体坛英语新闻：Sheikh Salman faces challenge in Asian Football Confederation presidential election

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa will face challenges in his reelection bid during the upcoming election in April, according to the nomination list released by AFC on Saturday.

AFC has received nominations of AFC Vice President Saoud A Aziz M A Al-Mohannadi of Qatar and AFC Executive Committee member Mohamed Khalfan Matar Saeed Alromaithi from the United Arab Emirates to contest in the election for the top post for the term of 2019-2023.

AFC President will be a Vice-President ex-officio of FIFA, the world football governing body.

Sheikh Salman, from Bahrian, was first elected AFC president in 2013 for the remaining term of former president Mohammed bin Hammam, who was banned for life by FIFA for corruption.

Sheikh Salman was re-elected unopposed in 2015. During the recent AFC Congress, Sheikh Salman confirmed he will seek reelection, claiming that he had received support letters from some 40 member associations.

AFC will reelect its executive committee during the AFC Congress to be held in Kuala Lumpur next April, which will see election for posts including president, vice presidents and FIFA Council members.

Chinese Football Association acting president Du Zhaocai was nominated for AFC vice president as well as a position in the FIFA Council.