Prince Ali Hints At Second FIFA President Bid

By Christian Radnedge

Former FIFA presidency challenger Prince Ali bin Al Hussein suggested that he may shortly announce a second bid for world football’s top job on Monday.

The Prince, speaking at the Soccerex Global Forum in Manchester, coyly said “stay tuned” when asked if he was going to stand for election as Sepp Blatter’s successor.

Prince Ali lost out to Blatter in May’s election, just days before the Swiss announced his intention to stand down amid the alleged corruption crisis engulfing FIFA.

When asked about his intentions, Prince Ali said: “Right now, I’m talking to national associations, listening to their opinions on what they seek for the future and also giving my own ideas.

“I think that right now we need a candidate who is forward thinking, who would bring some new ideas and who is not tainted by the past as well.

“What I’ll say for you right now is stay tuned. Just stay tuned.”

A new president of FIFA will be elected at an extraordinary elective congress on February 26 in Zurich.

Prince Ali gained 73 votes in the first round of voting back in May, but withdrew from the second round allowing Blatter to be elected for a fifth term in office.

If he decides to stand for election, Prince Ali will be going up against UEFA president Michel Platini and former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon who have both confirmed their candidacy.

“I think looking at the candidates, the most important thing is to have new ideas and a new beginning. Therefore, any candidate who has been in the organisation for a long time I don’t think is what is needed at this moment in time.

“I have tremendous respect for Mr Platini both as a UEFA president and as a former football player. But at the same time there is a difference between UEFA and FIFA. FIFA is in a crisis right now and we need a new beginning.

“And whether anybody likes it or not, to be honest, Michel Platini’s introduction into football governance was as a protégé of Sepp Blatter. That’s a reality. So therefore we need a new beginning.”