Khek Ravy, who was voted out of the presidency of the Cambodian Football Federation last month, said Monday that he would not stand for re-election despite demands by Federation Internationale de Football Association that he be reinstated by Friday.
In a closed-door vote on April 24, National Military Police Commander Sao Sokha was elected CFF president, ousting Khek Ravy.
However, in a letter to Khek Ravy dated April 28, FIFA President Joseph Blatter said the CFF election was illegitimate due to “political influence.”
“I will not be a candidate for the upcoming election, if there is one,” Khek Ravy said by telephone.
“If one wants to push forward football, it should not be someone who does not get along with the government,” he said.
Khek Ravy denied having had any part in Blatter’s decision to threaten the CFF’s funding.
“I didn’t say anything to FIFA,” he said, adding that he has been in “permanent contact” with Sao Sokha in order to try and resolve the dispute.
“I want the situation to be resolved,” he said. “So does Sao Sokha.”
Sao Sokha said Monday he was too busy to speak to a reporter, and two other CFF officials were unavailable for comment.
Blatter wrote that if Khek Ravy were not reinstated by Friday, the CFF would face suspension from the world football body, which could mean the loss of $250,000 in annual FIFA funds and being barred from international competitions.
FIFA did not respond to e-mailed requests for comment on Monday, though the National Olympic Committee has written to FIFA defending the election that replaced Khek Ravy, who held the position for eight years.
(Additional reporting by Kay Kimsong)
