Japan considers leaving AFC

UTV (Iraq) media channel reported that the Japan Football Association (JFA) is considering withdrawing from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) due to dissatisfaction with the organization's recent policies and decisions.

Japan is the flagship of Asian football.

The JFA was particularly unhappy with the AFC’s decision to change the format of the AFC Champions League Elite, the continent’s top club competition, to be held centrally in Saudi Arabia, sources said. This decision, along with the controversial rulings affecting Vissel Kobe, led the Japanese side to say the AFC “lacked fairness and transparency”.

In addition, the JFA is also said to be upset by allegations of corruption within the AFC and believes that these issues are undermining the reputation of Asian football.

According to UTV , in that context, the JFA is promoting plans to establish a new football alliance in the East Asian region, possibly called the East Asian Football Union or a similar structure. This alliance is expected to include Japan, South Korea, North Korea and China, while extending invitations to some Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and football nations in Oceania such as Australia and New Zealand.

If this information becomes reality, this will be a big shock for AFC, because Japan is currently one of the most influential countries in Asian football - both in terms of achievements, finances and brand. A "East Asian alliance" led by Tokyo will not only reshape the map of Asian football, but also open a new era of turmoil in the power structure of football in the region.

Source: https://znews.vn/nhat-ban-can-nhac-roi-afc-post1594791.html