Figo, how far will star power go?
For me anyone but Blatter or Prince Ali.
Still an interesting candidate to join the nominees.
Portugal legend Luis Figo is the latest shock candidate to run for FIFA presidency.
The former Real Madrid and Barcelona star says that he is determined to change an organisation that he says is too often associated with "scandal".
As a result, he is hoping to stand against Sepp Blatter for the role in the upcoming elections - and it is thought he has secured the required backing of five FIFA member associations.
The 42-year-old would become the most recognisable football face to challenge Blatter, after his distinguished 20-year playing career, and represents a serious blow to the Swiss' 17-year hold on the game's top job.
The two-time world player of the year reveled that he cared about the game and wanted to change the worldwide perception of FIFA, which he believes is marred in controversy at the moment.
Speaking to CNN, he said: "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.
"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 will run against David Ginola, Jerome Champagne, Prince Ali of Jordan and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag alongside controversial figure Blatter.
He did not name who his five nominees were, but indicated he had them ahead of Thursday's deadline with the elections set to take place in May.
Figo admitted that the non-publication of Michael Garcia's report into the award of the World Cup's in 2018 and 2022 to Russia and Qatar was the final straw.
Comments
His cupboards must be ENORMOUS for all those skeletons inside !
And to think Blatter was supposed to be the good guy after all the questionable years under Havolange. I suppose power corrupts....
Sepp Blatter, the Robert Mugabe of sport.
They should've rallied behind a single opposition candidate.
The FIFA Presidency should definitely be for a maximum number of terms though, we've had one man in for so long that it feels other Sports have over-taken Football in terms of ideas, get a new man in to freshen it up if anything
The Cia the fbi are the only ones who can bring him down and they are dawdling for a reason
A just European and South American cup would be way more interesting anyway.
Wouldn't be surprised if van Praag is a little wealthier this week and was told to say he would be supporting the Jordanian candidate.
Blatter knows what he does and does what he knows...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32826308