Luis Figo to run for FIFA presidency

Former Portugal international, Luis Figo, has announced he is going to stand for FIFA presidency.

The 42-year-old former Barcelona and Real Madrid player said his mission is to clean up the organisation after a series of high-profile scandals.

“I care about football, so what I’m seeing regarding the image of FIFA – not only now but in the past years – I don’t like it,” he told CNN.

“If you search FIFA on the internet you see the first word that comes out: scandal – not positive words. It’s that we have to change first and try to improve the image of FIFA. Football deserves much better than this.

“I’ve been talking with so many important people in football – players, managers, president of federations – and they all think that something has to be done. Last year was the World Cup, I was in Brazil and I saw the reaction of all the fans regarding the image of FIFA and I think something has to be changed.

“Change in leadership, governance, transparency and solidarity, so I think it’s the moment for that.”

Figo, who served on the UEFA Football Committee from 2011-2015, has the support of five FIFA member federations – the minimum requirement needed for a candidate to enter May’s vote.

He’s now the second high-profile former player to enter the race after David Ginola declared his intention to run earlier in the month – although the former France international is yet to secure the support of five federations.

Figo’s standing means there should now be at least four candidates in the contest after nominations close on Friday.

As well as incumbent president Sepp Blatter and Figo, Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag are standing.

Jerome Champagne is another candidate but the former diplomat is yet to get the support he needs.

Figo played 127 times for Portugal and won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002.

He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2000 and was FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001.

In 2000, he made a controversial move from Barcelona to rivals Real Madrid for a then world record fee of £37m.