AMMAN: Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, defeated challenger to Sepp Blatter in the FIFA presidential eleftion in May, has frowned on Michel Platini’s declaration of intent.

Platini, French head of the European federation UEFA, as a fellow vice-president of FIFA during the Jordanian’s stint on the world body’s executive committee.

Prince Ali then benefited from support by UEFA and Platini when he took on Blatter at FIFA Congress on May 29. Ultimately he withdrew after denying Blatter the satisfaction of a first-round victory.

But Prince Ali’s experience has led him to believe that Platini is not the right man to take over from Blatter with FIFA battered by the worst crisis in its 111-year history.

He said: “Platini is not good for FIFA. Football’s fans and players deserve better. FIFA is engulfed in scandal. We must stop doing business as usual. The practice of back-room, under-the-table deals must end.”

Prince Ali, who is yet to announce whether he intends to run again, said he would be consulting individual football federations in the coming week “about what is in the best interests of football.

He added: “What is clear is that FIFA needs new, independent leadership, untainted by the practices of the past.”

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