Fifa’s credibility has reached a new low after the “out of touch” world governing body allowed Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa to seek re-election as a vice-president, says a top players’ union official – in turn dealing a blow to those who fought for the release of ex-Bahrain refugee Hakeem al-Araibi . The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president on Monday gained the backing of all Asean football associations – a move that sent shock and dismay across Australia’s football community. It means he is the outright favourite to retain his AFC leadership and the Fifa council seat that comes with it in the April 6 elections in Kuala Lumpur. Bahrain royal family member Al-Khalifa was criticised by activists for recusing himself from responsibility for Al-Araibi, who was held in a Bangkok prison for more than 70 days awaiting extradition to Bahrain before a global campaign helped to free him. “The decision by Fifa to endorse the eligibility of Sheikh Salman Ibrahim al-Khalifa as AFC president and, in turn, Fifa vice-president is a slap in the face for everyone who fought to save Hakeem and who believe that football can be a true force for good if it lives up to its humanitarian values,” Brendan Schwab, executive director of the World Players Association, told the South China Morning Post . “It illustrates the gaping lack of accountability that continues to exist between those who govern football and those who make it possible – especially players, fans and local clubs and communities. “Had these genuine football people been asked as to whether Sheikh Salman should be re-elected as AFC president, the suggestion would have been immediately condemned. “Fifa – rather than endorsing Sheikh Salman – should be focusing its resources into protecting the football players and athletes who have been condemned in Bahrain for peaceful protest. Fifa must also be working to ensure that refugee players can travel safely throughout the world without fear of political persecution. “Good governance cannot be achieved without genuine accountability.” Al-Araibi had in 2016 accused Al-Khalifa of involvement in the crackdown of Bahraini athletes during the Arab spring, which the AFC president has repeatedly denied. The Bahraini has also been under scrutiny since April 2017 when FBI court documents revealed that bribes were paid to help his ascendency to the AFC top post, though the president himself was not involved. Even so, he was cleared by Fifa and AFC vetting committees to seek re-election. John Didulica, head of Australia’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) hit out at Australia’s governing body, the FFA, for its failure to consult stakeholders. “The PFA is on record challenging the right of the incumbent to continue in the role of AFC president, let alone serve another term,” Didulica said. “The inability of the incumbent to protect and promote the human rights of one of the game’s players in line with his constitutional obligations demonstrates a breathtaking failure as the continent’s highest office holder and a repudiation and abrogation of the office of president. Sheikh Salman and his ruling family in Bahrain wanted to demolish my future before I travelled to Australia. In Bahrain, where many players and athletes are jailed because of their opinions. Salman Ebrahim doesn’t deserved to be in his football presidency #StandUp4HumanRights pic.twitter.com/SMmNVgWDEc — Hakeem Alaraibi (@hakeem07746464) March 19, 2019 <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> “FFA’s support – without consulting with key members of the FFA Congress – is difficult to understand given the unity of purpose the Australian football family recently displayed to help secure the freedom of Hakeem al-Araibi. “We await Fifa and/or FFA to urgently provide the basis upon which the incumbent satisfied the eligibility criteria, notwithstanding the fundamental concerns raised by the PFA over his ongoing tenure during the period of Hakeem’s detention.” If Fifa and AFC can ignore the FBI, then incumbent Al-Khalifa is a shoo-in for re-election to top posts Australia football chief Chris Nikou had defended the decision, saying Al-Khalifa was Asia’s best option against election rivals Mohammed al-Romaithi, of UAE, and Qatar’s Saoud al-Mohannadi because of advances he has made in the development of regional football. Al-Araibi, after hearing the news, tweeted: “Sheikh Salman and his ruling family in Bahrain wanted to demolish my future before I travelled to Australia. In Bahrain ... many players and athletes are jailed because of their opinions. Salman Ebrahim doesn’t deserved to be in his football presidency.”
