AMMAN — A closed-door meeting of the Jordan Football Association (JFA) Board of Directors, chaired Tuesday by His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, resulted in a major administrative change, with the board accepting the resignation of Secretary General Samar Nassar and appointing Farah Al Badarna as acting secretary general.
The move follows controversy surrounding the national team’s friendly match against Syria, which raised a number of technical, organizational and administrative concerns.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Prince Ali said Nassar had not fallen short during her tenure, stressing that the focus in the coming period would be on the national team and its participation in the Asian Cup. He also expressed confidence in the team under Moroccan coach Badou Zaki, noting that the association has traditionally preferred working with Arab coaches.
“Attention is focused on the national team, and I have received calls from Japan and elsewhere confirming that these teams respect the national team,” Prince Ali said.
Acting Secretary General Farah Al Badarna said she considers herself part of the association and the game, having played football in the past. She said she would build on the achievements of the previous period with the support of the board and staff, thanking Prince Ali for his confidence and appointment.
JFA Vice President Marwan Juma said the next phase would involve a comprehensive review of various files to determine the reasons behind what occurred during the Syria match, identify technical and administrative shortcomings, and prevent them from being repeated.
He stressed that changes within institutions are normal and that the focus should remain on the football system and the national team rather than individuals.
Juma said the association would continue building on the gains made in recent years, noting that Jordanian football is going through one of its strongest periods following the historic qualification for the World Cup, as well as improvements in infrastructure, the national teams’ training center, the Prince Ali Youth Development Centers and the new stadium.
He said rising expectations among fans were a natural consequence of the team’s recent achievements.
Juma added that reaching and competing in the Asian Cup would not be easy given the presence of strong teams, particularly Japan. He said the national team would enter the tournament aiming to compete, stressing that failure to achieve results expected by some would not necessarily constitute failure given the strength of the competition and the high expectations surrounding the team.
Regarding the events following the Syria match, Juma revealed that a committee had been formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the game, determine what happened inside and outside the association, and establish responsibilities before any further steps are taken.
He stressed that the priority was to learn from the mistakes and ensure they were not repeated.
Juma clarified that the administrative change was not solely linked to the latest match, noting that Nassar had spent around nine years with the association, serving both as a board member and secretary general. He described change as a natural part of institutional life.
At the same time, he praised Nassar for her contributions during the previous period and the achievements made during her tenure.
The JFA vice president said the coming phase would also include a review of the performance of various staff members to assess what had and had not been achieved. He stressed that the evaluation would be objective and that appropriate action would be taken regarding anyone found unable to continue serving the interests of the football system.
Al Badarna said her experience with the Football Association dates back to 2011 and that she would work during the coming period to support the board and staff while building on previous achievements.
She said the current phase requires a focus on work and results, particularly with the national team’s Asian Cup participation approaching. She stressed that the change in the secretary general position did not necessarily mean a comprehensive change across the organization, noting that the final decision rests with the board. Her immediate priority, she said, is to continue working and serving Jordanian football.
Regarding the national team’s coaching staff, Juma reiterated his confidence in the Moroccan school, saying the results achieved over the past three years had been positive. He said the association did not want to change coaches every year or two, but rather sought stability and sufficient time for the coaching staff to work.
He noted that the squad includes a number of young players capable of developing and progressing with the national team in the coming period. He said the performance of current head coach Badou Zaki would be assessed after the Asian Cup based on the results and achievements before a decision is made on the next phase.
Juma said the Moroccan coaching school had delivered the best results for Jordanian football in recent years.
He also reassured fans about the condition of players Yazan Al Naimat and Ibrahim Sabra, confirming that Al Naimat is expected to return to the field by the end of October, while Sabra’s condition continues to be monitored by the medical staff.
Juma stressed the importance of taking care of the players, particularly as they represent a key part of the national team’s project for the coming phase.
