Zico confirms candidacy for FIFA's top post
- hace 9 años
Rio de Janeiro, Jun 11 (EFE).- Former Brazilian soccer player Artur Antunes Coimbra 'Zico' Wednesday confirmed his intention of standing for the presidency of FIFA currently in the midst of a corruption scandal.
However, he said there would need to be some changes in FIFA rules to increase his chances of being elected.
"Of course, changes in the rules of the game would be necessary. Mainly because, with the rules in place now there isn't the slightest possibility (of being elected)," said Zico who hopes to succeed Joseph Blatter who stepped down last Tuesday barely four days after he was re-elected.
"I am 62 years old and I only remember two presidents of FIFA, Joao Havelange and Blatter," he said. "Only these two people in the world to rule over football? This is unacceptable," he lamented.
Zico, who also served as Brazil's sports minister between 1990-1992, said that experience served to prepare him for the post.
Responding to Blatter's possible involvement in the corruption scandal, Zico said that it was rare for the person in charge not to be involved in what was going on underneath, adding that many things would come to light during the investigation being conducted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Zico admitted that the delicate situation facing the Brazilian Football Confederation, CBF, which recently saw its former president, Jose Maria Marin, being arrested for his involvement in the FIFA corruption scandal, could affect his candidacy.
The Brazilian legend said he respected current CBF President Marco Polo del Nero's decision not to resign but that it seemed difficult to believe he wasn't in the knowhow of what was happening, given that Marin and he were always together.
Questioned about the possibility of standing up against friend and current president of Union of European Football Associations, Michel Platin, in the FIFA elections, Zico said that everything was possible.
He explained that Platini was very disillusioned by the plight of FIFA and praised the work done by the Frenchman as UEFA chief who he said was a great example.
Speaking about Maradona who is seeking to become FIFA's vice-president, Zico said he would like to see someone like him in the meetings in the footbal world.
Keywords: efe,brazil,fifa,zico,president
However, he said there would need to be some changes in FIFA rules to increase his chances of being elected.
"Of course, changes in the rules of the game would be necessary. Mainly because, with the rules in place now there isn't the slightest possibility (of being elected)," said Zico who hopes to succeed Joseph Blatter who stepped down last Tuesday barely four days after he was re-elected.
"I am 62 years old and I only remember two presidents of FIFA, Joao Havelange and Blatter," he said. "Only these two people in the world to rule over football? This is unacceptable," he lamented.
Zico, who also served as Brazil's sports minister between 1990-1992, said that experience served to prepare him for the post.
Responding to Blatter's possible involvement in the corruption scandal, Zico said that it was rare for the person in charge not to be involved in what was going on underneath, adding that many things would come to light during the investigation being conducted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Zico admitted that the delicate situation facing the Brazilian Football Confederation, CBF, which recently saw its former president, Jose Maria Marin, being arrested for his involvement in the FIFA corruption scandal, could affect his candidacy.
The Brazilian legend said he respected current CBF President Marco Polo del Nero's decision not to resign but that it seemed difficult to believe he wasn't in the knowhow of what was happening, given that Marin and he were always together.
Questioned about the possibility of standing up against friend and current president of Union of European Football Associations, Michel Platin, in the FIFA elections, Zico said that everything was possible.
He explained that Platini was very disillusioned by the plight of FIFA and praised the work done by the Frenchman as UEFA chief who he said was a great example.
Speaking about Maradona who is seeking to become FIFA's vice-president, Zico said he would like to see someone like him in the meetings in the footbal world.
Keywords: efe,brazil,fifa,zico,president