In this May 29, 2015 file photo FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter (R) walks past Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein (L) and UEFA President Michel Platini (C) during the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland. — AP
LONDON — FIFA has been “decimated” by scandal, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein a candidate to become president of football's world body said Saturday after its president was placed under criminal investigation. He said the suspicions of criminal mismanagement against FIFA's veteran leader highlighted “the need for new leadership that can restore the credibility of FIFA. “We cannot change the past, but we can have a future where FIFA member associations are able to focus on football rather than worrying about the next scandal or criminal investigation involving FIFA leadership,” he said in a statement. The prince, a former FIFA vice president, who challenged Blatter in an election this year, said FIFA “has already changed, shaken to its very core by the scandals that have decimated our governing body and cast a cloud over the entire organization.” Football leaders have a “duty” to show that the world body is “worthy of the sport it oversees on behalf of the players, the fans and the millions of young boys and girls who can benefit from it.” “I have heard from many member associations over the last 24 hours, and what I have heard gives me confidence that, working together, we can emerge from this stronger,” the prince said. Swiss investigators questioned Blatter Friday on suspicion of “criminal mismanagement” as the FIFA corruption storm climbed to the summit of the world body's leadership. This dramatic latest twist in FIFA's corruption saga came after months of probes following raids in Zurich which led to the indictment of more than a dozen top officials. Blatter announced four days after he was reelected on May 30 that he will stand down. The prince, UEFA president Michel Platini — who has been implicated in the new investigation — and South Korean tycoon Chung Mong-joon, also a former FIFA vice president, are leading candidates in the Feb. 26 election to take over. Platini, who was questioned as a witness, denies wrongdoing. However, if he is implicated in the probe surrounding Blatter it could benefit Prince Ali's chances. A rift has grown between Platini and Prince Ali since the UEFA president backed the Jordanian federation chief's failed bid to unseat Blatter in May. The prince denounced Platini as “not good for FIFA” after the Frenchman launched his campaign in July, but he avoided mentioning the UEFA president by name in Saturday's statement. — Agencies
