Japan Football Association hints at not supporting Chung Mong-Joon in FIFA election

Chung Mong-joon (pictured), the honorary president of the Korean Football Association, is not likely to receive support from Japan in the FIFA presidential election.

Japanese sports newspaper Sponichi Annex reported on Thursday that Japan Football Association Vice President Kozo Tashima hinted at not backing at the former FIFA vice president’s bid for the FIFA presidency.

According to the report, Tashima told reporters at the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday that he was proud to see a FIFA presidential candidate from East Asia. But he also said, “AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has expressed his support for UEFA President Michel Platini. It’s important to have solidarity at the continental association." His comment can be interpreted as the Japanese Football Association’s statement of support for Platini. Tashima beat Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu in the election for FIFA Executive Committee membership allotted for the AFC in April.

At the press conference in Seoul on Aug. 6, Chung said, “I have a 99 percent chance of winning the election if I can get support from Japan.” Chung also sent a letter to Japan Football Association President Daini Kuniya to ask for support in the election for FIFA presidency.

The FIFA presidential election is to be held by voting of 209 member nations on Feb. 26 next year. It is not mandatory for a member nation to follow the support decision of the continental association that the member nation belongs to.

wing@donga.com