Timing warning for Asian awards

KUALA LUMPUR - Agence France-Presse

Mohammad Ali Karimi is a nominee of AFC Player Of The Year award. AFP Photo

Iranian veteran Ali Karimi yesterday called for “better timing” for Asia’s annual football awards to encourage the continent’s top stars to attend and be eligible to win.

Karimi, one of three players shortlisted for Asian player of the year, said big names would lift the profile of the ceremony.

“I hope there would be a better arrangement in the future and the AFC may consider better timing to give the opportunity to all Asian players around the world and in Asia to get the chance and come here,” Karimi said.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has long faced calls to scrap its controversial no-show, no-prize policy.

But China’s Zheng Zhi, who is also shortlisted, said: “The presence of nominees shows respect to the award,” adding that those who played in Europe and elsewhere could use “their private jet or fly back to Asia.”