Prince Ali to stand for FIFA presidency

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, FIFA vice president, will stand for election against incumbent Sepp Blatter as leader of football’s world governing body.

The 39-year-old Jordanian prince, who made his intention known on Tuesday, will stand as a candidate in the FIFA presidential election on May 29 in Zurich, where Blatter, 79, is seeking a fifth mandate.

“This was not an easy decision,” the prince said.

“It came after careful consideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the last few months. The message I heard, over and over, was that it is time for a change.”

Prince Ali, who has been encouraged to run by UEFA and its president Michel Platini, wants to improve the battered image of FIFA under Blatter’s 17-year leadership.

The organisation has been rocked by bribery allegations in presidential and World Cup hosting elections.

FIFA’s image sank further last month when ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia resigned and criticised Blatter’s leadership style and the organisation unwillingness to reform its process.

“It is time to shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport,” Prince Ali said.

“The world’s game deserves a world-class governing body, an international federation that is a service organisation and a model of ethics, transparency and good governance.”

Prince Ali became president of Jordanian football federation in 1999 before being elected as the Asian Football Confederation’s FIFA vice-president in 2011.