By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 10 – He is young, he is dedicated and he insists he will not be influenced by politics or petty feuds.
After months of bribery and corruption claims that have rocked the inner sanctum of football’s world governing body, there’s a new kid on the block eager to bring a sense of transparency to the corridors of power.
Last week, in arguably the biggest ever power shift within FIFA’s Executive Committee, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein (pictured) ousted long-standing incumbent Chung Mong-joon of South Korea as Asia’s FIFA vice-president – one of the most influential positions in world football.
Chung was the man responsible for persuading FIFA President Sepp Blatter to give South Korea joint hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup.
He was even, until last week, considered a possible opponent for Blatter at this year’s FIFA presidential elections.
Now he is history, replaced by the third of King Hussein’s children to gain high office in the international sports arena.
At 35, Prince Ali is by far the youngest member of the FIFA hierarchy but is a breath of fresh air, determined to try and follow in his late father’s peace-making footsteps, this time using football as a tool for change and unity.
“Titles and backgrounds meant nothing as far as my election was concerned,” insists the engaging Prince.
“I want to be accountable for the promises I make – I will always work with principles.”
Head of the Jordanian FA for the last 10 years, the Prince already has considerable experience for one so young but beating Chung by 25 votes to 20 at the Asian Football Confederation Congress was considered an even greater upset than Qatar’s 2022 World Cup victory late last year.
Few insiders thought it possible. Chung, after all, was backed by AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam and the partnership was deemed impregnable.
So how did it happen?
Sitting in his hotel suite as he took stock of a remarkable coup, the Prince admits he thought the vote could have gone either way.
“To be honest with you I wasn’t so sure.
“In these kinds of elections things change at the last minute.
“People can make promises and then obviously change their mind.
“I repeat, I didn’t win this election because of my title, I won it because the national associations believed in me and that it was time for a change.
“I really felt it was time to energise and utilise the position after Dr Chung’s 16 years.
“I have a good chance of making an impact.
“I listened to the national associations and they know I will deliver on my promises.”
One of his goals is to create a vice-president’s development fund for Asia focusing on youth football and, especially, the women’s game.
“We want to do it in a clear and transparent way,” he says tellingly.
Much has been made of the proposal to switch the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter.
Prince Ali takes a typically diplomatic approach to growing criticism of FIFA for changing the goalposts AFTER last month’s vote.
“I know the issue was raised after the decision to host it in June and July was taken, but we need to ensure it is a success.
“We would have to talk to our friends in Europe and the other continents and obviously there is a winter break in some European countries.
“It would be a lot less expensive if you didn’t have to use air-conditioning in the stadiums and a lot more comfortable in the winter so basically we want the best conditions for our players and fans.”
“It is good to have a celebration in the Middle East, for far too long, we have not had anything to celebrate about.
“Hopefully it will embrace the region and have the kind of effect on the population that the World Cups had in South Africa.”
He makes it clear, however, that he is not 100 per cent allied to the concept of always taking the World Cup to new destinations.
“I don’t necessarily think that it’s the end of the day for anyone who lost out in the World Cup bids last month.
“We really have to work in the future on getting the World Cup to the nations that best deserve it.”
The England-educated Prince Ali makes no secret of his passion for English football.
He calls England his “second home” and says he was surprised they gained only two votes at the 2018 World Cup vote.
He would like nothing more than to invite Premier League clubs – and others from leading European leagues – to tour Asia and intends speaking to UEFA boss Michel Platini about extending bilateral co-operation between the two confederations.
“The reality is that even if in some [Asian] countries the level of football is not very good, they all follow the Premier League.
“It would be a great encouragement to be able to see their heroes.”
Returning to the subject of the World Cup in Qatar, Prince Ali acknowledges the tiny Middle East state will have to seriously relax some of its strict laws to cope with hundreds of thousands of western visitors.
Several hotels in Doha are “dry” with scanning machines on entry to make sure no alcohol is being brought in.
“Football needs to be accessible to each and every person,” says Prince Ali who intends getting the message across.
“Anybody who hosts the World Cup must take that into account.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734832305labto1734832305ofdlr1734832305owedi1734832305sni@w1734832305ahsra1734832305w.wer1734832305dna1734832305
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