GENEVA (AP) — FIFA vice president Sheik Salman of Bahrain will be unopposed for reelection to lead the Asian Football Confederation, while the head of the Saudi Arabian soccer federation is a candidate to join him on the world governing body’s ruling committee.
The 47-nation AFC published its candidate list Tuesday for an election meeting to be held in February in Manama, Bahrain. Seven countries put up candidates — all men — for five FIFA Council seats and five countries are competing for one seat reserved for women.
Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has led the Asian soccer body since 2013 and under current rules would complete his term limit with a final four-year mandate through 2027. As one of soccer’s six continental presidents, he is entitled to be paid $300,000 by FIFA as a vice president.
FIFA pays a $250,000 net sum annually plus expenses to each ordinary member of its 37-strong council which typically meets four times each year.
Saudi soccer federation president Yasser Almisehal is aiming to give his country its first member on the decision-making council since Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president in 2016, when Sheikh Salman placed second.
Saudi Arabia has worked to build close ties to Infantino and prepare to anchor a bid to host the 2030 World Cup, although its candidate four years ago for a FIFA seat failed to get elected.
Qatar’s soccer federation president, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani, is also a first-time candidate at FIFA, and could effectively replace his vice president Saoud Al Mohannadi who is not seeking re-election to represent the 2022 World Cup host.
FIFA seats currently held by departing officials from India and Fiji will be vacant in three months. Incumbents Du Zhaocai of China, Japan’s Kohzo Tashima and Mariano Araneta of the Philippines are candidates again.
The FIFA Council seat saved for an Asian woman is being defended by Mahfuza Akhter of Bangladesh in a contest with candidates from the soccer bodies of Laos, North Korea, Palestine and Taiwan.
Akhter won her seat four years ago in an election race that was disputed by a rival from the Maldives and led to an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court ruled there was “improper influence” in the contest and discrimination by the AFC but did not demand a re-run vote or a change in election rules.
All candidates for a council seat must pass an eligibility test by a FIFA-appointed vetting panel.
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