Bin Hammam coy ahead of Fifa election announcement

15 Mar 2011 06:24 - Staff Reporter

The Asian Football Confederation president says he is refusing to reveal until Friday whether he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the Fifa presidency.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam says he is refusing to reveal until Friday whether he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the Fifa presidency.

Bin Hammam told reporters to wait for a scheduled news conference at the confederation’s Malaysian headquarters.

The 61-year-old Qatari has served on Fifa’s executive committee since 1996. Blatter has been Fifa president since 1998 and is up for re-election June 1 for a fourth four-year term.

Journalists gathered at the AFC’s office on Wednesday, but Bin Hammam focused on an agreement with Premier League club Chelsea on football development.

He laughed when asked about the Fifa presidency, saying, “I know this doesn’t satisfy your curiosity, but I promise on Friday, there will be something.”—Sapa-AP