News for 'Asian Football Confederation'

FIFA to help improve Indian football

FIFA to help improve Indian football

Rediff.com15 Apr 2007

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that it would be done step by step and in different time frames.

AIFF faces FIFA ban threat; Olympic bid, FC Goa's AFC hopes at risk

AIFF faces FIFA ban threat; Olympic bid, FC Goa's AFC hopes at risk

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

'Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant FIFA decision-making body for consideration and decision... including the possibility of suspension.'

When India and Pakistan took a common stand!

When India and Pakistan took a common stand!

Rediff.com30 Oct 2018

Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka are the other SAFF nations to severe ties with South West Asian Football Federation on the eve of the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur.

Asia's best football coach jobless

Asia's best football coach jobless

Rediff.com19 May 2003

It is learnt that Tollygunge Agragami have made an offer to former Bagan coach Subrata Bhattacharjee.

'Four Asian Cup hosts a problem'

'Four Asian Cup hosts a problem'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2007

The president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has admitted that his organisation had made a mistake by allowing four countries to host this year's Asian Cup.

Iraq will not play Palestine WC qualifier in Jerusalem or Jordan

Iraq will not play Palestine WC qualifier in Jerusalem or Jordan

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Iraq want their World Cup qualifier against Palestine next month moved from the Jordanian capital of Amman, having also knocked back a Palestinian proposal to stage the match just outside Jerusalem.

Supreme Court agrees to intervene in ISL impasse

Supreme Court agrees to intervene in ISL impasse

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on August 22 a matter involving a row between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) over the fate of 11 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs due to the non-renewal of their contracts with the national federation and the tournament's organisers.

Asian CL match called off after Saudis refuse to take to pitch due to...

Asian CL match called off after Saudis refuse to take to pitch due to...

Rediff.com2 Oct 2023

Al-Ittihad's Asian Champions League match with Iran's Sepahan was called off on Monday after the Saudi team refused to leave their dressing-room due to a statue of an assassinated Iranian general being placed at the entrance to the pitch.

Australia, Japan top seeds for 2011 Asian Cup draw

Australia, Japan top seeds for 2011 Asian Cup draw

Rediff.com7 Dec 2007

India is seeded No 23 in the draw, which will take place on December 17 in Kuala Lumpur.

ISL Clubs Threaten To Cease Operations!

ISL Clubs Threaten To Cease Operations!

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

ISL clubs warn AIFF of possibility of their shutting down entirely if current impasse not resolved

Only 6 Indian clubs meet AFC norms

Only 6 Indian clubs meet AFC norms

Rediff.com17 Oct 2006

The AIFF admitted that professionalism in Indian football is still a distant dream, as only six clubs satisfy the guidelines proposed by the Asian Football Confederation.

Saudi Arabia to host 2034 FIFA World Cup after Australia drops out

Saudi Arabia to host 2034 FIFA World Cup after Australia drops out

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

Saudi Arabia announced it would bid only minutes after soccer's global governing body called for Asia and Oceania bids on October 4.

Asian Games: Chhetri and Co pooled with China, B'desh

Asian Games: Chhetri and Co pooled with China, B'desh

Rediff.com27 Jul 2023

The Indian men's team currently occupies the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation, while the women's side is ranked 11th.

Yamashita Returns to Qatar for Historic Role in Men's Asian Cup

Yamashita Returns to Qatar for Historic Role in Men's Asian Cup

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

The 24-team Asian Cup will unfold on the same grounds as the men's World Cup where Yamashita served as the fourth official for six group stage games. Her return to Qatar signals a significant progression in the inclusion of female referees in high-profile men's soccer tournaments.

Indian football fans win the numbers game

Indian football fans win the numbers game

Rediff.com18 Jun 2005

According to the Asian Football Confederation statistics, Indian fans turned out in larger numbers than those in other countries.

Saudi Arabian is Asia's footballer of the year

Saudi Arabian is Asia's footballer of the year

Rediff.com1 Dec 2005

Hamad Al Montashari won the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year award after prominent players from Japan, South Korea and Iran were deemed ineligible.

Sunil Chhetri voted 2019 Asian Cup's favourite player by fans

Sunil Chhetri voted 2019 Asian Cup's favourite player by fans

Rediff.com1 Aug 2020

Sunil Chhetri scored twice during the group stage of the Asian Cup in the beginning of last year.

Chennai City FC to play AFC Cup group matches in Maldives

Chennai City FC to play AFC Cup group matches in Maldives

Rediff.com21 Jul 2020

Chennai City FC, the 2018-19 I-League champions, will play their remaining AFC Cup group stage matches in Maldives with the island nation being given the hosting rights following the continental body's decision to organise the games in a single venue. The Asian Football Confederation's decision, prompted by the rising COVID-19 case count in many countries, was announced by Maldives Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof.

AFC backs FIFA's biennial World Cup feasibility study

AFC backs FIFA's biennial World Cup feasibility study

Rediff.com14 Sep 2021

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it welcomed consultations world governing body FIFA's plan to conduct a feasibility study into staging the World Cup every two years instead of every four.

