Prince Ali briefs the media on the details of the upcoming phase

Following the match, the JFA had explained that the delay in responding to its offer presented to local channels for broadcasting rights prompted it to finalize procedures through a company specialized in broadcasting and television production services, noting that technical tests were conducted prior to the match before a glitch occurred in the internet service used to transmit the signal, which affected the stability of the broadcast and its delivery to viewers. The JFA also apologized to the fans and pledged to take measures to ensure that what happened is not repeated.

Resignation or Dismissal?

The decision issued by the JFA Board of Directors explicitly stated the acceptance of Samar Nassar’s resignation, while expressing gratitude and appreciation for her efforts during her tenure and her contributions to serving and developing the Jordanian football system.

Consequently, the official characterization of the decision is the acceptance of resignation rather than the announcement of Nassar’s dismissal.

However, the timing of the decision—just two days after the Syria match broadcast crisis—made the link between the two events a prominent fixture in the sports and media scene, especially since the broadcasting file became the focus of widespread debate accompanied by rising demands to review administrative and executive responsibilities.

It is important here not to preempt the investigation results or hold any individual directly responsible for the glitch before the review is complete, especially since media sources spoke of multiple accounts regarding the causes of the crisis, while information was also released denying some of what was circulated on social media platforms about personal connections between JFA officials and the company that handled the broadcasting process.

Prince Ali: We must know what happened

The most important aspect of the new scene is that HRH Prince Ali did not treat the broadcasting crisis as a passing incident that could be overlooked with an apology, but rather moved to open the door for review and investigation into the course of events that accompanied the transmission process.

This approach puts the ball in the investigation's court to uncover the details of what happened, starting from the inception of the broadcasting idea, through the entity that handled the execution and the technical procedures preceding the match, up to the moment the glitch appeared and the image reached the fans in such an unsatisfactory manner.

Here, the issue becomes much larger than a mere signal outage or weak internet; what is required is to identify where the fault lay in the chain of decision-making and execution, whether the procedures taken prior to the match were sufficient, and who bears responsibility if the review proves administrative or technical shortcomings.

Jumah: We apologize... and criticism is required

Following the remarks of HRH Prince Ali, JFA Vice President Marwan Jumah spoke to journalists, affirming that what happened warrants a review and offering an apology to the Jordanian people for the glitch that accompanied the broadcast of the Syria match.

Jumah stressed that "criticism of failure is required... and personalization benefits no one," affirming that the JFA will work to review what happened and hold those responsible for any failure accountable if responsibility is proven.

He also affirmed that what has been achieved for Jordanian football over past years has raised the bar of expectations, while calling at the same time for realism in dealing with the upcoming phase, especially since reaching the World Cup level requires continued work and concerted efforts.

In another context, Jumah appeared during the conference interrupting a question directed at HRH Prince Ali regarding the failure to contract with Jordan TV to broadcast the Syria match, telling journalists: "These are details we will talk about later," reflecting that the broadcasting file is not yet closed and its details will remain present until the review is complete.

Badarneh faces a new mission

With the acceptance of Nassar’s resignation, the responsibility of the General Secretariat shifted on an acting basis to Farah Badarneh, marking the beginning of a transitional phase in one of the most vital administrative positions within the JFA.

Badarneh’s mission comes at a sensitive time, as Jordanian football stands on the threshold of major commitments, foremost among them preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, alongside ongoing work to develop local competitions and national teams, and to maintain the momentum generated by the historic qualification for the World Cup.

Therefore, the upcoming phase will not merely be a matter of filling an administrative vacancy, but rather a test of the JFA’s ability to reprioritize, enhance governance, and raise the level of coordination between technical, administrative, and media aspects.

The Media... A Permanent Partner

Among the files that stood out in HRH Prince Ali’s talks with journalists is the relationship with the sports media, considered an essential part of the upcoming phase.

Following its qualification for the World Cup, Jordanian football is no longer a limited sports affair, but has become a file enjoying widespread public and media follow-up. Consequently, communicating with the media, providing information, responding to inquiries, and explaining decisions have all become essential elements in building trust.

Conversely, the sports media is also required to perform its professional role in monitoring, criticizing, and uncovering flaws, away from personalization or turning differences in opinion into hostility.

This specific point aligns with what Jumah said about the necessity of criticism in the event of failure while rejecting personalization, presenting an opportunity to reorganize the relationship between the JFA and the media on a clear foundation: the JFA provides information transparently, and the media exercises its critical role professionally and responsibly.

A New Page

Ultimately, Nassar’s resignation and its acceptance by the JFA Board of Directors appear to be a transitional station in the administration of Jordanian football, but it is not the end of the story.

The upcoming phase requires more than administrative changes; it requires a comprehensive review of mechanisms, a definition of responsibilities, and an enhancement of readiness, especially since the ceiling of ambitions has risen significantly after qualifying for the World Cup.

The Syria match broadcasting file remains the first test of this phase. If the investigation concludes that there was a malfunction or shortcoming, accountability must be as clear as the responsibility itself. If it is proven that what happened was a technical glitch beyond control despite the completion of procedures, the public also deserves to know the full details.

Between the acceptance of Nassar’s resignation and the assignment of Badarneh, Jumah’s talk of apology, review, and criticism, and HRH Prince Ali’s directives to open the file, the clearest message is that the upcoming phase in the JFA will be different, and that the success achieved on the pitch must be matched by a comparable level of organization, management, and transparency off the pitch.

Jordanian football, which reached the World Cup and raised the ambitions of its fans, can no longer afford temporary solutions or treating errors after they occur; rather, it needs a system that anticipates errors, handles them transparently when they happen, and places responsibility in the right place.