DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — United Arab Emirates Football Association chief Yousuf al-Sarkal will run for the top job in Asian soccer if Mohammed bin Hammam is not reinstated.
The Asian Football Confederation is expected to hold elections after the Court of Arbitration for Sport hands down its ruling on bin Hammam, who is appealing his life ban from the sport for vote-buying in the FIFA presidential election. The ruling is expected in the coming weeks.
Al-Sarkal, a close ally of bin Hammam who is also an AFC vice president, says he would bring the kind of “experience” the Asian soccer body needs after spending more than two decades with the organization.
Al-Sarkal’s biggest challenger will be Zhang Jilong of China, who has been the acting president since May 2011.
