Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Royal Highness Prince Ali on Tuesday announced his intention to run as a candidate in FIFA's presidential election on May 29.

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

"This was not an easy decision. It came after careful consideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the last few months," remarked the current FIFA vice-president and head of the Jordanian and West Asian Football Federations.

"The message I heard repeatedly was that it is time for a change," added Prince Ali, who has been encouraged to run by UEFA and its president, Michel Platini.

"FIFA exists to serve a sport that unites billions of people all over the world---people of differing and diverse political, religious and social affiliations, who come together in their enjoyment of 'the world's game,'" the prince said.

"The world’s game deserves a world-class governing body - an international federation- that is a service organization and a model of ethics, transparency and good governance," the prince continued.

Prince Ali became president of the Jordan Football Association in 1999 before being elected as the Asian Football Confederation's FIFA vice-president in 2011.

The prince founded the West Asia Football Federation in 2000 and launched the Asian Football Development Project in 2012. The non-profit development project aims to develop football across Asia with a focus on youth development, women's empowerment, social responsibility and the protection and evolution of the game.


*Petra