Zhang Jian, the Chinese soccer federation's general secretary, is among the 7 candidates who will contest for the new seats on FIFA’s ruling council.

Other candidates from Iran, Qatar and Singapore will also compete for the two vacant FIFA seats in a vote to be held on September 27. FIFA’s Asian elections for new seats came about as part of the world soccer body’s anti-corruption reforms.

According to the Asian Football Confederation, 4 male and 3 female candidates have passed integrity checks by FIFA to stand for election. This decision was taken by its member federations meeting in Goa, India. Since there will be a seat guaranteed for women, Zhang’s rivals will be Ali Kafashian Naeni of Iran, Saoud Al Mohannadi of Qatar and Zainudin Nordin of Singapore.

“The elections are the first to send Asian delegates to FIFA's ruling committee since last March when Chinese conglomerate, the Wanda Group, signed as a World Cup sponsor through to 2030”, stated a report by AP Sports.

Source: AP Sports

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin