Luis Figo to challenge Sepp Blatter in FIFA presidency

Former Portugal international Luis Figo has announced he is going to stand for FIFA presidency. 

The 42-year-old has the support of five FIFA member federations - the minimum requirement needed for a candidate to enter May's vote.

Figo is the second high-profile former player to enter the race after David Ginola declared his intention to run earlier in the month - although the former Newcastle and Tottenham winger is yet to secure the support of five federations.  

Figo's standing means there should now be at least four candidates in the contest after nominations close on Friday.

As well as incumbent president Sepp Blatter and Figo, Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag are standing. 

Another candidate is French former diplomat Jerome Champagne, who is yet to get the support he needs but could do so. 

Figo told CNN: 'I care about football, so what I'm seeing regarding the image of FIFA - not only now but in the past years - I don't like it. 

'If you search FIFA on the internet you see the first word that comes out: scandal - not positive words. It's that we have to change first and try to improve the image of FIFA. Football deserves much better than this. 

'I've been talking with so many important people in football - players, managers, president of federations - and they all think that something has to be done.

'Last year was the World Cup, I was in Brazil and I saw the reaction of all the fans regarding the image of FIFA and I think something has to be changed.

'Change in leadership, governance, transparency and solidarity, so I think it's the moment for that.' 

Figo later tweeted: 'I'm delighted to announce my candidacy for the FIFA Presidency. Football has given me so much during my life & I want to give something back' 

The Scottish Football Association confirmed it will be one of the five national associations that will nominate Van Praag, a fierce critic of Blatter's. Van Praag will confirm the others involved at a news conference in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

An SFA spokesman said: 'We can confirm that the Scottish FA are one of the five associations nominating Mr Van Praag.'

Prince Ali is expected to be nominated by the Football Association - FA chairman Greg Dyke is understood to have offered the association's backing to Prince Ali and discussions have taken place between board members ahead of a meeting on Thursday after which it is expected to be formally announced.

The FA board's view is that the more reformist candidates who enter the contest the better.

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