Chung Mong-joon Accuses AFC of Influencing Members in FIFA Election

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