Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada quits as vice-president of Japan FA over FIFA World Cup controversies

Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada has resigned as vice-president of the Japan Football Association, citing concerns over developments ​surrounding FIFA and the World Cup.

Okada's resignation came a week after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa declared support for Gianni Infantino's bid for ​re-election as FIFA president at the AFC's extraordinary congress ​in Tokyo.

The endorsement marked a sharp shift from ⁠the AFC's position three months earlier, when the confederation accused ​FIFA of a "fundamental breach of trust" over the abandoned FIFA ​Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions.

"Guided by my belief that sports should embody integrity, I have always valued their social ​significance," Okada said in a statement on the JFA ​website.

"However, the series of actions surrounding this year's FIFA World Cup represent ‌a ⁠significant divergence from my personal convictions. As a sportsman, I cannot accept this, which has led me to make this decision."

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking re-election in ​March after ​apologising for his ⁠failed private investment project. Support from Asia, one of FIFA's largest voting blocs, could prove ​crucial to his bid.

"Given the relationship with the ​Asian ⁠Football Confederation and the impact on Japanese soccer, I understand that there are practical reasons for aligning with the AFC's stance," ⁠Okada ​said.

Okada coached Japan at the 1998 ​and 2010 World Cups, leading the team to the last 16 in South ​Africa.