Asia expected to back Blatter

Asia expected to back Blatter

SEOUL: Most Asian nations will back FIFA president Sepp Blatter
in his re-election bid this week, Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) executive members said Monday.

The AFC held a special meeting in Seoul ahead of FIFA's
special congress and presidential election this week to decide
whether to back Blatter -- who has been accused of corruption and
mismanagement -- or African Football Confederation (CAF)
president Issa Hayatou.

AFC general secretary Peter Velappan said no formal decision
to support Blatter or Hayatou was taken but AFC delegates to the
FIFA congress on Tuesday and Wednesday indicated to AFP that
Blatter was the favorite.

Korean Football Association chief Chung Mong-Joon spoke in
favor of Hayatou at the meeting and AFC president Mohammad bin
Hammam spoke for his ally Blatter. --AFP