Shaikh Salman: AFC president 'urged to stand for Fifa leadership'
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Loading... - Tristan Lahm
- 20 Oct 2020
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Shaikh Salman, the most powerful man in Asian football, says "senior" figures in the game have told him to run for the Fifa presidency.
In a letter to members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee, the 49-year-old Bahraini said he is not yet a candidate.
But he added he had been urged to stand "by a growing number of senior football administrators, Fifa members and personalities of public life".
The election takes place in February.
The deadline for candidates to submit the relevant paperwork - together with letters of support from five football associations - is 26 October.
Shaikh Salman publicly backed Uefa chief Michel Platini for the Fifa presidency in July but now appears open to stepping forward himself following the Frenchman's 90-day suspension.
Profile: Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa |
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Aged 49. Born in Bahrain. Cousin of the King of Bahrain. |
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President of the Asian Football Confederation since 2013. Former head of Bahrain FA. |
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Fifa vice-president. |
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Chaired Fifa committee that decided dates for 2022 Qatar World Cup. |
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Supports Manchester United and is a keen hunter of wild boar. |
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Faced human rights questions over arrest of Bahrain footballers involved in pro-democracy protests during the Arab Spring. |
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Denied Bahrain FA had been involved in 'non-footballing activities'. |
Platini, 60, is suspended as Fifa studies reports he received a £1.35m payment in 2011 from Sepp Blatter, who will step down as head of the world governing body in February.
Both Platini and Blatter, who is also suspended, deny any wrongdoing.
In his letter of 18 October, Shaikh Salman said he had not "actively considered" running and added: "More importantly, I am not a candidate today."
The Bahraini also urged AFC executives to consult with him and give their views, insisting he will not make up his mind until he has heard from them.
"You and the AFC membership that you represent are the people that I am responsible to and whom I am elected to guide and serve," he wrote.
"Without seeking your views, I would fail in my duties. It is largely in your hands if I accept the challenge."
Shaikh Salman - AFC president since July 2013 - said he would also take advice from close friends, advisers and his family before deciding whether to be a candidate.
His AFC presidential campaign was overshadowed by allegations that he was complicit in human rights abuses during pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in 2011, something he strenuously denies.
Meanwhile, an "extraordinary" meeting of Fifa executives is expected to confirm on Tuesday the presidential election date of 26 February will remain unchanged.
The ongoing reform process is also expected to be discussed, with Francois Carrard - the chairman of the Fifa committee examining various options - due to present an update.
