SEOUL: A new Korean Chung has a place on the FIFA executive committee in his sights writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Four years after Chung Mong-joon was ousted after 17 years as Asian’s vice-president of the world football federation so his cousin, Chung Mong-gyu wants to follow in his footsteps to the top table in Zurich.

Chung Mong-gyu, president of the South Korean federation, and a 53-year-old scion of one of the country’s most powerful families, has registered formally with the Asian confederation his candidacy for a seat on the FIFA exco.

The deadline for nominations to the AFC election congress in April is February 28. Chung’s rivals are likely to include Kozo Tashima (vice-president of the Japan Football Association), FIFA veteran Worawi Makudi (head of the Football Association of Thailand), Tengku Abdullah (president of the Football Association of Malaysia) and Saud Al Mohannadi (vice-president of the Qatar Football Association).

One man not standing for re-election is Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein who ousted Chung as the AFC’s FIFA vice-president in 2011.

On that occasion Prince Ali had the behind-the-scenes support of FIFA president Sepp Blatter who had viewed Chung Mong-joon as a potential for command of the world federation. How times change: Prince Ali has confirmed that his only power bid this year is for Blatter’s role as FIFA president.

Chung is not the only possible new South Korean presence within the ‘FIFA family’. Samsung is favourite to take over the World Cup sponsorship slot dropped by losses-hit Sony.

The FIFA exco already has one other Chung in its membership: David Chung, now from Papua New Guinea, is president of the Oceania confederation.

** Mohamed Raouraoua, president of the Algerian federation, has decided he will not to fight to retain his place as an African confederation delegate on the FIFA exco. Raouraoua will have served only one four-year term.

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