FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman has denied allegations that he was complicit in the torture of footballers.
The 49-year-old has been accused by Bahraini human rights groups of helping to identify players and other athletes involved in 2011 democracy protests.
The President of the Asian Football Confederation was the head of the Bahrain FA during the protests, when several people were killed, while others were detained and tortured.
"Such accusations are not just damaging, it's really hurting. Some people have agenda on their table.It's not just damaging me, it's damaging the people and the country. These are false, nasty lies that have been repeated again and again in the past and the present," he said.
The head of Asian football is one of eight declared candidates for next February's FIFA elections alongside, UEFA president Michel Platini, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, Jordan FA chief Prince Ali, Liberian FA president Musa Bility, ex-FIFA executive Jerome Champagne and former Trinidad and Tobago international footballer David Nakhid.
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