Issa Hayatou of Cameroon said today he would stand as a candidate for the presidency of soccer's world governing body FIFA.
Hayatou, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and one of seven FIFA vice presidents, declared he was running against incumbent president Sepp Blatter following a meeting of CAF's executive committee.
Hayatou, 55, has been a critic of Blatter, who has been accused of downplaying financial losses suffered by FIFA as a result of the collapse of marketing partners ISL last year.
Hayatou is bidding to become the first African to head FIFA and his intention to run for president in the May 29th election is backed by fellow vice-presidents Lennart Johansson, who leads Europe's UEFA body, and by Chung Mong-joon the powerful president of the Korean football association.