By Andrew Warshaw
March 16 – Jordan’s FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured left) has sought to diffuse any tension with English football authorities by playing down Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards’ (right) outburst at this week’s International Sport Security Conference in Doha.
The Prince, who is also vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), was the most high-profile of the guests invited to the annual event where Richards launched a remarkable attack on both FIFA and UEFA.
As part of his untimely blast, which made worldwide headlines, he publicly disagreed with Prince Ali over which country invented the sport.
Richards has since apologised profusely for his comments and in a statement Prince Ali, who was recently in the United Kingdom for talks with English football officials on how the two parties can best collaborate, said the relationship would not be weakened.
“I have a great relationship with the FA (English Football Association) and chairman David Bernstein,” a statement said.
“I have total respect for the FA and English football for their contribution to world football.
“I look forward to working together with the FA to strengthen the partnership and cooperation between the FA and Asia.”
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