Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan, beaten by Sepp Blatter to the Fifa presidency as the organisation went into meltdown in May, has confirmed he will stand again for the most powerful role in world football.
Since losing the presidential vote in May by 133 to 73, only to see Blatter promise to stand down days later amid arrests and fraud allegations, Prince Ali has turned on Platini.
Prince Ali is the third heavyweight to declare following UEFA chief Michel Platini of France, and former Asia vice-president Chung Mong-joon of South Korea.
Liberian FA president Musa Bility, former Brazilian footballer Zico and David Nakhid, a former Trinidad & Tobago international, and all lightweights in FIFA political circles, have also said they are standing for the position.
A fresh election to find a successor to Blatter will be held in Zurich on February 26 and Ali will again campaign on an anti-corruption, reform programme.
In his speech to announce his candidature, one of a number of public appearances this week, Ali aimed a series of pointed remarks at the French Uefa president.
“Ten months ago, I was the only person who dared to challenge Mr Blatter for the Presidency of Fifa. I ran because I believe that Fifa needs change. And I had the courage to fight for change when others were afraid,” he said.
“I conceded that election. Not because I was not the best candidate, but because others were using me to make room for themselves. They didn’t have the guts to run, but I did. Ever since President Blatter promised his resignation just a few days later, they have been scrambling to secure the job for themselves.”
Launching his campaign last month he referred to Platini, the front runner, as the “son of Blatter” - a barbed reference to the fact that the French Uefa president was widely seen as the natural heir to the discredited Swiss before the pair fell out.
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