AFC accredits PH football chief for meet

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- The Asian Football Confederation has given Philippine Football Federation president Mariano �Nonong� Araneta the green light to attend the AFC Congress in Doha, Qatar, on January 6 and 7.

Araneta said the go-signal has been the clearest indication that the AFC has recognized his election as replacement for the ousted Jose Mari Martinez.

�My interpretation is that they already recognize my presidency because they accredited me,� Araneta told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Monday night before leaving for Doha, along with PFF general-secretary Chito Manuel and Philippine Olympic Committee chair Monico Puentevella, a member of the advisory council.

Araneta will cast the Philippines� vote in the AFC election.

AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam earlier expressed his support to the embattled Martinez and even declared that he would back the former PFF president should he elevate his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Bin Hammam is running unopposed as AFC president, but several key positions like the International Football Federation (FIFA) vice presidency, FIFA executive committee membership, AFC vice presidency and the AFC executive committee have multiple candidates.

Martinez was removed by the PFF congress last November 27 on complaints stemming from alleged fund misuse and falsification of public documents.

The move to oust him and Araneta�s election was later affirmed by the FIFA.

While in Doha, Araneta will also meet with officials of the Mongolian Football Federation to push for the holding of their second leg AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match also in the Philippines.

The first leg of the supposed home-and-away tie is set February 9 with the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City as the probable venue. But Araneta said they would also lobby to have the second leg on February 16, here because of the extremely cold weather conditions in Mongolia.

Araneta will also discuss with the AFC the possibility of Philippine television channels acquiring rights to air the Azkals� games in the Challenge Cup.

inquirer.net