AFC ELECTION
Abu Dhabi's Awani said reports about banning any individual from attending were untrue. "Whoever is trying to create stories and fictions are used to it, and we are used to ignoring them," he tweeted.
Mohannadi said last month that he would run for president of the 47-country AFC in April.
The other two contenders are the UAE's Mohammed Khalfan Al-Rumaithi and incumbent Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, of Bahrain.
The Asian Cup, held every four years and running until Feb. 1, is considered a key gathering point to lobby AFC members for votes.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia are due to play a group match on Jan. 17 and the Qatari team is expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi this week in time for their first game on Jan. 7.
Qatar has said it will only decide on any expansion of the World Cup after seeing a FIFA feasibility study expected by March.
