Australia back-up for Asia Cup 2011

So says the AFC Executive Committee which met in Sydney today. Below is the press release. Not, much in it, but all this Asia stuff is getting me excited.







SYDNEY: The AFC Executive Committee, chaired by AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam, met today here at the Four Seasons Hotel and ratified a series of important decisions taken by the AFC Standing Committees.



Summary of decisions:



Women’s competitions



AFC Women’s Challenge Cup to replace the qualifiers for AFC Women’s Asian Cup from 2009.



Referees



The regional quota for AFC Elite Referees has been abolished.

The panel of AFC Elite Futsal Referees increased to 20.



Futsal



AFC has been provided with four slots in FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008.

The qualifying format for the AFC Futsal Championship 2008 was decided. Twelve participating teams to be divided into three groups of four with each group winner and the best runner-up qualifying for the Final Competition. Malaysia to host the Qualification Competition in mid-March 2008.

New dates for AFC Futsal Championship 2008 in Thailand from 11-18 May 2008



Ad-hoc Pro-league Committee



AFC Professional League Ad-hoc Committee confirmed that none of the Member Associations met all of the criteria laid down for the new AFC Champions League from 2009 and recommended improvements in each Member Association. Final decision and confirmation in May 2008.



AFC Challenge Cup 2008



Thailand confirmed as new hosts as Chinese Taipei cannot guarantee provision of facilities according to AFC competition standards.



AFC U-16 Championship 2008



Ten players from nine Member Associations found to be overaged and to be called up for further investigations. If found guilty, disciplinary action according to provisions.

ØHosting of future AFC U16 and AFC U19 Final Championships will be open only to those Member Associations who have qualified to the Final Championship.



AFC CUP 2008



Turkmenistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar will be invited to participate in the AFC President’s Cup.



2011 AFC Asian Cup



Australia will be back-up venue.



2015 AFC Asian Cup



Bidding process to be initialized with first call for interested Member Associations in March 2008.



Appeals



Fine on Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Bahrain Football Association for breach of equipment regulations reduced to USD 10,000.