Asian soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam narrowly fought off a vicious challenge to his seat on the FIFA executive board on Friday after one of the most vitriolic political battles the region's soccer world has known.
The Qatari, who has held the seat unopposed since 1996, beat off the challenge of Bahrain's Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa by 23 votes to 21. Bin Hammam, likened to the head of a crime organization as part of the personal attacks that characterized the campaign against him, will now represent West Asia on the FIFA committee for another four-year term.
In a speech in front of AFC members, Bin Hammam emphasized the importance of healing the rift between the two sides of the AFC. "I hope the future brings us trust and confidence and I hope you will continue to trust me," he said. "Both camps must come together and must heal for the future, and the future is Asia."