By Andrew Warshaw in London
February 3 – Citing a “culture of intimidation” within FIFA, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan officially launched his campaign today to take over from Sepp Blatter – and named the United States among the federations who had endorsed his candidacy.
Choosing London for his first news conference since last week’s deadline for nominations, Prince Ali said he “could not sit through another four years of what’s been going on” under the present regime and said he would be lobbying among FIFA’s 209 members for as much backing as possible in order to try and unseat Blatter on May 29.
FIFA rules stipulate candidates must have a minimum five letters of support and Prince Ali named those who had endorsed him before the deadline as his native Jordan, England (already known), Malta, Georgia, Belarus and, unsurprisingly given his close relationship with US Soccer chief Sunil Gulati, the United States.
“In the past people have taken a principled stand and they have ended up being punished for it. I hope things are played fairly and in the right way now,” Prince Ali said of the forthcoming election fight.
“The campaign has started and I know it will be a big challenge. Obviously the incumbent has a natural advantage but I don’t think anybody should be written off.”
Prince Ali said he would only publish his full manifesto once he had gauged the mood of FIFA’s membership but called for a public debate among the four candidates in the race – himself, Blatter, Luis Figo and Dutch football chief Michael Van Praag – “to set out our positions and for people to know exactly where we stand.”
Interestingly, Prince Ali, whose Asian FIFA vice-presidency officially ends on election day and whose own confederation says it will support Blatter, vowed to walk away if he loses.
Disclosing that he would not be running for an ordinary Asian FIFA executive committee seat at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) congress on April 30, the head of Jordanian football effectively conceded he was involved in a win or bust campaign.
“My total commitment is to the presidency of FIFA. The way to change it is to go for the top job. There is culture of intimidation. I’ve tried to reform FIFA from within but we don’t have the faith of our fans. I want to rebuild trust in the organisation among all stakeholders.”
Prince Ali refuted suggestions that he was being portrayed simply as a “puppet” of UEFA boss Michel Platini whose confederation has spread initial support among all three candidates opposed to Blatter as a deliberate strategy to try and steal votes away from the veteran Swiss.
Like Figo and van Praag, Prince Ali has a healthy smattering of European support among his nominations though only one, his native Jordan, from within Asia.
“I’m my own man,” countered Prince Ali, at 39 the youngest of FIFA’s powerbrokers whose views have not always been shared by the more conservative old guard.
“Obviously I appreciate the support of Michel Platini who has been working side by side with me. But I intend my programme to be about what the world thinks needs to be done. Globally there is a desire for change.
“The president needs to be held responsible for what happens and the same would apply to me.”
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