By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – One of the potential contenders for FIFA president and a long time bitter rival of Sepp Blatter has said that leaving him until February 26 to stay in the job shows the organisation “have yet to come to their senses”.
Billionaire South Korean Chung Mong-joon, who was a FIFA vice-president for 17 years and is reportedly seeking a way back into power, is emerging as the most likely candidate from Asia even though the confederation is reported to be supporting UEFA president Michel Platini.
Chung, for years a fierce critic of Blatter, said he was still thinking about running, telling The Associated Press he wanted to “breathe new wind” into FIFA which is gripped by the worst crisis in its 111-year history.
Chung said leaving Blatter to mastermind of the upcoming reform programme “only shows that those involved have yet to come to their senses.”
“Blatter has been doing whatever he wants with FIFA for 40 years since his days as general secretary, and while he said he’s going out, it doesn’t seem he really is. Letting Blatter manage FIFA and design reform plans before the February vote is comedy.”
With his confederation reportedly behind Platini, Chung pointedly and sarcastically cautioned against another European succeeding Blatter.
“Since Europe is the centre of world football there are some who have their doubts about an Asian becoming president of FIFA,” he was quoted as saying. “But the idea that only a European can become FIFA president is why FIFA is plagued by corruption. I am positively considering running for the presidency and will be able to reveal my decision soon.”
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