Asian President launches personal website
October 2 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the President of the Asian Football Confederation, has launched his own personal website.
Asia
Syria turn to Sheffield United to help them qualify for World Cup
September 3 – Syria, currently 92nd in the FIFA world rankings, have turned to Sheffield United, who are 17th in the Npower Championship, to help them develop the sport there and to qualify for the World Cup.
Bin Hammam wants to stay as head of Asia and backs Blatter
August 30 – Mohamad Bin Hammam has confirmed he wants to stay on as president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after next year and will not challenge Sepp Blatter for the leadership of FIFA.
Indonesian naturalisation plan backed
August 13 – A controversial plan by the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) to recruit players from overseas to play for the national team has been backed by the Government.
North Korea allegations of abuse to be investigated by FIFA
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
August 11 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has demanded answers from North Korea after reports that its World Cup squad was publicly humiliated and coach Kim Jong-Hun sentenced to hard labour.
Iraq facing international suspension again after rival factions hold meetings
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July 24 – Iraq is risking suspension from international football for the second time in three years after rival groups trying to wrestle control of the country’s Football Association held elections in separate cities today.
Singapore sets goal of being among top 10 Asian nations
April 15 – Singapore have unveiled a new six-year strategic plan which has set the target of the national team being ranked among the top 10 nations in Asia by 2015.
New head of Chinese FA promises Blatter he will clean-up sport
April 11 – Chinese football will be cleaned-up within a year, the new head of the sport there has promised FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
AFC set up panel to help football in India
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April 2 – A new panel has been set-up by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to help develop the sport in India, it has been announced.
Indonesian conference stops short of calling for Halid to resign
April 1 – Nurdin Halid (pictured), the under-fire chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), appears to have survived the National Football Congress, a conference called by the Government to discuss how to improve the standard of the sport in the country.
Conference on state of Indonesian football opened
March 30 – Indonesia’s President today opened a national football conference reviewing the poor results of the national team and the country’s top football official.
Makudi appeals to Thai red-shirts to leave football alone
March 20 – Worawi Makudi (pictured), the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and a member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee, has appealed to people protesting against the Government not to disrupt the country’s Premier League from taking place.
Iraq reinstated by FIFA
March 19 – FIFA today lifted its suspension on the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) following a compromise agreement over alleged Government interference.
Chung makes a half-million donation to Haiti
By David Owen
February 16 – Dr Chung Mong-Joon (pictured), a South Korean member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee and honorary President of his country’s football association, has made a $500,000 (£318,000) donation to Haiti.
Asian reconciliation could see Bin Hammam challenge Blatter
By David Owen
January 25 – Two Asian football heavyweights are said to have drawn a line under their differences, in a move that could have profound consequences for the leadership of the world’s biggest sport.