Platini, Prince Ali and Figo among contenders for FIFA presidency

Aug 5, 2015 Following Sep Blatter’s decision not to run again in the next FIFA election, there have been speculations over who is most likely to succeed the 79 year old. In recent speculation, UEFA’s president has emerged as, British bookmakers SkyBet’s favorite to become the next FIFA president.

The former French international, who played in three World Cups for France and led them to the European championship title in 1984, said he wanted to “to give FIFA back the dignity and the position it deserves.”

President Michael van Praag, of the Dutch football federation has referred to Platini as a “serious candidate” to replace Blatter.

Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who lost to Blatter during the last election, is seen as the only candidate likely to challenge Platini, with the bookmakers giving him a 2/1 odd.

Prince Ali, who is yet to announce whether he intends to run again, described Platini’s decision to run in the next FIFA election as “not good for FIFA”.

“Football’s fans and players deserve better. FIFA is engulfed in scandal. We must stop doing business as usual. The practice of back-room, under-the-table deals must end,”

South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, alongside former Portugal, Barcelona and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo are also seen as other potential candidates.