AFC merges FIFA seat with presidency; Prince Ali puts unity on top

AMMAN –– Asian Football Confederation (AFC) extraordinary congress on Monday  voted to merge the region's presidency with the FIFA vice-presidency starting from 2015, a move HRH Prince Ali supported to preserve unity in the continent's governing body of the sport.

At a meeting held in Brazil's Sao Paulo, the congress approved the amendments to the AFC statutes proposed by the AFC member associations relating to the formation of the executive committee. This amendment means that the individual elected as AFC president at the elective congress in 2015 shall automatically assume the position of FIFA vice-president.
Prince Ali, who is also president of the Jordan Football Association and head of the West Asia Football Association, was elected as Asia’s FIFA vice president for Asia in 2011, while Bahrain's Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa is AFC president.  

In an open letter to the Asian football community in April, Prince Ali criticised the proposal to merge the two posts saying it was politically-motivated, and urged Sheikh Salman to spend less time on politics and more on developing the sport. 

But in a statement following the vote, the prince said he asked all member associations present at AFC congress ahead of the vote to pass this amendment and to be united in this vote for the best of Asia. 

"The AFC congress yesterday agreed on a proposal made by a number of member associations to merge the position of FIFA vice president with the AFC presidency starting from 2015. In the spirit of Asian solidarity and harmony, I asked all member associations present at AFC congress ahead of the vote to pass this amendment and to be united in this vote for the best of Asia," Prince Ali said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times. 

"Our unity as a confederation is crucial at a time when we must work together to develop football in Asia; which I believe is our core mission. A mission I am committed to. It is far more important than positions, chairs and seats," he added. 

Prince Ali said he would spare no effort to work towards  the development of football in particular and sport in general as FIFA vice president until the new elections are held in 2015.

"It is my hope that I can leave behind a football legacy that is making a difference for all football players, both men and women, from working to allow headscarf wearers to play the game they love to activating social responsibility in football and creating opportunities for youth to enjoy the sport and uphold its true values. I remain committed to continuing my football journey forward through AFC, FIFA and Asian Football Development Project."