Source: SuperSport,South Korean tycoon Chung Mong-joon, one of the most influential figures
in Asian soccer, said on Tuesday that leaving Sepp Blatter at the helm
of Fifa until a new president is elected shows those in power at the
scandal-hit governing body "have yet to come to their senses".
Fifa announced on Monday it would set up a new task force to propose
reforms aimed at cleaning itself up, a move critics said was an
inadequate response to the crisis.
Chung, the billionaire scion of the Hyundai conglomerate and a former
Fifa vice president, told Yonhap News agency he was still thinking about
standing in the election, which will take place on February 26.
An "extraordinary elective congress" of all 209 member associations will
decide a the successor to Blatter, who has been at the helm of Fifa
since 1998.
Blatter announced on June 2 he was standing down, just four days after
winning a fifth term with an election victory at a congress overshadowed
by the arrest of seven soccer officials.
"I am thinking of running. I would like to open a new era for Fifa,"
said Chung, who had said in June he would gauge support before making a
decision.
"The idea to leave Sepp Blatter in charge to manage the elections until
February next year and to let him come up with a reform plan only shows
that those involved have yet to come to their senses."
Chung, a former member of Fifa's powerful Executive Committee and a
fierce critic of Blatter, is the biggest shareholder in Hyundai Heavy
Industries Co Ltd and a one-time South Korean presidential hopeful.
He was instrumental in bringing the World Cup to South Korea in 2002, when it co-hosted the event with Japan.
Michel Platini, the head of Europe's governing body, is viewed as
favourite to succeed Blatter, with a Uefa source on Monday saying four
out of six continental confederations would back him, but Chung
cautioned against another European taking over.
"Since Europe is the centre of world football there are some who have
their doubts about an Asian becoming president of Fifa," Chung said.
"But the idea that only a European can become Fifa president is why Fifa
is plagued by corruption."
Fifa is in the grip of the worst crisis in its 111-year history, with 14
sports marketing executives and soccer officials, including several
from Fifa, indicted in the United States on bribery, money laundering
and wire fraud charges.
The US Department of Justice investigation into corruption, kickbacks
and racketeering in soccer could lead to more charges, especially if
some of those indicted agree to cooperate with authorities.
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