the positions and statements issued in the name of the national member associations of the AFC.
This came in an official letter addressed by President of the QFA, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani to the Asian Confederation regarding the joint statement issued on August 10 by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), and the AFC.
His Excellency clarified in the letter that the QFA was not consulted, either formally or informally, prior to the issuance of the aforementioned statement. Furthermore, the QFA did not receive any prior notice or draft of the statement, nor was it given the opportunity to comment on or contribute to its content before it was published in the name of the AFC and on behalf of its members. He pointed out that any position presented as a collective stance of the member associations must be based on a clear consultation process preceding its announcement, and a collective consensus should not be assumed without reverting to the members.
He also stressed the importance of adhering to proper institutional procedures and standards of governance and transparency, noting that "the issuance of a statement speaking on behalf of the AFC members without consulting them raises questions about the mechanism followed in adopting such positions."
HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani requested a written clarification from the AFC regarding the consultation process that preceded the issuance of the statement -if any- as well as the mechanism for notifying or consulting national member associations, and clarifying the basis upon which the AFC relied in speaking collectively on behalf of its members.
The QFA President concluded the letter by emphasizing his keenness to address the matter in a constructive manner that preserves the unity of Asian associations and enhances trust and cooperation among them.
It is worth noting that the presidents of six Arab football associations, including the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Kingdom of Morocco, had previously announced their support for Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), affirming their backing for him and his efforts in leading and developing football at the international level. (QNA)