13 Facts About Zhang Jilong

Zhang Jilong is a Chinese football administrator who is the current senior vice president of the Asian Football Confederation.

Zhang Jilong previously served as Vice President of AFC from 2002 to 2011 and as Senior Vice President from 11 January 2007 to 1 August 2011.

Zhang Jilong had been the Acting President of the Asian Football Confederation from 14 June 2011 until 1 May 2013 after the resignation of Mohammed Bin Hammam.

Zhang Jilong was a member of the FIFA Executive Committee.

Zhang Jilong joined the Chinese Football Association in 1978 when it was established.

In 1989, Zhang Jilong joined the AFC as a member of the AFC Rules Committee.

Zhang Jilong became the AFC Finance Committee chairman in April 2000.

Zhang Jilong was elected as Senior-Vice President in January 2007 by the AFC members.

Zhang Jilong ran for a seat on the FIFA executive committee in January 2011, but was defeated in a vote at the AFC's congress in Doha.

Zhang Jilong was elected as a member of the FIFA Executive Committee.

In September 2012, due to his age, Zhang Jilong retired from his role as foreign affairs director at the State Sports General Administration, but continued to preside over the AFC in his capacity as Acting Chairman.

In February 2013, Zhang Jilong announced that he would withdraw from the elections of the next AFC President and FIFA Executive Committee.

Zhang Jilong asserted that "FIFA should not interfere with the internal affairs of the Asia Football association" and asked Blatter to take back the new rule.