FIFA chief candidate to visit Jakarta

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Issa Hayatou, a candidate for FIFA's presidency from Cameroon, plans to arrive in Jakarta on Friday in his campaign tour against the incumbent chief Joseph Blatter.

Tri Goestoro, the secretary-general of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), said that Hayatou, who is the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was scheduled to meet PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar for support.

"Hayatou expects PSSI not only to support him, but also to be able to play its role in influencing country members of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)," he said in a press release here on Wednesday.

Hayatou, who is FIFA's vice president, has been lobbying a number of FIFA members. He has pushed ahead with his campaign by raising an allegation of Blatter's involvement in financial mismanagement.

Blatter of Switzerland, who succeeded the post vacated by then president Brazilian Joao Havelange, has denied the allegations and warned that the perpetrators of the issue could face time in jail if they could not prove he was guilty.

Lennart Johnson, the president of the European soccer association, UEFA, has so far thrown his weight behind Hayatou. The presidency for the next term will be decided on May 29 when FIFA holds a congress in Seoul just two days before the World Cup kicks off.

Asked about Indonesia's stance, whether it would take sides with Blatter or Hayatou, Tri said that PSSI would have to consult other AFC members in a meeting in Seoul on May 25.

"We have a consensus that we will only give our support to the person when we have already thoroughly considered both candidates," Tri said.

He also disclosed Blatter's move to approach the PSSI, in which the FIFA boss had pledged assistance to Indonesia.

"Just wait and see which is more convincing in their follow up and promises of action. We will see, for example, whether they are concerned with our FIFA Goal project," he said.

Accompanied by deputy secretary general of the Korean Football Association (KFA), Hayatou is scheduled to make a press conference with the local media on Friday afternoon.

Agum Gumelar, according to Tri, was enthusiastic about Hayatou's planned tour, saying, "it would be give Indonesian soccer good exposure to the world".