ZURICH: Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who is in Zurich to attend FIFA standing committee meetings, has come out in support of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter’s re-election bid.

Blatter had informed members of FIFA’s Executive Committee during a recent meeting at its headquarters that he will seek a fifth term in office. The announcement confirms months of speculation regarding his candidature for FIFA’s top position.

Shaikh Salman, who is also a FIFA Executive Committee member, has reiterated his support for Blatter stating that the FIFA President has always maintained a strong relationship with the AFC.

“Joseph S. Blatter has always been supportive of Asia and has placed great importance in the development of Asian football through various FIFA programmes. Our growth in world football can also be credited to the dynamic relationship that the AFC has with FIFA under the guidance of Mr. Blatter,” he said.

“Mr. Blatter has decades’ worth of experience in governing world football, therefore I have every confidence that he will continue to play an important role in its development,” he added.

The AFC President also said that the Confederation and FIFA will continue to work as one team to address the growing needs of football in Asia, and he trusts that the Asian football family will be united in its support for the candidacy of Mr. Blatter.

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