GOA: South Korea’s Chung Mong Gyu, who withdrew surprisingly from contention for an Asian slot on the FIFA Council, has been named as AFC vice-president for the confederation’s east zone.

Chung takes up the place left vacant by the retirement of veteran Chinese administrator Zhang Jilong after approval today from AFC executive committee.

In July Chung, South Korea’s chef de mission at the Rio 2016 Olympics, said he had decided to focus on his Games role rather than tomorrow’s AFC election in Goa, western India, for additional members on the expanded world governing body.

The KFA president, a 54-year-old former commissioner of the K-League, is a younger cousin of former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon.

Tributes to Zhang, president of the FIFA Olympic organising committee for London 2012, were led by Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president.

Sheikh Salman said: “On behalf of the AFC Executive Committee, I would like to put on record my thanks for Zhang Jilong’s support and outstanding work.

“Through his tireless devotion, unparalleled expertise and love for our game, Jilong dedicated so much to Asian football – especially when he was acting President in 2013. In every way, Asian football has certainly been enriched and inspired by his dedicated service.

“There is no doubt his wise counsel will be missed.”

Zhang’s journey in football administration began in 1978 within the Chinese Football Association. From 2000 to 2011, he chaired the AFC Finance Committee. He was elected AFC vice-president for the first time in 2002 and served as acting president from June 2011 to May 2013 after the life ban imposed on Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam.

He also sat on various other FIFA committees, including those for futsal, refereeing and security.

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