Japan Football Association vice president Takeshi Okada has resigned in protest at the politics surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino's campaign for re-election. The former Japan coach said the developments around FIFA and this year's World Cup had moved too far from his belief that sport must be guided by integrity.

The JFA published Okada's resignation statement on Wednesday, dated October 24, a day after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) publicly backed Infantino for another term. The FIFA president is seeking a fourth and final term in an election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

"However, the series of actions surrounding this year's FIFA World Cup represent a significant divergence from my personal convictions," Okada wrote. "As a sportsman, I cannot accept this."

Okada, who led Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, acknowledged that Japan had to navigate the realities of international football politics. He said he understood there were practical reasons for the JFA to align with the AFC, but made clear that he could not personally accept the direction FIFA was taking.

INFANTINO'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN DRAWS CRITICISM

Infantino has faced criticism since July over a proposed deal to sell a permanent stake in World Cup revenues to private investors. The reported $4.2 billion arrangement, involving investors led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, drew strong objections from senior football figures, including AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.

The criticism centred on concerns about transparency, governance and Infantino's management style, including his close relationship with US President Donald Trump. Sheikh Salman had previously accused Infantino of a "fundamental breach of trust", but the AFC reversed course last Friday, announcing its support for the FIFA president after a period of uncertainty.

Infantino has also been working to secure backing from influential Asian football powers. Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup, has remained supportive, while Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 tournament, appeared to restore its relationship with Infantino after hosting him in Jeddah this month.

The AFC's 46 member associations make up a significant bloc among the 211 FIFA voters. Infantino has promised each member association $25 million for development and operating costs over the next four years, adding to scrutiny of the election campaign.

AFC BACKS INFANTINO AMID GOVERNANCE ROW

The AFC's endorsement has also triggered a public dispute with Jordanian football official Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, a former FIFA vice president who challenged Infantino in the 2016 presidential election.

Prince Ali described the AFC gathering in Tokyo as "pure politics at the behest of Gianni Infantino" and argued that Asia was not united behind the incumbent. He also warned against the use of "coercion, threats or bribes" in the election process.

The AFC rejected his claims as unsubstantiated and referred his comments to its judicial officials for possible disciplinary action. Prince Ali later clarified that his post was intended to underline the importance of transparency in football governance, adding that Jordan's vote would be cast independently.

Meanwhile, European football's governing body UEFA has committed to finding a candidate to challenge Infantino, with the deadline for nominations set for November 18.

Okada's resignation adds another voice to the growing debate over FIFA's leadership as the March election approaches.

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