XtraTime Web Desk: The fancied South West Asian Football Federation (SWAFF) was dissolved by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in its governing body meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. The SWAFF which started with much fanfare few months back will terminate its functioning with immediate effect.
The reason for such a move is influenced by the relations between AFC President Sheikh Salman and Saudi Arabia Football Federation President Adel Ezzat. The relationship took a bitter turn after the later expressed his wish to contest for the post of President in the upcoming AFC Elections.
Sheikh Salman, who has been the President since 2013 warned against a return to “turmoil and instability” on Wednesday as he launched his bid to retain his position at the helm of the continent’s governing body.
Ezzat’s hopes of building a power base suffered a blow on Tuesday when members of the South Asian Football Federation withdrew from the Saudi-created South West Asian Football Federation.
Sheikh Salman also pledged his support to the re-election campaign of Gianni Infantino, who defeated the Bahraini in the FIFA presidential election in 2015.
“We will be full supporting you to do your work at FIFA,” he told Infantino.
“There is still a lot of work to do and you are the man to complete that task. You can count on us and you can count of Asia, Mr President.”
The development also meant good news for the countries under SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) as they have been assured by AFC of getting recognition.