August 27 – Australia has become a full member the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), which represents south-east Asia, the latest move in the country’s efforts to secure complete integration into Asian football.
The decision was taken after a unanimous vote by the 11 member associations at an AFF Extraordinary Congress and will enable Australia to participate in AFF competitions as well as enjoying full political membership of the regional body.
Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006. “Whilst this could be seen as the final piece in Australia’s integration into AFC (Asian Football Confederation), it is more appropriate to say this is the beginning of a mutual commitment to the advancement of football in South East Asia,” said AFC vice president Moya Dodd.
Australia’s membership symbolically came 500 days before it hosts the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. The decision was also welcomed by AFF general secretary Lt General Dato Azzuddin Ahmad (pictured). “FFA today joins the other 11 countries of AFF as an equal and we look forward to working closely with Australia in the years to come,” Ahmad said.
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