AFC President, Shaikh Salman Indicates Interest To Join FIFA Presidency Contest

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

By Niyi Adeyi, with Agency Report

The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Shaikh Salman, has announced his intention to contest the FIFA Presidency, in February next year.

Salman indicated Tuesday the “senior” figures in the game have prompted him to run for the world highest Football House headship.

In his letter to members of AFC executive committee, the 49-year-old Bahraini noted that he was not yet a candidate, yet, informed that he had been urged to stand “by a growing number of senior football administrators, FIFA members and personalities of public life”.

Deadline for candidates to submit the relevant paperwork – together with letters of support from five football associations is October 26, 2015.

FIFA Election congress has been slated for February 26, 2016.

The ousted FIFA President, Sepp Blatter is expected to step down as FIFA President in February. Salman, is a staunch supporter of UEFA boss, Michel Platini for the July contest in which Blatter was declared the winner.

Blatter, his Vice, Chung Mung-joon, and Platini have been barred by the FIFA Ethics committee members from contesting the coming election, over allegations of embezzlement against them.

In the meantime, Human rights group Americans for Democracy and in Bahrain had written FIFA requesting it to prevent Salman from contesting, hinging their position on “unethical behaviour” while he was the President of the Bahrain FA.

Former Green Eagles Skipper, Segun Odegbami and ex-Abia State Governor, South East Nigeria, Orji Uzor Kalu have also indicated interest to run for the FIFA plum job.