AMMAN (AFP) – Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein on Wednesday launched his bid to succeed FIFA president Sepp Blatter, saying he is the only candidate with the “guts” to confront corruption in football’s governing body.
“I stand here in this ancient place in the timeless heart of Amman to once again launch my candidacy for the presidency of FIFA,” he told a gathering within the ruins of the Jordanian capital’s Roman amphitheatre.
Prince Ali, 39, is a former FIFA vice president who led an unsuccessful challenge as a reform candidate against Blatter for the top job in May, just two days after the arrest of seven FIFA officials in Zurich.
He got 73 votes to 133 for Blatter in the first round of the election before withdrawing, only for Blatter to announce on June 2 that he would stand down in 2016.
“Let me be clear. I want to finish what we started,” he said in a speech on Wednesday before his supporters, among them Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur.
“Ten months ago, I was the only person who dared to challenge Mr Blatter for the presidency of FIFA.
“I ran because I believe that FIFA needs change. And I had the courage to fight for change when others were afraid.”
Prince Ali, a half-brother of Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who was educated in the United Kingdom and the United States, said he conceded in a run-off against Blatter in May because “others were using me to make room for themselves”.
“They didn’t have the guts to run, but I did.
“Ever since president Blatter promised his resignation just a few days later, they have been scrambling to secure the job for themselves.”
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