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Luis Figo

VIENNA. — Portuguese football legend Luis Figo, who is challenging for the FIFA presidency, said on Monday that a new victory for incumbent Sepp Blatter would mean four lost years.

Figo, who said he is financing his own campaign, added that nearly every football leader he meets declares a desire for change but he did not know whether federations would turn against Blatter.

The 79-year-old FIFA president is favourite to win a fifth term at a congress on May 29.

But Figo, FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein and Dutch federation chief Michael van Praag are standing against him.

All four were to appear at the UEFA congress in Vienna yesterday though Blatter has refused to speak at the same time as his rivals.

“If nothing happens, it is going to be like losing four years of trying to modernise, trying to have more transparency because things will continue the same,” Figo told reporters.

“I am saying this to all the people I see in meetings and the feedback is positive.

“Most people say we think we need change, but you have to wait and see on May 29 if really they want change, or they want to continue to be managed like this,” added the 42-year-old former Barcelona and Real Madrid star.

All three opponents say they are standing because of FIFA’s tarnished image after a storm of controversy over the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Figo, the Ballon d’Or winner in 2000, has promised more transparency and a greater say for national associations, as well as a 40 country World Cup.

Van Praag says he wants to cut costs and increase democracy.

The 67-year-old former president of Ajax also said he would only stand for one four year term.

While Blatter has never faced such an array of challengers for the leadership of the richest sporting federation, he still has important backing in Africa and Asia.

“Sometimes you are afraid of change and the most important thing is to try to convince people that change is not a big deal,” said Figo.

Meanwhile, FIFA president Blatter yesterday appealed to his biggest critics to show unity and solidarity ahead of an election in which he faces an unprecedented challenge to his rule.

Blatter refused to appear with the three rivals challenging him for the leadership of football’s governing body at UEFA’s annual congress but made his plea in a speech at the start of the meeting.

Europe has led opposition to Blatter’s bid for a fifth term.

But without mentioning the FIFA election on May 29 and controversies that have engulfed his latest term, Blatter said all the heads of continental federations should rally round.

He called on the presidents of the European, Asian, North American and South American confederations, who were at the meeting, to show the “unity and this solidarity which exists as the foundations of football.”

“Together with Europe, we need to build this unity on the inside and on the outside of your respective organisations,” Blatter said.

The 54 European federations are expected to vote en masse against Blatter, but he said: “Europe is the root of the strength that helps all the other associations and five confederations. I would invite you to lead by example today and every other day.”

He added: “Football can only be strong if the governing bodies and structures are strong and united. It is solidarity and unity. This is the message today, it is the message for tomorrow. It is the message for the future, for the good of the game, for the world and for UEFA.”

Blatter’s election opponents — Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, a FIFA vice president, Dutch federation chief Michael van Praag and former Portugal star Figo — were all expected to address UEFA in a special debate late yesterday. — AFP.