Panaji: Saudi Arabia’s bitter political rivalry with Iran and Qatar has taken a dramatic turn in Asian football with the continent’s giants keen to have a new bloc that will include countries from South Asia, including India and Pakistan.

Several countries from South and West Asia joined hands to form the South West Asian Football Federation ( SWAFF ) during a preliminary meeting in Jeddah on Friday but most countries, including India, are awaiting a word from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) before formally stamping its approval.

“There is a proposal and we will put this forward at the next executive committee meeting. There are lot of legalities that need to be looked into. Once we have clarity, we will decide,” All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das told TOI on Saturday.

India are currently members of the South Asian Football Federation ( SAFF ) which includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. All countries, except Nepal and Bhutan, attended the meeting in the Saudi Arabian capital where initial plans were drawn. From West Asia, besides Saudi Arabia , the federation enjoys the backing of UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen and Oman.

The absence of Jordan and Palestine makes the polarisation in the Middle East clear and brings into sharp focus the current pow-wow between heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran, now part of Central Asian Football Association.

“As of now, I cannot say whether we are leaving SAFF or not. Even if you see West Asia, there are several (sub) federations like the Arab federation (Union of Arab Football Association). The idea (of this federation) is for football cooperation and development,” said Das.

There is talk within Asian football circles that the new bloc led by Adel Ezzat, president of the Saudi football federation, aspires for greater influence. A club competition that could rival AFC Champions League and offers a purse of $5 million has already been mooted.

“Let’s see what happens. Fifa does not recognise any of the regional federations but grants are now being given to regional bodies. All those legalities will have to be examined before we take a final call,” said Das.

The AIFF, however, is clear that they wouldn’t join the new body and upset AFC.

Interestingly, Bahrain, home to AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa , a member of Bahrain’s ruling family, is an important member of the SWAFF.

The next meeting of SWAFF has been scheduled for May 25 and AIFF president Praful Patel is among those handed a special invitation.