Agencies
Zurich, January 29
Sepp Blatter has officially entered FIFA’s presidential race with hours to go before the deadline.
The current president is running for a fifth term and could face as many as five challengers for his role once the cut-off point for nominations passes at 11pm on Thursday.
A message on Blatter’s twitter page said, “This is a key date in the electoral calendar. I’ve made my submission, now the electoral committee follow a process.”The 78-year-old last weekend effectively told his critics within UEFA to put up or shut up - and within two days Dutch FA boss Michael van Praag and former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo had declared their candidacies.
Both say they have the five nominations from FIFA-affiliated national associations needed to make it onto the ballot paper, with the Scottish FA among six confirmed van Praag backers.
Jose Mourinho has come out in support of fellow Portuguese Figo while the English FA is expected - initially at least - to endorse the candidacy of Prince Ali Al Bin Hussein, the Jordanian FA boss who is already a FIFA vice-president.
Another potential candidate is Frenchman Jerome Champagne, who was the first man to publicly declare his challenge but admitted earlier this month he might struggle for backers.
Former Newcastle and Tottenham winger David Ginola, meanwhile, told Sky Sports News HQ earlier this month his campaign is not just a publicity stunt.
A sixth possible challenger, prominent agent Mino Raiola, declared an interest earlier this month but withdrew in the wake of van Praag’s decision to stand.
Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad quoted Raiola as saying: “It is not about me but about getting a good candidate for the FIFA presidency. Now there is a good candidate.”
