Join hands to combat corruption: FIFA urges federations

FIFA vice president Ali Bin Hussein Monday said that federations around the world needed to work together to get rid of corruption in football.

Ali, who is here for the launch of Pepsico-AFDP "Kick for Hope" programme said that corruption is a problem the entire football world is facing and football federations needed have a better working relation.

"Having a better working relation and need to work with other federations to combat corruption. This is a phenomenon affecting the entire footballing world and not restricted to just one region," Ali told reporters here.

"It's been talked about a lot but nothing really has been done to counter it."

Earlier this month, police in Europe said an organised crime syndicate based in Singapore had been behind the rigging of hundreds of games between 2008 and 2011.

Former AFC president Mohammed Bin Hamman was also banned for life by FIFA for corruption and bribery.

Ali is optimistic that things will now change after fresh AFC elections were held earlier this month.

Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain was elected the new president of AFC until 2015.

"Reform process is going on and I am keeping an eye on them. I am optimistic after our last elections," he said.

Talking about India's bid for the under-17 World Cup, the vice president said that he supported it.

"I am supporting India's bid for the U-17 World Cup. I have a good working relationship with AIFF president Praful Patel," he said.