Zhang says Asia needs overhaul
Source: Agencies |
June 2, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ACTING Asian Football Confederation chief Zhang Jilong thinks the continent needs a soccer 'revolution' to rid the game of its ills.
Zhang, as senior vice-president, took charge of the AFC after President Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended by FIFA from all soccer activity on Sunday in the worst corruption scandal ever to hit the sport's international governing body.
"I think the Asian football environment is not that healthy," the 59-year-old said in an interview in English on CCTV. "We need, let's say, a revolution, we need reform to make more clear and more fair play environment in Asian football areas."
Zhang earlier denied media reports that he had said that Qatari Bin Hammam remained in charge at the AFC.
"Media reports published by some media organizations are inaccurate and do not reflect my position," he said. "I am following the development closely and given the current circumstances, I will serve as acting president of the AFC in the best of my abilities and I sincerely hope that this issue will be resolved in the best interest of Asian football."
Bin Hammam, 62, had been due to stand against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency but withdrew his candidacy before facing an ethics committee hearing into the bribery allegations.
"I'm very sorry to see the current crisis in FIFA, as well as in the AFC, as it spoils the game of football," Zhang told CCTV. "We have to clear all this and to give more beauty and clear pictures for football development both in FIFA and AFC."
As well as reform off the pitch, Zhang said the continent's footballers would have to improve on the pitch to give Asia a bigger voice in world football.
"The fundamental skills in Asia is not as strong as in Europe or South America so the basis is poor in Asia," he added. "So we need to unite together and work harder to get more attention from the rest of the world to the AFC."
Zhang, as senior vice-president, took charge of the AFC after President Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended by FIFA from all soccer activity on Sunday in the worst corruption scandal ever to hit the sport's international governing body.
"I think the Asian football environment is not that healthy," the 59-year-old said in an interview in English on CCTV. "We need, let's say, a revolution, we need reform to make more clear and more fair play environment in Asian football areas."
Zhang earlier denied media reports that he had said that Qatari Bin Hammam remained in charge at the AFC.
"Media reports published by some media organizations are inaccurate and do not reflect my position," he said. "I am following the development closely and given the current circumstances, I will serve as acting president of the AFC in the best of my abilities and I sincerely hope that this issue will be resolved in the best interest of Asian football."
Bin Hammam, 62, had been due to stand against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency but withdrew his candidacy before facing an ethics committee hearing into the bribery allegations.
"I'm very sorry to see the current crisis in FIFA, as well as in the AFC, as it spoils the game of football," Zhang told CCTV. "We have to clear all this and to give more beauty and clear pictures for football development both in FIFA and AFC."
As well as reform off the pitch, Zhang said the continent's footballers would have to improve on the pitch to give Asia a bigger voice in world football.
"The fundamental skills in Asia is not as strong as in Europe or South America so the basis is poor in Asia," he added. "So we need to unite together and work harder to get more attention from the rest of the world to the AFC."
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