It's been a ridiculously crazy few weeks in the world of FIFA politics and the saga looks set to drag on for some time yet.

While the man who oversaw the rise and rise of Asian Football over the last decade, Mohamed Bin Hammam, was being suspended by the FIFA Ethics Committee, accused of bribing Caribbean officials, the newest members of the FIFA Executive Committee were taking their seats.

Among them was a 35-year-old Jordanian prince - Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein - who became a FIFA Vice President. Perhaps it was a case of out with the old and in with the new.

As control of Asian football has slowly worked its way west, the noises have been getting louder for the confederation to split along east-west lines.

When Prince Ali was elected to the FIFA ExCo at the AFC Congress in Doha in January, defeating long time member Chung Mong-joon of South Korea, it was seen as another victory for the west and a blow for the east.

Over the past week though, Prince Ali has been doing his best to allay fears of a split, calling for a more united confederation.

''I think there's a bit of a disconnect with each other in Asia. Everyone is a bit territorial. Everyone seems to be divided in Asia-my territory, your territory and so on," he told the media.

''The more we interact, the more we can benefit from each other.

''I have four years and in the four years, I will do all that I can to help Asian football. The thing is, I'm only 35 years old and my goal is really to serve Asia more than anything else."

He also spoke of his deep admiration for outgoing FIFA ExCo member Junji Ogura of Japan and said he wanted the support of Japan and would represent their interests on the FIFA ExCo.

The trouble is, and forgive by cynicism, talk is cheap.

We've heard this kind of rhetoric many times before from those in positions of power and quite often it's come to naught. These guys are clever politicians and they know what needs to be said and when.

Prince Ali has talked the talk and now he needs to walk the walk.

I certainly hope he is a man of his word, as there is no doubt that there is a disconnect across Asia and a closer working relationship between all 46 member associations is needed if Asian football is to ever realise its infinite potential.

Like many these days, Prince Ali has created a website (www.weareasia.com) to extol the virtues of his Vice Presidency. Now even more so, everything he says and does is on record.

The world, and more specifically, Asia are watching Prince Ali. Time to walk the walk.