GOA: The Asian Football Confederation issued the following statement after its extraordinary election congress was called off following a vote against the agenda:

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The AFC Member Associations voted 42-1 in favour of not continuing with an agenda which included the election of three additional members to the FIFA Council.

In concluding the 27-minute AFC Extraordinary Congress, the AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa told the delegates and guests: “This has been an eventful morning – and an eventful few weeks.

“But the Congress has spoken with one voice and that has been clear for us all to see. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, I am not sure if you have been at a shorter Congress but I think you can see the strength of opinion in the room.”

After the Congress, the AFC held an emergency Executive Committee meeting where Shaikh Salman added: “Today the AFC and Asian football has shown solidarity and unity. The message has been clear to everyone both inside and outside Asia.

“Football in Asia is united and that is down to you – the Members – and I thank you for sending out such a strong message that we stand united.”

The AFC Executive Committee co-opted Zhang Jian, from China PR, to sit on the Committee until the next Extraordinary Congress. The AFC will now engage with FIFA to establish the timeline for convening the next Congress.