AFC chief to back Blatter as FIFA head

PTV – KUALA LUMPUR, The president of the Asian Football Confederation says he will support Sepp Blatter to stay in his position as the FIFA president in the next election.

“I will be backing Sepp Blatter to remain in office for a new mandate,” Mohamed Bin Hammam told AFP on Friday.

He also added that he would seek reelection as AFC president next year.

“My aim is to run for the next election of AFC president due at the start of 2011,” said the FIFA executive committee member.

The 61-year-old Qatari has been AFC chief since 2002 and has overseen the launch of the AFC Champions League and the admission of Australia into the confederation.

Blatter was elected FIFA president in 1998 and won a reelection fight in 2002 before being returned unopposed in 2007.

The FIFA president has made clear he has no plans on leaving when his term runs out on June 11, 2011, saying he has not finished his mission.

Before Blatter, Brazil’s Joao Havelange led the world soccer body for 24 years.