Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein wants to end Sepp Blatter's fiefdom at top of FIFA

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ANI Johannesburg
Last Updated : Apr 07 2015 | 2:22 PM IST

Jordanian royal Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who is running for the FIFA presidential elections, has unveiled his manifesto for the role of the world football governing body's president on Monday and wants to end current president Sepp Blatter's fiefdom as he believes that an unfair system of patronage has taken root under the Swiss.

Al Hussein, FIFA vice-president for Asia, revealed that national associations have to feel that it's not a matter of an executive president going and supporting national associations on an ad hoc basis, but that they have their rights, they own this association and that they should get the support they need across the board in a case-by-case fashion.

Al Hussein, Dutch football federation chief Michel van Praag and former Portugal winger Luis Figo are all competing to unseat Blatter, who would seek a fifth term in office in the May 29 election in Zurich, Sport24 reported.

Al Hussein's manifesto contains several thinly veiled swipes at Blatter, including claims that national associations have become dependent on his personal approval and a charge that World Cup revenues have been distributed at the whim of the FIFA president.

He has also warned that drastic action is required to restore the world governing body's credibility following corruption allegations over the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Al Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association, also said that when it comes down to the election, they also need to discuss with the electoral committee how things are conducted, that it's a proper, secret ballot, insisting that he has his concerns about the system that's in place currently.

The 14-page manifesto outlines Ali's vision for a virtuous circle of development, football and commercial success supported by a FIFA that is a service organisation and a model of good governance.

Al Hussein's proposals include increased investment in women's and youth football, as well as a pledge that every member association would have a national stadium worthy of that title.

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First Published: Apr 07 2015 | 2:12 PM IST

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