The royal game: Jordanian Prince Ali to challenge Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency

Fifa vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein will challenge incumbent Sepp Blatter for the leadership of world football’s governing body.

16:17 06 January 2015

Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has been confirmed to run for Fifa presidency and will go up against incumbent Sepp Blatter at the presidential elections on May 29. 78-year-old Blatter is seeking a fifth term of office.

Prince Ali said: "It is time to shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport.

"The headlines should be about football, not about Fifa."

"The message I heard, over and over, was that it is time for a change," the Asian Football Confederation's vice-president said.

"The world game deserves a world-class governing body - an international federation that is a service organisation and a model of ethics, transparency and good governance."

Uefa president Michel Platini is said to be “pleased” with Prince Ali’s move and will attempt to get the Jordanian as many votes as possible in Europe.

Fifa has weathered several corruption allegations during Blatter’s 17-year reign. Last month, it became embroiled in more allegations of World Cup bidding corruption.