FIFA dismisses claim of Blatter’s favouritism

Blatter's willingness to tackle racism in football was previously questioned, and he was forced to apologize in 2011 for saying incidents between players on the field should be settled by a handshake. AP

ZURICH, Switzerland — FIFA has dismissed claims that Sepp Blatter supports Yousuf al-Serkal’s bid to be elected Asian Football Confederation president next week.

FIFA says its president is neutral and “has at no time provided his backing to any of the candidates.”

Al-Serkal, the United Arab Emirates Football Association president, reportedly told regional media he “definitely” felt he had Blatter’s blessing to replace Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar.

Al-Serkal faces Sheik Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Hafez Al Medlej of Saudi Arabia and Worawi Makudi, a FIFA executive committee member from Thailand, in a May 2 poll in Kuala Lumpur.

Before meeting Blatter in Zurich last month, Al-Serkal told The Associated Press “if he chooses to announce (support), I will appreciate it. If he chooses not to announce, I will understand.”

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