Zhang vows to clean house in Asia
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Shanghai Daily, July 25, 2011
The acting president of the Asian Football Confederation has promised to tackle corruption and restore transparency after FIFA found the regional body's former chief Mohamed bin Hammam guilty of bribery and banned him for life.
The 62-year-old Qatari plans to appeal the penalty handed down to him in Zurich, Switzerland, on Saturday, while Zhang Jilong said he would press ahead with restoring the game's credibility in Asia.
"The AFC respects FIFA's decision and we also acknowledge former AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam's inalienable right to lodge an appeal," Zhang said in a statement.
However, he insisted that the AFC would clamp down on the embarrassing betting and corruption scandals tarnishing the game across the region.
"This is a difficult period for us because Asian football is currently facing multiple challenges, the biggest of which is match-fixing," he said.
"I, in my capacity as the acting AFC president, am aware of the urgent need to provide a strong leadership that will work closely with member associations towards creating a climate of trust and confidence," Zhang added, setting out his manifesto.
"During my provisional presidency, I promise that the AFC will govern the continent's football affairs in complete transparency, fairness and harmony.
"The best of Asian football is yet to come and AFC will work tirelessly towards ensuring that the collective interests of the great sport we love will prevail in our continent."
Bin Hammam, who has been on FIFA's executive committee since 1996, was found guilty of attempting to buy the votes of Caribbean Football Union officials ahead of the FIFA presidential election on June 1.
The AFC chief since 2002, bin Hammam, pulled out of the race at the end of May and was suspended by FIFA, leaving Sepp Blatter to be re-elected unopposed for a fourth term.
Guilty verdict
His guilty verdict could even have ramifications for Qatar's successful bid for the 2022 World Cup.
The tiny Gulf emirate won the right to 2022 last December but has had to issue several statements denying allegations of corruption connected with their surprise win.
Former AFC general secretary Peter Velappan welcomed the life ban on bin Hammam, describing the Qatari as "the architect of bribery and corruption" in the region.
"Justice is done and it's good for FIFA and good for football," Velappan, a longtime critic of bin Hammam, said from Kuala Lumpur in a telephone interview yesterday. "I hope FIFA will continue this relentless effort to also bring the other rogues in the FIFA executive committee to account."
Velappan urged FIFA to conduct wide-ranging investigations into Qatar's winning bid for the 2022 World Cup and into allegations of corruption at all levels, saying organizers should "spare no effort in getting to the very root of all these things."
In an editorial yesterday, Dubai-based sports daily Sport360 praised bin Hammam's vow to clear his name and remain part of his country's decade-long effort to stage the 2022 World Cup, saying FIFA's ban "stinks."
"FIFA's attempt in trying to root out corruption is laudable, but its decision to allow Jack Warner, the former FIFA vice president, to go Scot free just because he resigned from his posts, makes the (bin Hammam) judgment laughable," Sport360 said.
Velappan, who served as AFC general secretary from 1978-2007, wants to see a review of the voting procedures that saw the 2022 World Cup awarded to Qatar. "All this comes as a package - the presidential election and the World Cup."
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