By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
April 15 – The race for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation has taken a dramatic new twist with the news that FIFA vice-president Worawi Makudi may not be able to count on the unanimous support of his own south-east Asia region.
The AFF makes up almost a quarter of the 47-nation AFC membership and comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
But InsideWorldFootball has learned that doubts have been expressed by some Asean countries over whether Makudi would be the right man for the job because of his questionable past.
Makudi was one of those who accompanied bin Hammam to the infamous meeting in Trinidad in May 2011 where the Qatari is alleged to have handed out $40,000 to Caribbean Football Union members in what became known as the cash-for-votes scandal. Makudi was subsequently questioned by FIFA investigators but denied any knowledge of any wrongdoing.
Also in 2011, Makudi strongly denied claims that he misused thousands of dollars’ worth of FIFA development grants to build facilities on land that he personally owned in and around Bangkok. Although he was investigated and cleared of any wrongdoing – he claimed the allegations were designed to defame his reputation – rumours and speculation have long since persisted.
Makudi has also strongly refuted unsubstantiated claims that he sought broadcasting rights for a possible Thailand versus England friendly in return for voting for England to host the 2018 World Cup.
Recently, however, the way Makudi runs Thai football was questioned by a parliamentary committee in his very own country. A FIFA executive committee member since 1997, he has been reluctant to discuss whether his ties to Bin Hammam and previous corruption allegations might damage his campaign.
But earlier this month, at an Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, it is understood delegates unexpectedly expressed their concern with Makudi’s past dealings. High-ranking sources have told InsideWorldFootball that “senior members” of the Asean Council suggested that support for Makudi be put on hold until such issues were further studied.
“It became clear that a significant number of Asean members were uncomfortable with taking a position of unity behind Makudi,” said one insider who attended the meeting.
“It was made manifestly clear that if allegations against Makudi are ever proven, it would put Asean countries in a very difficult position. You need 24 votes to win the election. Being able to rely on half of that total would be a very significant advantage. But if you haven’t got the support of your own people, obviously that’s a setback.”
It is believed Makudi, in defence of his position, shrugged off the allegations and made it clear that all such claims were completely unfounded. But the source told InsideWorldFootball: “It is highly possible at this stage that the Asean members will vote individually according to their best judgement.”
The news that south-east Asian countries may not, after all, vote as a bloc will be music to the ears of the other three contenders vying for one of the most powerful positions in world football – Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Yousuf Al Serkal of the United Arab Emirates and Hafez Ibrahim Al Medlej of Saudi Arabia.
The first two, in particular, have been lobbying heavily and with just two weeks to go before the May 2 elections, Sheikh Salman is due to hold a press conference in Bahrain tomorrow outlining why he should become the man to lead Asian football into a new era of much-needed transparency after a succession of damaging scandals.
There are growing questions about Sheikh Salman’s involvement in the squashing of the uprising in Bahrain and the sanctions taken against athletes, including national team players. Sheikh Salman is a member of the hard-line ruling family that has imprisoned and tortured protestors.
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