Manama: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and Fifa vice president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has been named as one of the most influential people in the football world by ESPN.
The list was topped by Uefa football president, Michel Platini who has been in charge since 2007. Shaikh Salman came in as 15th on the list.
Shaikh Salman is seen as a possible successor to Fifa’s presidency. Sepp Blatter had spoken about his efforts in unifying the Asian Football family.
“The Asian confederation had been in waters not so very clear and not so clean and now Shaikh Salman has brought back this boat so it is only justice for this congress to re-elect him as leader.” Blatter was quoted in an Article by ESPN.
ESPN has also spoken about the importance of Shaikh Salman’s backing of Qatar’s bid for the Fifa World Cup 2022. Shaikh Salman’s role will be vital and important in the coming times with all eyes moving to Asia for the competition.
Also in the list at second place was football Agent Jorge Mendes in second place football Agent Jorge Mendes in second place followed by Richard Scudamore, the English Premier League’s Chief Executive.
Bahrain Football Association President Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa congratulated Shaikh Salman for the wonderful achievement.
“Being listed as one of the influential people in the world of sports reflects what Shaikh Salman has done for Asian football and how he has taken it to higher levels,” He said.
BFA Vice-President for Administration and Financials Ahmed Al Noaimi also congratulated Shaikh Salman.
The list saw a number of other Arab members besides Shaikh Salman. Qatari Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chief Executive of BeIn Media Group and Paris Saint-Germain, came in seventh place. Emirati Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Manchester City FC and City Football Group, sat in 27th place while former Qatar prime minister and current Head of Qatar Investment Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani came in 36th place.