FIFA presidential candidates vow to 'clean mess'

FIFA presidential candidates -- incumbent chief Sepp Blatter and challenger Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein -- on Friday promised a corruption-free regime during the next four years in football's world governing body -- reeling under a graft scandal involving nine top FIFA officials.

In separate speeches ahead of the vote at the 65th FIFA Congress here, Prince Ali spoke of a transparent administration at the helm of the world football governing body that will make the players and fans' interests its top priority.

Blatter, whose 17 years at the helm of FIFA affairs since 1998 have been plagued by allegations of corruption, said on a placatory note that he would assume responsibility for the travails the world body was currently facing and promised a changed FIFA in the future that would fight corruption tooth and nail.

Both the contenders were afforded a 15-minute opportunity to address the 209 member-association heads gathered here for the Congress as also the vital presidential election.

Prince Ali, speaking first, said: "We stand here today at a crossroads for football and we need a committed leader to take you out of the mess that we are in. I will stand as that.

"With high level of work ethics and transparency, we need to put players and fans' interests at the top of our priority.

"We want transparency, inclusiveness and accountability. Everyone pulling in the same direction for the good of FIFA and football. Today is about taken the first step to change. We must show the world the FIFA family is committed to the game."

The 39-year-old said: "You are not the recipients of FIFA. You are the owners of the game and at this time, the world expects us to stand up and fight for FIFA.

"We should focus on actions, not words. Through a generous programme, we will make our finances accountable and our functioning transparent.

"I will be open and accessible to you. I will come to your pitches and sit in your offices and will listen the challenges openly. I give you my word I will honour the game, without interference."

FIFA boss since 1998, Blatter, who came next, said: "We don't need revolutions, but we always need evolution. Yesterday, the day before and today, I am being held accountable for the current storm. OK so be it. I will shoulder that responsibility. Just as I said, I will take it upon myself. I will accept it and I want to fix FIFA together with you.

"I want to hand over a Fifa that will have emerged from the storm. A FIFA that will have enough safeguards which will not need the political interventions. I promise you this."

Blatter, 79, added: "We will change things in the future starting from tomorrow. We not only have a obligation to fight corruption but also we need to protect our house from other things like racism, doping and violence and match fixing.

"Fifa is about clubs, players, leagues, referees. Professional football needs greater recognition in Fifa. I will install a department for football where there will be representatives from clubs and leagues, which we already have for referees.

"We need to keep the World Cup -- it is the goose that lays the golden egg."