Football: Asia chief hopeful vows transparency

“I want to see an AFC where football is the first and only topic on our agenda," says al Serkal.

SINGAPORE: Would-be Asian football president Yousuf al Serkal promised to reveal all his allowances and introduce a ‘whistle-blower’ programme to fight corruption as he released his election manifesto yesterday. The UAE football association chief, who is standing in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) leadership election next month, said greater openness and transparency was vital for the regional body. “We are at a time when our stakeholders believe that leaders in the game are only in it for themselves – this must change,” said al Serkal. “I want to see an AFC where football is the first and only topic on our agenda and that is why my campaign slogan is ‘Football at Heart’.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2013.