Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa "ruled out a future bid" for the FIFA presidency, "saying he had long-term ambitions for the continent," which will host its second World Cup in '22, according to the AFP. Salman, who is seeking re-election next year, "said that even another four years in the Asian job would not be enough." When asked if he "saw himself as a potential leader" of FIFA, he said, "No, no, no. You ask me this question today, my only focus is about Asia. I think there's a lot that needs to be done here. Two years or another four years, I don't think it's enough. So my focus is just to look into the confederation and what changes we can make." FIFA VP Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan is "also reportedly considering standing." Likewise Sheikh Salman looks set to "retain his position next year by
winning an election, which would also see him installed" as a FIFA VP, after the AFC "decided to combine the two positions" (AFP, 12/1). The AP's John Duerden reported Sheikh Salman said that "any challenger has to
consider what is best for the continent as a whole." He said, "If
someone wants to run, they have to look at the interests of the whole
continent. ... But it is a free choice, if they want to run, we can't stop
them." He added that there had been "no change to the AFC's decision at a congress in
June to back the re-election of [FIFA President Sepp] Blatter." Salman: "It was a unanimous decision. After making the decision, we have to support it" (AP, 11/29).
