KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: International football’s gallop to cosy up with Saudi Arabia continued at events around the Asian confederation’s annual awards in Seoul.

Saudi Arabia is guaranteed to be selected shorty by international governing body FIFA as 2036 World Cup host without objection despite controversy over its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made no secret of his encouragement of the state and its companies to help fund his ever-expanding competition ambitions. Infantino, not to be forgotten, was also presented with an award of his own.

Now the Asian confederation, in which Saudi is an increasingly influential member, has been awarded a newly-devised AFC president’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution.

A statement described the SAFF as a “model member” and said the award had been devised “to celebrate the exceptional efforts by a member association or an individual towards elevating football development in Asia . . . with the SAFF emerging as worthy recipients for playing a pivotal role in supporting the larger Asian football family.”

AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has continued to lead the way in Asian unity and solidarity in recent years, and this historic award is a tribute to their commitment to enhance the development of Asian football.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to play a more instrumental role not only in Asian football, but in the global game and the AFC will continue to work in close partnership with the SAFF to support their ambitions.”

The AFC statement added: “Under the leadership of president Yasser Almisehal, the SAFF has been ever ready to answer the clarion call, serving as neutral match venue hosts and supporting the staging of several marquee AFC events, which include the highly acclaimed AFC member associations and regional associations presidents’ and general secretaries’ conference in 2023 and 2024, as well as hosting numerous AFC committee meetings.

“The federation has also made progressive strides in the advancement of women’s football in recent years, with the introduction of its SAFF Women’s Premier League in October 2022 and its women’s national team marking its debut on the international football stage in September 2021 before officially entering the FIFA World Ranking in March 2023.

“Additionally, the Kingdom will be the focal point of two of the most prestigious tournaments in the AFC calendar – the AFC Champions League Elite Final Stage 2024-25 and 2025-26, as well as the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, reinforcing its standing as a model member association on the continent.”

Not only but also . . .

FIFA supremo Infantino was also an award recipient, being handed AFC Diamond of Asia – described by the AFC as “the most esteemed individual accolade in Asian football” in recognition of “his visionary leadership and unwavering support towards the development of Asian football and the global game.”

An obsequious – if not sycophantic – statement praised Infantino for delivering “groundbreaking governance reforms, which have helped to restore confidence in the global game and the broader world of sport.”

Certainly Asia’s status in the world game cannot be denied after it staging of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

Shaikh Salman saidsaid: “The Asian football family is forever grateful to president Infantino for his steadfast support and dedication towards strengthening the beautiful game across our great continent.

“His devotion and passion for the game and commitment to the reforms agenda have left a remarkable imprint not only in restoring worldwide confidence and belief in our sport, but also in unifying our global football family, including Asia, and we are extremely honoured to be celebrating his remarkable contributions to Asian football.

“The solid foundations we find ourselves in today are a tribute to president Infantino’s capabilities and wisdom and now the stage is set for an expanded FIFA World Cup in 2026 where a record minimum of eight Asian teams will compete in the global spectacle, reinforcing the message that football is truly global, which ultimately augurs well for our ambitions to solidify football as the No1 sport on the continent.”

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