Craig Foster slams FFA’s call to back Sheik Salman a ‘mockery’

Craig Foster has slammed FFA for their decision to support the re-election of Bahraini AFC President Sheik Salman.

Craig Foster, right, has slammed to the decision by FFA to support the re-election of AFC President Sheikh Salman. Picture: Supplied

Former Socceroo Craig Foster has slammed Football Federation Australia, describing their decision to support the re-election of Asian Football Confederation President Sheik Salman of Bahrain as “a mockery”.

FFA chairman Chris Nikou issued a statement confirming the head body’s backing of Sheik Salman, who is standing for another term at the AFC elections in Malaysia on April 6.

In making the decision, which has to be ratified by his board, Nikou said he acknowledged that the “recent events involving Australian refugee Hakeem al-Araibi had caused some concern regarding the role of the AFC”.

Hakeem al-Araibi was granted Australian citizenship earlier this month. Picture: AFP

“During this time, we were in regular dialogue with the AFC, FIFA and the Australian Government to ensure appropriate steps were taken to support efforts for Hakeem’s release and we did this privately by lobbying those in positions of influence and ultimately, through the work of many, the right outcome was achieved,” Nikou said.

Al-Araibi made world headlines when he was imprisoned in Thailand while on his honeymoon in January. He had been granted asylum in Australia after fleeing Bahrain after speaking out over the persecution and torture of other footballers. He was also accused of attacking a police station.

With the help of many organisations, Foster led a huge campaign for his release with Thailand eventually agreeing to allow al-Araibi to return to a heroes welcome in Melbourne in February.

Sheik Salman came under fire for not using his influence as AFC president to do more to help al-Araibi’s cause.

Speaking to The World Game website, Foster said he could not fathom the decision.

“That Australia could even contemplate voting for such a candidate makes a mockery of any discussion of fundamental values within the game,” Foster said. “The conduct of Salman during the incarceration of Hakeem was unconscionable.”

Former broadcaster Francis Leach, now national campaigner for the CFMEU, posted his disgust via his social media account on Twitter.

“That @FFA felt it had no option than to acquiesce and support Sheik Salman as @theafcdotcom President is an abrogation of any claims to moral leadership or good citizenry. Deeply depressing. Outrageously gutless. Utterly predictable.”

How rotten is football’s leadership?

That @FFA felt it had no option than to acquiesce and support Shaikh Salman as @theafcdotcom President is an abrogation of any claims to moral leadership or good citizenry.

Deeply depressing. Outrageously gutless. Utterly predictable.

— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) March 18, 2019

In explaining the decision Nikou, who attended the AFF Congress in Cambodia last week, said the overriding view is that Salman had presided over many significant initiatives within the AFC.

“It was the consensus view of all of ASEAN that Sheik Salman is the best credentialed candidate to continue to lead the development of football both in ASEAN and in Asia more broadly,” he said in a statement.

“Under the leadership of the Sheik Salman, the size of the AFC Asian Cup has expanded, the FIFA World Cup qualification process has broadened, new football development initiatives have been introduced, prizemoney and subsidies for clubs participating in the AFC Champions League have increased and significantly improved terms were secured with AFC’s new marketing rights partner.

“After discussion between the 12 member associations of the ASEAN region, we resolved in solidarity to support Sheik Salman’s candidacy.”