Prince Ali announces new FIFA presidency bid

If at first you don't succeed ...

Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, who challenged Sepp Blatter for FIFA's presidency in May, has launched a second bid for world football's top job.

Still a FIFA vice-president, and head of Jordan's football association, the 39-year-old confirmed his candidacy in the country's capital Amman in front of supporters on Wednesday.

"It is only through new leadership that FIFA can change," Ali said. "I do not believe FIFA can give the sport back to the people of the world without new leadership -- untainted by the practices of the past.

"I am a humble man. I do not seek this position for gain. I believe in a cause. I have seen with my own eyes how Jordanians have overcome some of the greatest adversity to play the sport, and through it find an identity, a living and a future. Above all they found dignity.

"I have seen this in all walks of life in all corners of the world. For men and women, players and referees, administrators and fans (football) is hope, it is unity. It is a powerful tool to make the world a better place."

Ali was the sole challenger to Blatter in the May 29 presidential election, but conceded defeat after receiving 73 votes to the Swiss' 133 in the first round of voting.

Blatter has been in charge of FIFA since 1998 but decided to stand down on June 2 as the game's world governing body battled two corruption scandals.

Ali will likely face several challengers this time around at the election, scheduled to take place on February 26, 2016.

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UEFA president Michel Platini announced his intention to stand at the end of July and has received the vocal backing of the English and Scottish Football Associations, although he has yet to reveal a manifesto.

The Frenchman, who has headed European football's governing body since 2007, was followed in August by former FIFA executive Chung Mong-joon, a billionaire businessman from South Korea.

Two African candidates have also publicly stated their interest in standing. Liberian FA president Musa Bility and former Nigeria national team captain Segun Odegbami both hope to succeed the outgoing Blatter and become their continent's first FIFA president.

Platini 'not the right man'
Ali told CNN Arabic last month that Platini wasn't the right man to take FIFA forward.

"I personally respect Platini as a player and a president of the European Football Union; and we met and I listened to his opinion," the prince said.

"But at the end of the day, the matter at hand is not personal. I do not think Platini is the right man for the new phase because this stage needs young blood, and minds which can understand the international needs -- not just the European ones."

UEFA refused to officially comment on Ali's opinion about Platini, but a source close to the 60-year-old said he was "deeply disappointed" with Prince Ali's stance.

"After all the support that Mr. Platini and UEFA gave Ali during his campaign, he does not understand this attitude from a man he used to consider a friend," the source added.

FIFA was plunged into crisis in late May when seven officials were charged for racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering by the FBI.

The charges are part of a U.S. prosecution that indicted a total of 14 people from around the globe.

Meanwhile, a separate probe by Swiss authorities is investigating potential corruption into the bidding process for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.