|
 In a statement pushing his case that he was the right man to lead
change, Chung said he supported the ongoing investigations taking
place into alleged corruption in FIFA, but believed the running of
the sport should not be given to "outsiders".
"The most urgent task at hand is to root out corruption from within
FIFA," he said.
"Justice must be served. Resuscitating FIFA, however, should be left
to those who love football. The future of football should not be
left in the hands of outsiders."
Chung, the 63-year-old billionaire scion of South Korea's Hyundai
industrial conglomerate, formally announced last month that he was
running for the FIFA presidency.
The incumbent, Sepp Blatter, is to stand down in February.
Chung has been heavily critical of Blatter, who has run FIFA for the
past 17 years and recently become the focus of a criminal
investigation.
Blatter has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any
crimes.
But Chung said FIFA was "facing an unprecedented crisis" and could
not continue under the same leadership in the wake of the ongoing
scandal.
"Under such circumstances, FIFA and regional Confederations should
consider convening extra-ordinary sessions of their respective
Executive Committee as well as Congress to set up an emergency task
force that will enable FIFA Secretariat to function without
interruption," he said.
"FIFA should not be an institution that provides for the opulent
life style of a powerful few.
"Rather, it should be transformed into an organisation dedicated to
providing footballers and football fans with the experience of joy
and hope that only football can provide, all the while instilling
the spirit of fair play."
[to top of second column] |
Chung is one of several men who have announced they plan to run for
the FIFA presidency. The others are UEFA President Michel Platini,
Jordan's Prince Ali and Musa Bility, the Liberian Football
Association boss.
Former Brazilian great Zico, former Trinidad and Tobago
international midfielder David Nakhid, Segun Odegbami, a former
Nigerian player have also said they will stand. South African
businessman Tokyo Sexwale and Nigerian businessman Orji Uzor Kalu
are also considering a bid.
If elected, Chung said he would only serve a single four year term,
time enough to reform FIFA, then step aside.
"I will use the first two years to undertake a complete structural
and operational reform of FIFA. The other two years will be devoted
to bringing about unity and harmony to the organization," he said.
"Forty years of culture of corruption can be eradicated in four
years. There is no reason why it cannot be done. In fact, that is
the only way it can be done."
(Reporting by Julian Linden)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