Mumbai City ready for Asian CL but focus on Saudi clubs

Mumbai City ready for Asian CL but focus on Saudi clubs

Rediff.com18 Sep 2023

Al-Nassr are one of 40 clubs from 20 leagues across the confederation drawn in 10 groups to face one another from Monday, with only the winners guaranteed to advance to the knockout rounds in the quest for the top prize of US$4 million.

COVID outbreak puts India out of women's Asian Cup

COVID outbreak puts India out of women's Asian Cup

Rediff.com23 Jan 2022

The Women's Asian Cup was thrown into turmoil when hosts India were kicked out of the tournament after a COVID-19 outbreak meant they were unable to field a team for their Group A match against Taiwan on Sunday.

Chhetri headlines India's best Asian Games squad

Chhetri headlines India's best Asian Games squad

Rediff.com28 Jul 2023

With Chhetri and Stimac at helm, AIFF hoping for strong show in Asian Games

India's Praful Patel is AFC's vice president

India's Praful Patel is AFC's vice president

Rediff.com30 Apr 2015

AIFF president Praful Patel was elected uncontested as Asian Football Confederation's Vice President of the SAFF Region at the AFC Congress held in Bahrain.

Sunil Chhetri's advice to women footballers

Sunil Chhetri's advice to women footballers

Rediff.com21 Jul 2020

Sunil Chhetri said the players should enjoy the tournament once they have prepared well for it.

South Korea to replace China as hosts of Asia Cup 2023

South Korea to replace China as hosts of Asia Cup 2023

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

South Korea will launch a bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup following China's decision to relinquish its rights to the tournament

China's Zhang assumes office as AFC chief

China's Zhang assumes office as AFC chief

Rediff.com13 Jun 2011

Asian soccer federations should join hands to improve the sport in the region, Zhang Jilong said after assuming office as the acting president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Monday.

Sheikh Salman wins AFC presidential election

Sheikh Salman wins AFC presidential election

Rediff.com2 May 2013

Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa will run Asian football for the next two years after the Bahraini won a three-way election for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Thursday.

Asia urges green light for headscarves

Asia urges green light for headscarves

Rediff.com31 Jan 2012

Asian soccer's acting president has urged the sport's rule-makers to change the laws to permit women to wear a headscarf in official matches.

Bangladesh to host inaugural SAFF Club C'shp

Bangladesh to host inaugural SAFF Club C'shp

Rediff.com19 Apr 2011

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has decided to start a new tournament, SAFF Club Championships, with the inaugural edition to be held in Bangladesh from September 1-15.

'You've held the flag high, Sunil Chhetri!'

'You've held the flag high, Sunil Chhetri!'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

The Asian Football Confederation tweeted, "94 International Goals. Carried the hopes of a nation! Thank You Asian Football Icon, Sunil Chhetri."

AFC Awards night, PHOTOS: Khalil named Asian player of the year

AFC Awards night, PHOTOS: Khalil named Asian player of the year

Rediff.com29 Nov 2015

Emirati Ahmed Khalil got a modicum of revenge on Guangzhou Evergrande captain Zheng Zhi when he pipped the Chinese to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year award on Sunday.

India jump two places to 104 in FIFA ranking

India jump two places to 104 in FIFA ranking

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

India's ranking among Asian Football Confederation members, however, still remained static at 19th place

Why Indian football is in a big crisis

Why Indian football is in a big crisis

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

Indian football being hit with a FIFA ban looked a real possibility on Tuesday after the commercial partners of the sport's governing body in the country approached the Supreme Court over contentious clauses in the draft constitution.

Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger to help develop Indian football

Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger to help develop Indian football

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Former Arsenal manager and world governing body FIFA's current chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger will play a role in Indian football's grassroots programmes and talent development.

Malaysia set to cancel Man United tour match

Malaysia set to cancel Man United tour match

Rediff.com8 May 2007

Manchester United will be asked to cancel their July tour match in Malaysia after organisers bowed to mounting pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the country's top soccer official said.

Shinji Ono is AFC player of 2002

Shinji Ono is AFC player of 2002

Rediff.com28 May 2003

Ono had won the AFC Young Player of the Year award in 1998.

FIFA scandal: Blatter, Platini facing possible six-year ban from football

FIFA scandal: Blatter, Platini facing possible six-year ban from football

Rediff.com16 Nov 2015

FIFA president Sepp Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini could face a six-year ban from football-related activities due to corruption proceedings against them.

United Nations urge FIFA to allow women to wear hijab

United Nations urge FIFA to allow women to wear hijab

Rediff.com3 Mar 2012

The United Nations has asked the world governing body FIFA to overturn its ban on allowing women footballers to wear a hijab, the Islamic headscarf, when its law-making body meets on Saturday.

European clubs give boost to football in Asia

European clubs give boost to football in Asia

Rediff.com2 May 2015

Visits by major English and European clubs to Asia are helping to boost the game in the region.

World Cup: 3 Women Refs To Debut In Qatar

World Cup: 3 Women Refs To Debut In Qatar

Rediff.com20 Nov 2022

'So being here means we deserve to be here, it's not a change or because we are women.'