FIFA presidential race candidates formally accepted

AMMAN — The FIFA ad-hoc electoral committee on Tuesday announced its official acceptance of HRH Prince Ali’s candidacy for the international football federation’s top post. Prince Ali is among four candidates who will be running in FIFA’s presidential race in Zurich, slated for May 29, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Prince Ali, the FIFA vice president for Asia and head of the Jordan Football Association, is running against current President Sepp Blatter; Michael van Praag, head of the Dutch football association; and former Portugal player Luis Figo. The prince announced his candidacy in early January, stating that his main goal is to improve FIFA’s governance and make the organisation more transparent. He also mentioned that his reform plan aims to restore FIFA’s credibility, serve football, protect the game and neutralise threats, and develop the game globally.