West Asia delays call on who to back for AFC job

Yousef Al Serkal of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Hafez Al Medlej of Saudi Arabia, all from the WAFF zone, have nominated for the vacant Asian Football Confederation presidency.

Long-time FIFA Executive Committee member Worawi Makudi of Thailand is the only other candidate ahead of the May 2 election, which will determine who leads the continental football body until 2015.

Having three West Asian candidates potentially splitting support gives Worawi, the only candidate from the eastern half of the confederation, a natural advantage.

FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein called a meeting in Amman on Wednesday to give the West Asian candidates a chance to present their plans and programs to regional delegates. No decision was reached among the representatives of 10 football associations, but the concept of supporting a single candidate hasn't been ruled out.

"It was a unanimous decision to support all nominees and to create an opportunity for an open dialogue ... to agree on one candidate who will carry the AFC presidency for the development of this sport at all levels," Prince Ali said. Another meeting will be held next month in Amman.