South Korean powerbroker Chung Mong-joon "is leaning toward running for the FIFA presidency as a replacement for Sepp Blatter," and said that a non-European leader would help breathe "new wind" into football's int'l governing body, according to Kim Tong-Hyung of the AP. A former FIFA VP, Chung "also criticized the decision this week to allow Blatter to remain as president until the election on Feb. 26, despite calls for him to immediately step down." Chung said that "he plans to consult leaders of regional confederations and other key figures before he finalizes his decision whether to run for FIFA's top job." If he becomes president, Chung said that "he would aim to eliminate corruption and improve its accounting transparency." He said that "he would also try to strengthen football in Asia and other regions where the sport has most room to grow" (AP, 7/21). REUTERS' Peter Rutherford wrote Chung said that leaving Blatter at the helm of FIFA until a new president is elected shows those in power at the scandal-hit governing body "have yet to come to their senses." Chung: "The idea to leave Sepp Blatter in charge to manage the elections until February next year and to let him come up with a reform plan only shows that those involved have yet to come to their senses." Chung, a former member of FIFA's "powerful Executive Committee and a fierce critic of Blatter, is the biggest shareholder in Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd and a one-time South Korean presidential hopeful" (REUTERS, 7/20).
PLATINI SUPPORT: The PA's Martyn Ziegler wrote England's FIFA VP David Gill "has given his personal endorsement to Michel Platini running to succeed Sepp Blatter as president of the world governing body." Platini "has yet to announce his candidacy but has the backing of four of the six FIFA confederations." Gill: "Any FA decision on the FIFA presidency will ultimately be a matter for discussion by the whole FA board. My own personal view is that Michel has done a first-class job at UEFA. ... He has not officially put his name forward yet, but he is a football man, he has the experience and, like any good leader, he has a lot of good people around him because you cannot do it alone" (PA, 7/21). SPUTNIK reported Russian Football Union Honorary President Vyacheslav Koloskov said that Russia "will support" Platini if he announces a bid for the presidency. Koloskov said, "Of course we will support Platini. This is a very good candidature for the position of FIFA president" (SPUTNIK, 7/20). REUTERS' Simon Evans wrote a FIFA committee headed by Domenico Scala "will supervise integrity checks on candidates hoping to stand in February's election" to replace Blatter as president. FIFA said on Tuesday that Scala, chair of their Independent Audit & Compliance Committee, "would be the Ad-hoc Electoral Committee chairman." FIFA Disciplinary Committee Chair Claudio Sulser and FIFA Appeal Committee Chair Larry Mussenden "are also members of the committee" (REUTERS, 7/21).
