AFC chief to gain automatic FIFA seat

Electoral reforms within the Asian Football Confederation could see the next elected president secure an automatic seat on FIFA’s executive committee.

GettyImagesShaikh Salman has been president of the AFC since May 2013.

FIFA ExCo seats are presently allotted via a voting system, although legislation could allow changes to be made in time for the 2015 election.

When asked about the likelihood of change happening, current AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa claimed it is a possibility, telling InsideWorldFootball: "This is something that we are looking into."

Shaikh Salman beat Yousuf Al Serkal and Worawi Makudi for the AFC presidency, and Qatar's Hassan Al-Thawadi for a place on FIFA's ExCo during the last election and would be a strong contender to keep his seat.

And he has already outlined his desire to focus on Asian football and the need to bring stability to the region, saying: "As you are aware, Asia had its ups and downs lately. Asia went through a lot. That is why my focus is purely on Asia now."

Shaikh Salman also said that his relationship with Al-Thawadi and his other rivals were unaffected by electoral issues.

"My relations with everybody are OK," he said, adding that he doesn’t let professional problems "interfere in my line of work or even in the friendship that we had.

"It is the right of anybody to choose if they want to run."

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Valencia keen on Caner Erkin

Spanish giants Valencia are considering a move for Fenerbahce full-back Caner Erkin, reports Super Deporte.

Los Che hope to sign a new left-sided defender to provide competition for Juan Bernat, since neither Andres Guardado nor Aly Cissokho, who will be returning in the summer, are held in high regard by coach Juan Antonio Pizzi.

According to Super Deporte, Valencia plan to lure Fenerbahce’s Caner Erikin to Mestalla in the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old will be out of contract in June and he is free to negotiate a Bosman deal with interested clubs.

And while Valencia aim to sign him on a free transfer, los Che could face stiff competition from Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea, who are also keen.

Despite starting his career as a midfielder, Erkin has mostly been used as a full-back of late, and he has made a total of 107 league appearances for Fenerbahce since joining from CSKA Moscow.