By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein has been quick to seize on Michel Platini’s alleged implication in the ongoing corruption crisis by once again reiterating the need for a fresh start at world football’s governing body.
Having taken the gamble of standing a second time after being beaten by Sepp Blatter last May, Prince Ali has been trailing behind Platini almost from the start but his supporters will view the latest developments, notably over a SFr2 million (€1.2 million) payment made to Platini, as a silver bullet even though the UEFA chief categorically denies any wrongdoing.
With FIFA in meltdown after Swiss justice authorities opened criminal proceedings against Blatter and also raised questions about the credibility of Platini who has been a vice-president since 2007, Prince Ali used the situation to his advantage, issuing a statement calling for the old guard to be replaced in its entirety.
“The need for new leadership that can restore the credibility of FIFA has never been more apparent,” said Prince Ali. “We cannot change the past, but we can have a future where FIFA member associations are able to focus on football rather than worrying about the next scandal or criminal investigation involving FIFA leadership.
“We have to accept that changing FIFA is not a matter of choice; it has already changed, shaken to its very core by the scandals that have decimated our governing body and cast a cloud over the entire organisation.”
Prince Ali has yet to name the five nominations from among FIFA’s 209 associations which each candidate needs in order to meet election criteria but suggested he had already picked up support following Friday’s momentous developments.
“I have heard from many member associations over the last 24 hours, and what I have heard gives me confidence that, working together, we can emerge from this stronger,” he said.
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