By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, regarded by many as the most credible rival to Sepp Blatter for the presidency of FIFA, today unveiled his vision for the future of football’s world governing body – but declined to name the five federations who have officially endorsed his candidacy.
After lying low for several weeks, in terms of media exposure, following his initial announcement that he wanted to take on Blatter after growing increasingly frustrated with the way FIFA is being run from the top, Asia’s outgoing FIFA vice-president explained why he was putting his name forward as he develops a detailed manifesto.
“It is vital that a genuine debate is held and a consensus is established on key issues – enabling everyone, especially fans, to trust FIFA again as we embark on a new era where world football is governed with integrity and credibility,” said Prince Ali, who has activated a campaign website.
“I want to make FIFA a first-class organisation that is worthy of a sport that unites billions of people around the globe and is rightly declared the world’s game. FIFA should function to promote football and work in a real partnership to support all National Associations in their mission to develop the game – we must get back to focussing on those goals.
“By improving FIFA’s governance and by making the organisation more transparent, I aim to re-build public confidence and show fans and all our stakeholders that we have football’s best interests at heart. This means a fresh start for FIFA that involves genuine reform and also more power and resources available to all of FIFA’s Member Associations.
“I promise to be open and honest about my plans and reform proposals – my programme for the future will be developed by listening to the ideas of all National Associations, large and small and from every region, and exchanging views that best serves the world’s game. This approach to my election campaign reflects my approach to the FIFA Presidency – honest, open and collegiate.”
Prince Ali is using the tagline A FIFA worthy of the World’s Game to get his points across and his full campaign programme can be read at www.worldsgame.com .
He is due to hold a press conference in London next week but there will be some skepticism at his decision not to announce the names of the minimum five federations backing him, required under FIFA’s electoral rules for anyone wishing to stand.
So far only the English FA have come out and said they are one of the five associations supporting Prince Ali, in contrast to rival contenders Luis Figo and Michael van Praag who have both provided the full list of their supporting federations.
A spokeswoman for Prince Ali’s campaign told Insideworldfootball his strategy was a deliberate attempt to do things the correct way.
“He feels it’s the prerogative of the countries who are backing him to individually come out and make announcements as and when they see fit,” she explained. “That’s why he hasn’t taken the lead on that.”
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