Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein formally enters Fifa presidency race

Prince who lost to Sepp Blatter in May says crisis is ‘opportunity for change’ for body

Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein has formally submitted his candidature for the Fifa presidency. Photograph: Reuters
Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein has formally submitted his candidature for the Fifa presidency. Photograph: Reuters

Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan has formally submitted his candidature for the Fifa presidency and claimed the crisis that has afflicted the world governing body is an "opportunity for change".

The prince, who lost against Sepp Blatter in the election in May, has secured the five nominations needed to run but is not making public the names of those associations who have backed him.

Prince Ali said: “This time of crisis at Fifa is an opportunity for positive change. Many good ideas have emerged in the current discussion over Fifa’s future.

“A better future will only come if ideas turn into action — and that will only happen if Fifa has the right leadership. I am confident that Fifa can emerge from this difficult period with its reputation restored and become (an) organisation that is once again viewed with respect.”

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He has also emailed the heads of all of Fifa’s member associations saying the “dark cloud” over Fifa’s leadership should not overshadow the good work done.

“I have never lost sight of the fact that there are so many good and honest people within the global Fifa organisation,” said the prince.

“The crisis at Fifa is a crisis of leadership. I believe in this organisation. Together we will make it great again.”

Uefa's 54 member associations are meeting to discuss the crisis later on Thursday while Michel Platini is facing the prospect of a number of European countries — including the four British associations — turning their back on him as a result of his £1.35million payment from Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

The disclosure that no written contract for the 2million Swiss franc payment has been provided to Fifa’s ethics committee — which has provisionally suspended Uefa president Platini and Blatter for 90 days — has caused consternation among those who had initially backed the Frenchman.

Meanwhile, Asian football president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa from Bahrain is also actively considering now running for the Fifa presidency.