Just a quick one today to fill you all in on a really exciting event; as die-hard footy lovers will already know, on Thursday, FIFA announces its new Asian VP. Amongst those in the running are the incredible Prince Ali of Jordan and current VP, ancient Chung Mong-Joon, the South Korean rumoured to be Sepp Blatter’s successor.
I’m going to keep this brief; all talk of corruption and ‘keeping it in the family’ aside, Prince Ali is most definitely the more worthy candidate. It’s about time FIFA hired some young blood, someone with a little more transparency, who is not involved in all the political filth that’s seen FIFA under intense scrutiny of late.
Prince Ali’s campaign is based on bringing back some integrity to a game that has become nothing more than a political playground. The prince has been a fundamental player in bringing attention to the game in the Levant and the Arab world at large. With the help of HH King Abdullah of Jordan, Prince Ali has set up and currently leads the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF).
What breaks my heart is once again, how political conflict on the ground has affected the voting process already. Mohammed Bin Hammam of Qatar, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), recently stated he will NOT be backing Prince Ali’s bid. His claim was due to broadening the FIFA spectrum, rather than seemingly taking sides with his Arab counterpart.
With the Qatari-Jordanian ties under the strains they have been for the past few years, the aforementioned claim is both curious and has dashed the potential for a legitimately committed face within FIFA and a friendly, beacon of hope between the two countries.
I want to say ‘may the best man win’ but sadly, because I know the best man is Prince Ali, I am near certain said quote will not apply to this particular circumstance. Sad really.
You can watch Prince Ali's campaign video below:
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