MANAMA: Asian chief Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa was re-elected unopposed and became a FIFA vice president on Thursday as he strengthened his grip on football in the region.

The Bahraini royal, hosting the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) congress in his home city of Manama, was “elected by acclamation” to a four-year term until 2019.

Shaikh Salman, 49, also became a FIFA vice president after the AFC decided to amalgamate the two roles, significantly increasing his reach.

He swept to power in 2013 promising a clean slate after his predecessor Mohamed bin Hammam was banned from football mid-term over alleged bribery and financial wrongdoing.

Shaikh Salman is a strong supporter of Sepp Blatter and has pledged Asian backing for the veteran Swiss’s election for a fifth term as FIFA president later this month.

Kuwait powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad al Fahad al Sabah was also elected unopposed to a two-year term on FIFA’s executive committee after all other candidates withdrew.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2015

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