Zico wants September debate with FIFA rivals - source

Former Brazil soccer player Zico speaks during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Reuters

REUTERS: FIFA presidential candidate Zico wants to hold a debate with his rivals in Zurich later this month, a source close to the former Brazilian international told Reuters on Saturday.

Zico made the suggestion in an email to rival candidate Chung Mong-joon and also said the BBC was willing to organise the debate.

He suggested, said the source, that it take place between 23 and 25 September, the same week the executive committee of football’s scandal-hit governing body meet in Zurich.

Chung had previously written to Zico, saying he agreed with the Brazilian’s call made earlier this week, for an early debate among the candidates.

Michel Platini, president of European football’s ruling body UEFA, is considered the frontrunner to win the election to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter on 26 February.

“Dr Chung fully agrees with Mr Zico’s proposal and hopes that Mr Platini and other candidates express their views on holding a public debate,” said the South Korean’s spokesman in a statement sent to Reuters.

Zico has admitted he faces a tough battle to get the written backing of five national FAs required by FIFA’s electoral rules to officially enter the race.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have promised to support him once he has the backing of four other FAs.

The deadline for candidates to register is 26 October and Zico launched his campaign website (www.zicofifa.com) on Friday.

The website announced a 10-point plan that proposed allowing representatives of players, coaches, the media and supporters to vote in future presidential elections.

“The most important thing is to make this election a huge debate about the future of FIFA and football,” it read on the homepage. “We have to open FIFA’s black box.”

World football’s governing body was thrown into turmoil in May when 14 sports marketing executives and football officials, including several from FIFA, were indicted in the United States on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges.