Soccer-2011 Asian Cup hopefuls must get government support - AFC

Reuters - Countries bidding to host the 2011 Asian Cup must guarantee government support or face swift elimination, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam said.

Qatar, Iran and India are seeking the right to stage the 2011 event, with the winner to be announced on July 28, the day before the 2007 Asian Cup final in Jakarta.

"We have three candidates and definitely we have certain criteria and standards that must be met," Hammam told Reuters. "And this is a must. If any country cannot meet these requirements we would have no hesitation in eliminating them.

"They need to guarantee government support of the event as well as ensure proper infrastructure and security. The country's national association must also show an eagerness to organise the tournament efficiently."

The president's call came just two months before the start of the Asian Cup, which is being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam and has been beset by problems over the past three years.

At various stages, the status of Malaysia and Thailand as hosts have been called into question because of a perceived lack of interest from their respective governments.

It has also been a logistical nightmare for the AFC, which has had to deal with four different jurisdictions and organising bodies.

Hammam is determined to avoid another headache in 2011, admitting that the problems leading up to the 2007 Asian Cup had tarnished the tournament's image.

"There will only be one country from now on," he said. "I cannot compromise the image of this competition any more. The winning country has to meet very high standards."