The race to become the next FIFA president officially began on July 20, when the man who is relinquishing the post, Sepp Blatter, announced that a special election to name his successor would be held in February next year.
A week later, the question of who will replace Blatter, FIFA’s leader since 1998, finally has some possible answers.
UEFA president Michel Platini is to announce as early as this week that he will run for what many believe is the most powerful position in international sports, according to two soccer officials who have been briefed on his campaign. Merely by entering the race, Platini, 60, once considered the world’s best player and a former midfielder for the France national team, instantly became a heavy favorite to win the election, though he will surely face competition.
Chung Mong-joon, a South Korean billionaire whose family heads the Hyundai conglomerate, is the most notable among a group of other potential candidates who are considering launching campaigns. Chung formerly served as a FIFA vice president and member of its executive committee, and he is one of the most influential officials in Asian soccer.
Other possible candidates include: Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who ran unsuccessfully against Blatter in May; Musa Bility, the president of Liberia’s soccer association, who broke ranks with his African compatriots in voting against Blatter in the 2011 presidential election; and at least two other former star players: Zico, of Brazil, who played in three World Cups and has stated publicly he hopes to replace Blatter, and David Ginola, of France, who mounted a largely satirical campaign — backed by an Irish betting company — before the last election.
However, Platini seems to have the most institutional support.
Many soccer officials believe Platini represents the best bridge candidate for the job, because he is familiar with FIFA as an institution — he was the head of the organizing committee when France hosted the 1998 World Cup and has served on FIFA’s executive committee since 2002 — but is also seen as progressive enough to help push for significant reform.
With FIFA mired in the most significant crisis of its 111-year history, Platini has been presenting himself as a sturdy and familiar leader.
Each candidate has until Oct. 26 to obtain the support of five national federations, which is needed for a nomination, and all will be subject to a new, stricter background check before the election.
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