Al Khalifa gets AFC backing

New Delhi - The Asian soccer confederation says its executive committee unanimously backs Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa's campaign to be FIFA president.

The AFC says the 24-member executive committee "passed a resolution urging all member associations to unite behind and support the AFC President Sheikh Salman."

Asia has 46 of 209 voting federations in the election to succeed Sepp Blatter on February 26.

Sheikh Salman says the support "sends a strong message that Asia is behind one candidate."

However, the Bahraini royal does not have the continent's full support. Rival candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan is supported by his home country and other Asian voters.

Jerome Champagne of France claims support from the Palestinian federation, which has a delegate on the AFC executive committee.