What The FFA: Australia Backs Sheikh Salman

‘A real shock to everyone’

Just four days after Hakeem Al-Araibi became an Australian citizen, the country’s football federation announced its support for the man many hold responsible for his ordeal. Football Federation Australia (FFA) has formally endorsed Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa’s candidacy for re-election as president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The decision has been met with disbelief and anger by those who campaigned for Al-Araibi’s release from a Thai prison, not least the player himself, who said he was “shocked” the FFA would support someone “who oversaw my detention and torture.”

Craig Foster, the former Australian captain who led the #SaveHakeem campaign, called the FFA’s move “inexplicable.” He said it “makes a mockery of any discussion of fundamental values within the game, of a commitment to human rights within football, the protection of players and of advocating for the highest of standards of sports governance.” Foster dismissed FFA claims of working “behind the scenes” to help Al-Araibi, suggesting any calls they made were “completely ineffectual.” The sense of betrayal is palpable. “That our game can legitimise this guy is extraordinary,” Foster said. “It’s difficult to believe in (our) game or our sport governance if we are capable of casting a vote for this person.”

All about the Benjamins

The FFA’s rationale appears to be purely financial. Chairman Chris Nikou, who is seeking a seat on the AFC Executive Committee, detailed the benefits of Salman’s leadership. He pointed to an expanded Asian Cup, a broadened World Cup qualification process, increased prize money for AFC Champions League clubs and “significantly improved terms” with a new marketing partner. As Puff Daddy & the Family once noted, “it’s all about the Benjamins.”

Nikou acknowledged “some concern regarding the role of the AFC” in the Al-Araibi case, but his statement focused on the FFA’s own part in securing the player’s release. It conveniently ignored the fact that the “some concern” was directed specifically at Salman. Nikou was frank about Australia’s precarious position within the AFC, admitting that, “pardon the expression, we are pushing shit uphill.” He described Australia as not being “that well liked to the west,” implying the endorsement is a strategic move to curry favour. Amnesty International’s Tim O’Connor accused the FFA of “prioritising financial growth over standing up for what’s right.”

Questions of eligibility

Before the FFA’s endorsement, campaigners were already questioning how Salman was deemed eligible to stand at all. Foster wrote to Fifa Secretary-General Fatma Samoura in March, highlighting three areas of concern. The first was Salman’s alleged involvement in Bahrain’s 2011 crackdown on athletes when he was president of the Bahrain Football Association. The third was his failure as AFC president to act decisively to protect Al-Araibi, waiting until 26th January to recuse himself from the matter, three days after Bahrain submitted formal extradition papers.

The second area Foster raised relates to a 2017 US Justice Department indictment in the case of USA v Lai. The document details a ‘Scheme to gain control of the AFC and influence Fifa’ which ultimately saw ‘Candidate #1’ elected AFC president. While not named, Sheikh Salman is identifiable as this candidate. The indictment does not accuse him of a role in the scheme, but he was its main beneficiary.

This case was seen as the first major test of Fifa’s own Human Rights Policy, adopted in May 2017. The policy commits Fifa and its confederations to respect and promote human rights. Critics argue the AFC’s inaction represents a clear breach of this commitment. Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) also raised concerns, asking Fifa’s Governance and Review Committee for its reasons for deeming the presidential candidates eligible. The PFA, a major stakeholder in the FFA Congress, stated it had not received a response and was not consulted by the FFA Board on the endorsement.

The presidential race for the 6th April election has become a farce anyway. One of Salman’s two opponents, Mohamed Khalfan Al-Romaithi of the UAE, withdrew from the race last Thursday. During his campaign, Al-Romaithi had criticised the AFC’s lack of independence and pledged $320m in sponsorship, including a $2m boost for each of the 47 member associations. After a ‘visit’ from Salman, Al-Romaithi was suddenly gushing with praise for his rival’s programme. The other candidate, Qatar’s Saud Aziz Al-Mohannadi, is considered a “non-factor.” The enmity between Qatar and the UAE is currently so fierce that Al-Mohannadi was barred from attending the recent Asian Cup finals in the UAE, despite being chair of the tournament’s organising committee.

Sheikh Salman’s re-election was a certainty even without Australia’s backing.

This makes the FFA’s decision to trade its principles for political capital seem not just cynical, but entirely unnecessary.