By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Mohamed Bin Hammam can count on the support of at least 10 members of his Asian Confederation when he bids for the presidency of FIFA on June 1.
The 10-nation East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) confirmed today that it would back Bin Hammam against incumbent Sepp Blatter.
“The EAFF Executive Committee…has unanimously welcomed the decision of Mr. Mohamed Bin Hammam, President of AFC (Asian Football Confederation), to stand for the Presidency of FIFA,” the federation said in a statement.
EAFF President Chung Yun Cho also expressed full support for Bin Hammam’s bid to end Blatter’s 13-year-reign at the helm of world football’s governing body.
The SAFF already made its position clear after the AFC chief’s visit to India last week.
Bin Hammam also has the backing of his former foe and honorary chairman of the Korean Football Association, Chung Mong-Joon, but has a battle on his hands trying to persuade the majority of his own confederation to support him rather than split their vote.
Bin Hammam is currently touring the world canvassing backing to become FIFA’s first Asian President and its ninth overall.
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