The key facts

  • Takeshi Okada stepped down as vice president of the Japan Football Association, citing a divergence of principles from the organization's response to issues surrounding the World Cup.
  • The resignation followed a week after the AFC president's statement of support for Gianni Infantino in the FIFA elections in March 2027.
  • Infantino had previously been criticized over the FFE proposal to transfer part of the commercial rights to a private company, which was abandoned.

Resignation over a divergence from the organization's position

Vice president of the Japan Football Association Takeshi Okada announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down from his post. In a statement, he cited a reports Anadolu.

Context: AFC's support for Infantino

The resignation came a week after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa pledged support for Gianni Infantino in his bid for a new term as FIFA president. Okada noted, however, that he understood aligning with the AFC was the practical option given Japan's relationship with the confederation and the possible impact on Japanese football.

Background: the FFE scandal

Two months ago, Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, faced calls to resign amid a dispute over a proposal by FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). It envisaged transferring part of FIFA's commercial rights to a private investment company through a new commercial structure, including rights related to the organization's tournaments, including the World Cup. A few days after the details became known, the proposal was dropped, drawing criticism from the presidents of several confederations and major European leagues. Infantino intends to run for a new term in the elections in March 2027.