By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – The Asian Football Confederation has been quick to respond to accusations by FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon that it is guilty of “electoral fraud” in the race to succeed Sepp Blatter.
Chung has accused his own confederation of breaking both electoral and ethical rules by sending unsolicited template letters to Asian members calling on them to follow the party line by voting for Michel Platini at the election in February.
Chung says efforts to influence Asian countries undermines the fairness of the poll in direct violation of FIFA statutes , represents underhand tactics and has called for an official inquiry.
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has made no secret of his support for Platini and in a diplomatically-worded statement, the AFC insisted it had broken no moral codes of conduct.
Openly admitting that Salman had “already expressed his personal preference for the candidacy of Michel Platini” rather than one of its own, the AFC nevertheless said all its FAs were “free to vote for the candidate of their choice” and added: “Any association who wishes to support a specific candidacy – or to announce their own candidate – is free to do so, whether by letter, via media conferences and statements, or through any other way that they so choose.”
Although Salman has no vote as AFC chief, the statement made the point that it is normal procedure for confederations to provide guidance – but not to force the hand of individual members.
“One of AFC’s roles, like any Confederation, is to act as a collective voice for its associations within FIFA. Many AFC member associations have, unsurprisingly, contacted AFC to ask how they can express their support for a specific candidate.”
“A growing majority of AFC member associations have also expressed their support for Mr Platini’s candidacy, based on his credentials to lead world football, whilst others have expressed an interest for other candidates, have expressed no interest at all, or are waiting before making up their minds.”
Tellingly, however, the statement made no mention as such of the circulated letter and did not address why the AFC secretariat had sent it or who was responsible. So far FIFA has not responded to Chung’s claims and whether or not it will launch an investigation into the AFC’s alleged conduct.
