KUWAIT CITY — Although he left the Asian Football Confederation two years ago after 30 years' service, former secretary general Peter Velappan is still a respected and influential voice in the Asian game. On a recent visit to Kuwait, the Malaysian sat down for an interview with Al Watan TV and told of the urgent need to remove AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam. Former Japan Times columnist Jeremy Walker was allowed to sit in on the interview, and was shocked by Velappan's vitriol against the controversial Qatari.
Behind the scenes of Asian soccer, the trouble that has been brewing for a couple of years is boiling over.
It will come to a head — and a painful conclusion for one of two parties — on May 8, when the Asian Football Confederation Congress is held in Kuala Lumpur.