Ali bin Hussein calls for the abolition of secret voting in FIFA elections

Prince Ali bin Hussein, President of the Jordanian Football Association and President of the West Asian Football Federation, has called for the abolition of secret voting in the elections for the presidency of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). The prince’s call came via a tweet he posted on the X platform, commenting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposal to bring private-sector investors into FIFA competitions.

Prince Ali stated: “Amid all the controversy surrounding FIFA, world football is facing a clear leadership crisis ahead of upcoming elections. As someone who has been through this experience before, I believe there is one step that must be taken immediately: the abolition of secret voting in FIFA presidential elections.”

He added: “All other decisions, including the selection of the host country for the World Cup, are now made publicly, except for the presidential election. With a president elected every four years and a council responsible for making all decisions, open voting is the only means of holding us, the heads of national associations, accountable to football fans, officials, and players who have given us their votes.”

He clarified: “At the same time, it protects each national association that might face pressure or coercion to make decisions behind closed doors, as has happened in the past. More importantly, open voting will empower each national association with the strength and independence needed for the most important vote we cast: choosing the leadership of the world’s largest and most popular sport, and determining the direction it will take in the future.”