FIFA presidency: David Bernstein backs Prince Ali bid

Jan 07, 2015 Sports

Former FA chairman David Bernstein has backed Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein’s bid to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency. The Jordanian

Prince Ali will challenge Sepp Blatter (right),
who is running for a fifth term as FIFA president

Prince, 39, will stand as a candidate at FIFA’s presidential election on 29 May, where Blatter, 78, will seek a fifth term of office.
Bertstein worked with Prince Ali on FIFA’s committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility.
“FIFA needs a change and I think Prince Ali could do it,” said Bernstein. Football’s governing body FIFA has suffered a number of corruption allegations during Blatter’s 17-year reign.
FIFA vice-president Prince Ali announced his decision to stand on Tuesday (yesterday) after saying he had been encouraged to do so by colleagues. Bernstein added: “I know Prince Ali fairly well, he’s a very impressive person and I think he’s a decent person. He’ll make a very interesting challenge to Blatter.
“FIFA needs a major shake-up, it has lost its credibility and there’s all sorts of issues.
“The man at the top makes a hell of a difference in any organisation. It would be quite a job.
“There has been quite a bit of change within the FIFA set-up already, but without a change at the top I don’t think we will see real reform.”
Former diplomat Jerome Champagne, 56, who joined FIFA in 1999, is the only other challenger to have confirmed his intention to run for the presidency. However, Bernstein says there needs to be just one candidate in the running against Blatter.
“If there are two people competing and splitting the vote, that will do no good at all,” said Bernstein. “Blatter is a very shrewd operator, he gets a lot of support and he plays the game well.
“I think it will be difficult to beat him but I am pleased someone is having a go.”
But when asked if he felt Blatter would still be in charge after the elections, Bernstein said: “Yes.” UEFA president Michel Platini said: “I know Prince Ali well. He has all the credibility required to hold high office. We now await his proposals and his programme for the future of football.”
FA chairman Greg Dyke added: “Personally I welcome Prince Ali’s decision to stand for the FIFA presidency. It is very important that there is a credible candidate standing against Mr. Blatter and Prince Ali is certainly that.” (BBCsport)

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