PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. received a fresh mandate from the Asian Football community.
On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Mariano Araneta, Jr. was re-elected to the FIFA Council for the term 2023-2027 during the 33rd AFC Congress in Manama, Bahrain. Araneta garnered a total of 34 votes, more than the simple majority of 23 votes required during the elections.
In addition, the AFC Executive Committee also appointed the PFF President as Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
With these major roles in the sport, Araneta shares, “I look forward to continuing our work in the FIFA Council to advance initiatives meant to develop, grow and promote The Beautiful Game.โ
The FIFA Council
During Araneta’s previous four-year term in the FIFA council, he supported the increase of slots for Asian countries in the FIFA World Cup from 4.5 slots to 8.5 slots beginning in 2026.
On top of this, he also supported FIFA’s cause to set aside USD200 million for talent identification and development to help member associations develop and nurture competitive national teams.
โI would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the Asian Football Confederation family for their trust and confidence in electing me to the FIFA Council for the term 2023-2027,โ Araneta said.
โBeing in the FIFA Council is a position I do not take lightly and I am well aware of the responsibility given to me.”
Mariano Araneta, Jr. was among the seven candidates for one of the five representative spots in the FIFA Council. Additionally, as FIFA Council Member, Araneta also has a seat in the AFC Executive Committee.
The Philippine delegation to the AFC Congress includes PFF vice president Joselito Pinol, PFF board member Jay Adriatico and PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes, who acted as the voting delegate from the Philippines.
AFC Asian Cup 2023
In addition to his renewed FIFA Council role, the AFC Executive Committee also elected PFF president Mariano Araneta as the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
The Organising Committee for AFC Asian Cup advises and assists the AFC Executive Committee on matters relating to the AFC Asian CupTM and is responsible for organizing the flagship national team competition of Asia.
Previously, Araneta held the role of AFC Finance Committee chairperson on two successive terms, from 2015-2019 and 2019-2023.
With his new role, he expressed, โI accept the appointment of the AFC Executive Committee to be the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.”
“I am looking forward to work with Asian footballโs stakeholders to ensure that the staging of the Asian Cup will be a success.”
โThe new AFC Executive Committee has today underlined its intention to further accelerate our positive football journey through important decisions,โ AFC president Shaikh Salman Ebrahim Al Khalifa also said.
โWe want to ensure that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023TM is organized to the highest possible standards and remembered as the best ever, and the activation of the Organising Committee for AFC Asian Cup is testimony to our sincere efforts and belief.โ
Images from The Philippine Football Federation.
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