It had been claimed that Shaikh Salman, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), oversaw a committee which targeted athletes who had participated in the protest and was, therefore, complicit in their alleged torture.

The AFC chief, President of the Bahrain Football Association at the time, has strenuously denied the claims, telling Sky Sports he was “one million per cent” certain Bahraini athletes were not tortured.

London-based law firm Schillings have sent letters to several publications, including insidethegames, warning that Shaikh Salman will take legal action against anyone who publicly repeats the allegations.  

The accusations cast a shadow over his initial candidacy for the FIFA Presidency and threatened to derail his chances of succeeding Sepp Blatter as the head of the corruption-plagued governing body.

Shaikh Salman, however, remains the front-runner in the race despite the allegations.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino has made significant inroads in recent weeks, though, securing the backing of his home Confederation, as well as the South American Football Confederation.

“That person didn't protect or stick up for his players at that time,” Prince Ali said when asked about the accusations levelled against his Presidential rival.

“It’s a simple, basic fact of the matter.”

Prince Ali’s comments represent another example of the growing feud between the two Asian candidates after the Jordanian Football Association head claimed a recent deal struck between the AFC and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) broke ethics rules. 

The Jordanian insisted the CAF and AFC partnership was a “blatant attempt” to secure a bloc vote for Shaikh Salman and he wrote to FIFA’s Electoral Committee to ask them to investigate.

The CAF Executive Committee then announced its backing for Shaikh Salman, providing a boost to his campaign.

The pledge of support has notnecessarily equate to the AFC President being given all of Africa’s 54 votes in the election, however.

In fact, following the CAF announcing their support for Shaikh Salman, the Liberia Football Association, whose President Musa Bility failed a FIFA integrity check and was not able to stand in the race, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) and the Egyptian Football Association all announced they would back other candidates.

Both Liberia and Egypt have promised to back Prince Ali.

South Sudan, meanwhile, initially threw their weight behind Infantino’s bid before performing a U-turn as they now support Shaikh Salman.

They claim this is because they were unaware of the CAF Executive Committee’s decision when they made they chose to announce their backing for the AFC head.

Bility has suggested as many of 26 African countries would not back Salman.

“The SSFA agrees to follow the decision of the Executive Committee of CAF to support Shaikh Salman,” a statement from the organisation read.

“We would like to apologise to all member associations of CAF and our candidate for the presidency of FIFA Shaikh Salman.”

Another Football Association weighing up switching allegiances is the Russian Football Union, who initially sided with Infantino’s effort but now appear to be considering changing their support to the Shaikh.

South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale and Jérôme Champagne, the two outsiders in the race, will join Infantino, Shaikh Salman and Prince Ali at a meeting in Miami today.

There, all five candidates are set to lobby for the backing of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

Thirty-five votes are available in the region.