Portugal legend Luis Figo to challenge Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency
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Updated 28/01/2015 at 18:35 GMT
The great Luis Figo has announced that he will stand for the FIFA presidency, challenging incumbent Sepp Blatter.
Champions League final ambassador Luis Figo smiles during the draw for the Champions League semi-finals matches at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, April 11, 2014. The final will be played May 24, 2014 in Lisbo
Image credit: Reuters
Figo, 42, told CNN in an exclusive interview that he has the support of the five member associations that he needs to enter the presidential race, although he has not named them yet.
"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," Figo 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."
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter star - who won the Ballon d'Or in 2000 - is not the first former player to challenge Blatter, with David Ginola also throwing his name in the hat.
But Figo does not have the burden of the credibility gap faced by Ginola, who is being backed by bookmakers Paddy Power and has not shown he has the necessary support to get his name on the ballot.
"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's credentials were lent further weight on Wednesday when Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho backed his campaign.
Asian Football Confederation vice-president Prince Ali, Dutch chief Michael van Praag and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne have also outlined their plans to challenge Blatter in May.
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