Chung: FIFA needs non-european boss
Frenchman Michel Platini has been criticised by a rival for the FIFA presidency as “a product of the system”.
Chung Mong-joon, a former FIFA vice-president from South Korea, announced last week he intends to run for the presidency and is expected to formally launch his campaign in August.
A long-time critic of outgoing president Sepp Blatter, Chung has called for a non-European to be elected to FIFA’s top post.
He told BBC’s World Football programme: “It will be very difficult for Mr Platini to have any meaningful reforms. Mr Platini enjoys institutional support from the current structure of FIFA. Mr Platini is very much a product of the current system.
“It is time that FIFA had a non-European leadership. FIFA became a closed organisation for President Blatter, his associates and his cronies and I want to change that.
“If I get elected, my job is not to enjoy the luxury of the office. My job is to change it.”
Chung is a rich industrialist who is the major shareholder of Hyundai. Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan is also expected to run – he said on Wednesday that Platini would “not be good for FIFA”.
Platini remains the clear favourite to win the February 26 election – he has the support of four of the six FIFA confederations including Asia, the home confederation of both Chung and Prince Ali.
