Chung Mong-Joon Enters FIFA Presidential Race

(ATR) Honorary FIFA vice president Chung Mong-Joon says he will clean the sport of football if elected president of FIFA.

Chung blames the previous president Sepp Blatter for the recent corruption scandals which have cast shadows over the sport and its organizing body.

''The real reason FIFA has become such a corrupt organization is because the same person and his cronies have been running it for 40 years. Absolute power corrupts absolutely,'' Chung said.

Chung gave these criticisms of the current FIFA regime and announced his bid to enter the FIFA presidential race while in Paris on Monday.

He believes he could bring transparency and fairness back to FIFA.

"The FIFA president must be a crisis manager and a reformer. He must be more than just a head of the technical department. After decades of an ever-widening circle of corruption, FIFA needs a leader who can bring back common sense, transparency and accountability," Chung said.

Chung joins Michael Platini in the race for football’s top job. Former Brazilian coach and footballer Zico has also announced his intention to run.

Platini is considered by many to be the favorite to replace Blatter. Platini has been an executive committee member for 13 years and was a long-time supporter of Blatter. His views of the embattled president have changed following corruption allegations.

Chung says a change from Blatter’s inner-circle is necessary, saying Platini and Blatter shared a "father-son" relationship while working together. He also criticizes Platini’s shift in attitude toward Blatter.

''It has suddenly become very fashionable to be Blatter's enemy. This is too convenient.''

Another candidate considering joining the race is Prince Ali bin al-Hussein. Prince Ali ran against Blatter earlier in the year for the position of president but lost by a wide margin. Blatter announced his plans to step down as president just a few days later.

All candidates must express interest to FIFA by an October 26 deadline. Candidates will then campaign for four months to earn the support and votes of the 209 national federations within FIFA.

The election will take place at an extraordinary FIFA congress on February 26.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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