Prince Ali ‘too early’ for FIFA top job
Print Edition
ASIA’S powerful Olympic chief Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah yesterday underlined his support for Sepp Blatter to remain as FIFA president despite a challenge by Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president said it was “too early” for Prince Ali, 39, to take over from Blatter, 78, who will stand for a fifth term in charge of the world football body. The Kuwaiti is considered highly influential in world sport, owing to his leadership of both the OCA and the Association of National Olympic Committees.
“When I commit, I commit. I repeat my commitment to Blatter for him to run for one more term,” Sheikh Ahmad said. “As to Prince Ali, I support him to keep his career in FIFA. If he takes my advice, I think it is too early for him. I was speaking for Kuwait. We will support Blatter very strongly and we will not allow anyone to challenge him.”
Prince Ali is an ally of Blatter rival and UEFA President Michel Platini, meaning he can count on a significant number of the European body’s 54 votes in the election in May.
But he may have trouble winning support in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), whose leadership is close to Sheikh Ahmed.
Prince Ali heads to Melbourne for tomorrow’s AFC Extraordinary Congress, aiming to convince Asian members he is the man to clean up world governing body.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
