PARIS — Former FIFA official Jerome Champagne formally announced Monday that he will stand against incumbent Sepp Blatter in next year's election for president of the world soccer body. “I have the honor of informing you that I have just written to the FIFA ad-hoc Electoral Committee and its president, Mr. Domenico Scala, to confirm my intention to run for FIFA president,” Champagne said in a letter on his campaign website. The Frenchman, FIFA's former director of international relations, announced in January that he intended to run for the presidency - the most powerful job in soccer - but then confused many observers with his comments regarding Blatter. At his launch news conference, Champagne had declared he did not believe he could beat Blatter and that he was undecided about whether he would even run if his former boss was a candidate. Blatter, 78, announced last week that he would seek a fifth term and, with UEFA President Michel Platini having decided against challenging him, the prospect of the Swiss being unopposed looked likely. Champagne did not mention Blatter by name in his statement but the 56-year-old said it was important to have a debate over the future of the game. “I am happy that the debate about the future of FIFA and football has finally begun with the prospect of various candidates,” he said, adding that he would like all candidates to take part in public and televised debates across the world. “First and foremost, debating about issues is a normal process in an institution based on democratic principles. “Then, this debate is particularly indispensable for football,” he added. He is married with three children, lives in Zurich and supports French club St Etienne. — Agencies
