UAE

Asian football presidential election down to 2 candidates

Published Mar. 21, 2019 7:25 p.m. ET

The challenge for the Asian Football Confederation presidency is down to two candidates.

Mohamed Khalfan Al Romaithi, the chairman of the United Arab Emirates General Authority for Sports, told Ahu Dhabi state-linked media on Thursday that he was withdrawing from the election.

That boosts the campaign of incumbent Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, who is seeking another four-year term in the April 6 election. The Bahraini's only opponent is AFC Vice President Saoud Al-Mohannadi of Qatar.

Al Romaithi was quoted by Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper as saying "my candidacy from the start was not to seek a position. Its main motive was to place Asian football in the right place in the world through a program that reflects my vision of how to develop the game in the world's largest continent."

Al Romaithi employed the CSM agency chaired by IAAF President Sebastian Coe to promote his campaign with a high-profile launch two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi and a 32-page manifesto.

Al Romaithi did not respond to a text message sent by The Associated Press.

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