Saudi backing for Lebanon threatens to split AFC

Saudi backing for Lebanon threatens to split AFC

ABU DHABI (AFP): Saudi Arabia's insistence that Lebanon must host the 2000 Asian Cup threatens to tear apart the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), according to senior AFC officials.

If Lebanon wins the vote this weekend it will be the first time the Cup, the showcase of Asian football, has not alternated between West and East Asia.

And AFC senior officials admit privately that a Lebanon vote could cause untold damage to the organization that runs football in the region.

With the United Arab Emirates hosting the 1996 Cup it was assumed by AFC officials that the 2000 tournament would switch to the East, with either South Korea, China or Malaysia hosting the championship.

But Saudi Arabia has decided to support Lebanon, which when it first announced its intention to bid was ranked as outsider.

South Korea is expected to withdraw its name before the vote is taken to reduce the number of East Asian countries. Attempts were also made to get Malaysia to pull out to make the vote a straight choice between China and Lebanon but AFC sources say the Malaysian government opposed it.

"The Arab countries are always looking for a cause and they have decided to back Lebanon. Football is being forced to take a back seat to politics," said one AFC official.

Although the Arab nations in the 16-strong AFC executive committee have only six votes, Saudi clout is likely to convince at least four of the East Asian members to support it.

AFC general secretary Peter Velappan, trying to play down the potential damage a Lebanon victory could do to his organization, said yesterday: "We have an unwritten rule that every four years the tournament moves from one side of Asia to the other. I hope that tradition continues."

But AFC officials fear that the organization will be split between Arab Asians and 'Asian' Asians if Lebanon wins.

"If this happens the damage could be devastating," commented one official.

Officials insist that China is the natural choice for the next Asian Cup.

"Lebanon poses problems with security, facilities and marketing. The Executive Committee should make their vote based on what is best to advance the Asian Cup and the AFC. Nothing else," said one official.

"Everything points to China. It will be a tragedy if they do not get the vote," he added.

Tension between the two Asian blocks has been heightened by the failure of East Asia's teams in the Asian Cup here.

Pre-tournament favorites South Korea and Japan, who are cohosting the 2002 World Cup, both failed to make the semi- finals. Japan crashed to Kuwait and South Korea were humiliated by Iran in the quarterfinals.

China, East Asia's remaining hope, was thrashed by Saudi Arabia.

With four West Asian countries filling the four semifinal spots a Lebanon vote would only add salt to an already inflamed wound.

Last minute attempts to get Saudi Arabia and Lebanon to change their minds are underway but AFC officials are not optimistic.

"We are always hopeful but things are not looking good. But we will try right to the last minute," said an AFC fficial.