LONDON: Prince Ali will challenge Greg Dyke to bring the Football Association on to the moral high ground at next month’s FIFA presidential election writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

The Jordanian is one of five candidates to succeed disgraced Sepp Blatter at an election congress in Zurich on February 26 and believes he is the only credible candidate to rescue the tottering world football federation.

Prince Ali, who meets FA chairman Dyke this week, believes the support of the British home nations in general and England in particular would send a significant message to make other federations’ leaders sit up.

In launching his updated manifesto in London, he said: “I am seeking the support of the Football Association as well as that of all four home nations because I think it’s critical.

“There is a moral aspect to English football and the positions they have taken in the past and I would be keen getting their support, critically at this stage, as I had in the last election.”

Most of Europe threw its support behind Prince Ali in the election last May as the preferred candidate of UEFA. However, this time around many of those votes are likely to switch behind the candidacy of UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino.

Hence Prince Ali’s determination to appeal for the FA to put what he considers as the greater good of the world game above regional loyalties.

He said: “The most important thing now is to see what England stands for. People around the world respect England and English football in particular.

“They are all fans of the Premier League and want to know that England cares about the future of FIFA and its future and I would like to gain that support.”

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