By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 18 – The man who has been running Asian football for just under a year faces a revolt from within his own Confederation amid accusations of trying to increase his power base by unconstitutionally changing the statutes.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who won a landslide victory to become Asian Football Confederation president last May pledging to restore unity among the various factions within the vast Continent, is understood to be seeking FIFA backing this week that would allow the next elected AFC chief to automatically also assume the position of FIFA vice-president.
In a recent interview with Insideworldfootball, Salman admitted that whoever wins the 2015 AFC Presidential election should probably become FIFA vice-president too. But his critics are crying foul, accusing him of undermining his own constituents by unilaterally going against their will without the requisite ballot.
Since 2011 Asia’s FIFA vice-presidency has been held by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan who won it in a democratic vote – just like Salman did for AFC president – and badly wants another four-year mandate to complete his programme of much-needed reforms.
Crucially, opponents of Prince Ali failed dismally at last year’s AFC Congress to get the rules over Asia’s FIFA vice-presidency changed. A proposed amendment put forward by Pakistan – a video of which has been leaked to Insideworldfootball and can be seen here – was overwhelmingly crushed by all but two of Asia’s 47 member nations.
But now, according to senior AFC sources, Salman is using an alternative tactic of streamlining both positions by trying to persuade FIFA’s executive committee to back the idea. Although the item is not formally on this week’s Zurich Executive Committee agenda, it is understood it will be discussed during any other business.
“He is riding roughshod over the decision of our Congress,” said one high-ranking AFC source. “He’s trying to find another avenue to manipulate the rules, for no reason other than ego. If he wants to be FIFA vice-president, why doesn’t he just run according to the statutes in the normal democratic way?”
If Salman manages to persuade FIFA president Sepp Blatter and the majority of exco members to support his plan, it would almost certainly be binding across all six confederations. Under those circumstances, Asia would not be the only region that would be forced to rip up its rule book. South America has a similar FIFA vice-presidency structural process as Asia and would presumably also have to make the corresponding changes.
“Conmebol is fiercely against this and so is Africa and UEFA,” said another AFC source. “Our Confederation has the right to vote for whom it pleases, not have FIFA impose our representation on us. What kind of a message is this sending to Asia? It’s going to be a big battle.”
The latest debacle casts a dark shadow over Asian football’s apparent attempt to clean up its act after years of mismanagement. Prince Ali, the youngest member of FIFA’s exco who some believe is too progressive, seems certain to oppose his own confederation chief in what promises to be a heated debate at FIFA headquarters this week.
Rumour is rife that Blatter may side with Salman but the last thing Asia needs at this sensitive time is a split in its ranks.
To add extra spice to the proceedings, there is growing speculation that Prince Ali, if he finds that his position is merged with the AFC presidency, may have no alternative but to challenge Salman for the top job next year, with both men keen to continue the work they have started to improve the fortunes of Asian football on and off the field.
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