Prince Ali says FIFA's leaders knew about corruption

Prince Ali bin al Hussein has lashed out at the football leaders, saying that they were aware of the corruption activities that has plunged the sport's governing body into an unprecedented crisis.

The 39-year-old added that members of the executive committee undoubtedly knew about what had been going on in football deals, Sport24 reported.

Prince Ali insisted that if a player can be punished for breaching rules, then top officials are equally liable to get punished if they are involved in any corrupt activities.

Reacting on his announcement to run for the elections, Prince Ali said that FIFA needs a candidate with forward thinking and the one who doesn't have a tainted past. He added that he was looking forward to announce his decision to run for election shortly.

The election for the appointment of new FIFA president will take place on 26 February, with Sepp Blatter standing down amidst a corruption crisis engulfing the football's governing body.

FIFA's image was hampered after 14 sports marketing executives and football officials, including several from Zurich-based FIFA, were indicted by the United States in late May over corruption charges.