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Bin Hammam set to confirm Blatter challenge on Friday

Mohamed Bin Hammam is expected to confirm his candidacy for the FIFA presidential elections later this week after announcing that he will hold a press conference in Malaysia on Friday.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president announced via his Twitter account that he would confirm his position on the matter, after months of speculation, at the press conference at AFC House.

The Qatari, who has dropped heavy hints since his country secured the right to stage the 2022 World Cup in December, is set to challenge incumbent Sepp Blatter.

"I will clarify my position regarding the FIFA presidency elections, which take place in June 2011," Bin Hammam announced. "I will hold a press conference on Friday, 18 March, at 13:00 at AFC House."

Bin Hammam has outlined his policy manifesto by previously saying: "I would call for more transparency in FIFA, to widen the decision-making base and bodies within FIFA. I'd engage stakeholders more and give them a real platform to express their wishes. We should respect the clubs and it is for the clubs also to respect the member associations."