UAE's Al-Romaithi withdraws from AFC presidency race

Emirati Mohammed Khalfan Al-Romaithi withdrew his candidacy for the Asian Football Confederation presidency on Thursday, paving the way for the reelection of Bahrain's Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa.

The pair said in a statement that they would work together for the "independence and transparency of the AFC".

Romaithi announced he would run on March 7, promising change to Asian football's governing body, with the former police chief of Abu Dhabi quoted as saying at the time: "Asia deserves better."

His withdrawal leaves Sheikh Salman facing Qatar's Saud al-Mohannadi in the election, which is due to be held on April 6.