Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, beaten in May's FIFA presidential election by Sepp Blatter, "will almost certainly announce later this week he will stand for the position again at FIFA's extra-ordinary elective congress next February," according to Mike Collett of REUTERS. Prince Ali "strongly hinted he would stand while speaking to delegates at the Soccerex business convention in Manchester." Although Ali would not confirm his intentions publicly, sources familiar with the developing FIFA presidential campaign later said that "the prince would definitely stand and would make his announcement later this week." Ali, 39, lost by 133-73 votes to incumbent Blatter, "who then announced he was standing down from the position four days later after FIFA was plunged into its worst crisis following arrests of its officials and others two days before the election." A fresh election to find a successor to Blatter will be held in Zurich on Feb. 26 and Ali "now looks certain to become the third major candidate" after UEFA President Michel Platini of France and former FIFA exec committee member and Asian VP Chung Mong-joon of South Korea. Asked by moderator David Davies if he was a candidate for the presidency of FIFA again, Ali replied, "I am talking to national associations, listening to their opinions and what they see for the future and giving my own ideas" (REUTERS, 9/7).
SEPTEMBER DEBATE: REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported a source said that FIFA presidential candidate Zico "wants to hold a debate with his rivals in Zurich later this month." Zico "made the suggestion in an email" to rival candidate Chung and also said that "the BBC was willing to organize the debate." The source said that he suggested "it take place between Sept. 23 and 25," the same week the exec committee of football's scandal-hit governing body meets in Zurich. Chung "had previously written to Zico, saying he agreed with the Brazilian's call made earlier this week, for an early debate among the candidates." Platini "is considered the frontrunner to win the election" to replace outgoing Blatter on Feb. 26. Zico admitted that "he faces a tough battle to get the written backing of five national FAs required by FIFA's electoral rules to officially enter the race." The deadline for candidates to register is Oct. 26 and Zico "launched his campaign website (www.zicofifa.com) on Friday" (REUTERS, 9/5).
