FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon has launched an
accusation against the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of sending
unsolicited letters to its members telling them to vote for Michel
Platini to become the next president of FIFA.
According to Chung, the letters ask the members to sign a form gicing their support to his French rival.
"Sheikh Salman, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC),
has publicly supported Michel Platini, president of UEFA," read a
statement from Chung.
"We have learned that the AFC has sent
unsolicited letters to almost every AFC member association. Most of the
AFC member countries including China, Japan, Mongolia, India, and
Singapore received this letter. South Korea and Jordan, however, did
not."
The AFC later released a statement, saying it was up to each member to decide for themselves who they would vote for.
"As
in any election, the electorate will be asked for their support by the
candidates and will then be free to vote for the candidate of their
choice; the elections will be held by secret ballot and so no member
will be required to disclose who they have voted for," the statement
said.
"Any association who wishes to support a specific candidacy -
or to announce their own candidate - is free to do so, whether by
letter, via media conferences and statements, or through any other way
that they so choose."
Adressing Chung's complaints about the letters, the AFC said it had
been contacted by "many" member associations seeking advice on how they
could convey their backing of a specific candidate.
"A growing
majority of AFC member associations have also expressed their support
for Mr Platini's candidacy, based on his credentials to lead world
football, whilst others have expressed an interest for other candidates,
have expressed no interest at all, or are waiting before making up
their minds," said the statement
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