By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The acting head of Asian football, China’s Zhang Jilong (pictured), has revealed for the first time that he would like the post on a permanent basis after replacing the suspended Mohamed Bin Hammam.
Bin Hammam was banned for life last year over the cash-for-votes scandal that prevented him running against FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Although Bin Hammam is still appealing the verdict with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Zhang Jilong, who was named acting head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) pending the appeal, has declared he wants the job permanently.
The admission came at a meeting of AFC officials in the Chinese city of Macau, according to Hong Kong-based newspaper the South China Morning Post.
“I am interested in becoming President permanently on the condition that I am recognised by all my friends and brothers on the Executive Committee, as well as the other 46 members’ associations,” Zhang said.
“We need to be one family, as brothers, for we are on one boat sailing towards the future.
“If I become President permanently, I wish to work for the solidarity and development of Asian football.”
The AFC is legally bound to replace Bin Hammam full time at its May congress if the CAS does not deliver a decision by then.
No date has yet been set.
Bin Hamman has described the charges against him as “politically motivated”.
He recently sought to block Zhang’s appointment as the acting AFC chief, again in front of the CAS, but failed.
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November 2011: Bin Hammam formally launches battle to clear his name at CAS
