By WaMackie - 8 Jan 2015 10:06 AM
worth noting
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-president/afc-president-arrives-in-melbourne-for-asian-cup-opener
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa arrived in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday to attend the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup which will take place from January 9 to 31.
During his stay, Shaikh Salman will be also be chairing the AFC Extraordinary Congress to discuss and approve several new amendments to the confederation’s regulations.
Upon his arrival, Shaikh Salman expressed his confidence in Australia’s ability to organise the major continental event due to the country’s vast experience in such matters and the high-tech facilities which are available.
“We have closely followed the intensive efforts made by the Organising Committee for Asian Cup 2015, as well as the excellent arrangements which have been made in order to create the conditions which will ensure the success of this major footballing event, and provide every necessary comfort for the participating teams,” said Shaikh Salman.
Shaikh Salman also noted the strong cooperation between the Australian authorities and the AFC to finalise all the necessary requirements ahead of the start of the tournament.
He added that the AFC Asian Cup reflects the level of the game throughout the continent and that it will attract the world’s attention over the course of the next three weeks as the planet witnesses an exciting competition with Asia’s best sides taking part.
“The AFC Asian Cup represents a golden opportunity to improve the level of the game in Asia by affording the participating teams more experience, and by injecting new, young and talented players who will play a major part in the future of their respective teams,” said Shaikh Salman.
The AFC President concluded his statement by thanking the national football federations in Asia for their significant cooperation with the Organising Committee for Asian Cup 2015 and for preparing their respective teams for the tournament.
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By WaMackie - 9 Jan 2015 3:34 PM
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/01/09/asian-powerbrokers-line-support-blatter
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A parade of powerful Asian football officials lined up to back Sepp Blatter's bid for a fifth consecutive term as FIFA president on Friday, underlining the task candidate Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein has in unseating the Swiss incumbent.
Source:
Reuters
9 Jan 2015 - 1:33 PM UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO
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The Jordanian prince's decision to run for world football's top job has breathed new life into the race but senior officials at an Asian Football Confederation meeting in Melbourne said the 47-member Asian bloc was united in its backing for Blatter.
AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said the governing body had agreed to back Blatter at meetings in 2013 and 2014 and the position had not wavered.
"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," Shaikh Salman told reporters after the AFC extraordinary congress in Melbourne on Friday.
"We all know the decision has been made -- if we are committed we never change our word.
"I don’t want to give false hopes to anybody. I have to be clear on that."
Prince Ali, an AFC vice president, was one of the last to arrive at the congress and swept into the meeting room at a luxury hotel in Melbourne in campaign mode, shaking hands with every delegate within reach.
He has strong European backing in the presidential race, which culminates in an election in Zurich in May, but analysts believe the key battleground will be Asia, with the African bloc having already pledged their support for Blatter.
The Jordanian royal may also find support in CONCACAF, the confederation of North American and Caribbean countries, which is no longer as solidly behind Blatter as it was in the past.
The support of Olympic Council of Asia boss Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, one of the world's most powerful sports officials, has been seen as vital for Prince Ali's hopes of swaying Asian candidates.
But the Kuwaiti also poured cold water on his candidacy.
"I think as Asia, what we said for two years, we are with Blatter," Sheikh Ahmad told Reuters.
"I doubt it (will change)."
Sheikh Ahmad later told reporters Prince Ali had not consulted other AFC members in his decision to run.
"It's his decision, he took this decision without calling anybody, or waiting for anybody to give his review or idea.
When asked if he thought Blatter deserved another term Sheikh Ahmad said: "I think, yes," despite a myriad of allegations of corruption that have harmed the governing body's image in recent years.
"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.
"I think I was clear. Kuwait will vote for Blatter."
Despite the claims of unanimous support for Blatter, a number of member nations declined to state their position.
Australia's football federation said in a statement their board had yet to decide. Another senior AFC official cast doubt on the idea that the bloc would vote in unity for Blatter.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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