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AFC reiterates it will not support Prince Ali's FIFA presidential bid

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

The president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has continued to reiterate that it will back incumbent Sepp Blatter in May's FIFA presidential election.

Speaking in Melbourne on Friday at the 2015 AFC Extraordinary Congress, Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa confirmed that the AFC would endorse the 78-year-old Blatter, who is seeking a fifth straight term in charge.

The continued support of the AFC towards Blatter came just three days after Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein announced he would run for the leadership of world football's governing body.

However, despite an Asian candidate throwing his name into the ring alongside Blatter and Frenchman Jerome Champagne, the AFC remained adamant that it would not support his bid.

"Everybody is aware that during the general assembly in 2013 and 2014, the AFC congress has decided in support Blatter for a fifth term," Sheikh Salman told reporters on Friday.

"We are committed, all the member associations are committed to Blatter and from what I heard from them, today and the last few days, we will continue to commit to that promise.

"I don't want to give false hope to anybody. I have to be clear on that," he said.

Sheikh Salman was critical of the way in which Prince Ali announced his decision, saying it was an individual choice and that the AFC was not consulted during the process.

"Nobody has consulted us before regarding this nominee and if there is a nominee from the Asian confederation, it has to be supported by the Asian confederation with the consult of all the executive committee, the members," Sheikh Salman continued.

"Congress is the highest authority. If we are committed, we never change our word."

The president of the Kuwait Football Association, Sheikh Dr Talal Al Fahad Al Sabah, echoed the AFC leader's criticisms of Prince Ali's bid and revealed Kuwait's full support for Blatter.

"We decided in the general assembly to vote for Blatter, so I think now Prince Ali has to consider that and he has to think about this matter a lot," he said.

"I think I was clear... Kuwait will vote for Blatter."

Sheikh Salman and the AFC delegates are in Melbourne ahead of the 2015 Asian Cup, which begins when Australia takes on Kuwait on Friday night. Endi