Prince Ali bin Hussein claims he can win FIFA presidency

Martyn Ziegler 15:29 07/09/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan has claimed he can win the FIFA presidency – but refused to say whether he will stand in next year’s election.

    Ali lost against Sepp Blatter in May’s election but again hinted he may run – and launched another attack on Michel Platini claiming the Frenchman was a “protege” of Blatter.

    – #360business: Soccerex – Connecting the footballing world
    – Guardiola: Champions League will determine Bayern legacy
    – RATINGS: Have your say on every EPL, La Liga, UCL match
    – #360LIVE: Follow live football scores all around the world

    Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, Ali would not confirm whether or not he would run in the election on February 26 but insisted he could win if he stood.

    Asked if he would stand, he said: “Stay tuned. Right now, I’m talking to national associations, listening to their opinions and giving my own ideas. Right now we need a candidate who is forward-thinking, brings new ideas and not tainted by the past.

    “If done correctly, cleanly, properly and without interference I believe I can [win] for sure.”

    Ali lost by 130 votes to 73 against Blatter in May’s election, where he was supported by UEFA president Platini but he has lost little time in criticising him.

    He said: “FIFA is in crisis and we need a new beginning; Mr Platini’s introduction into football governance was as a protege for Sepp Blatter.

    “I have sat down and talked with him and listened to his ideas and I think it’s responsible to guarantee the future is different from the past and therefore I was not very encouraged.”

    Ali also insisted Blatter must have known about some of the scandals that have come to light at FIFA, adding: “Anything that happened within FIFA must have been known in the leadership of FIFA.”

    He did not oppose its most controversial decision however, saying a World Cup in Qatar will be “lovely” and that FIFA should give help and support to Qatar’s Emir.

    Ali said: “I think it would be lovely to have a World Cup in Russia and also in Qatar. We do need the celebration in our part of the world.”

    Recommended