Suspended FIFA president Sepp Joseph Blatter has openly declared his
support for former Abia state Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to occupy the
exalted position of FIFA President, even as he has faulted the
candidature of former Secretary General Jerome Champagne and Prince Alli
of Jordan.
Speaking in Zurich, Blatter said ” The position of
the FIFA president is too important to be left to just anybody. I have
heard of some candidates who want to take over from me. But I find the
Businessman from Nigeria Kalu very qualified and interesting because he
is not only a businessman, but a politician with lots of contacts and
corporate experience. He can bring his great experiences to bear in the
running of world football.
He is passionate about the game. I
remember how he sponsored one of Nigerian clubs to win the CAF
championship twice. He is a man that can take world football to the next
level”, Blatter told the Swiss Radio monitored on Sunday.
Blatter
said though Kalu had not formally declared his interest, it was in the
best interest of Africa to nominate him because of his deep passion for
the game. “If Africa hopes to win the support of other federations, then
they must queue behind the Nigerian business man. Football has
developed beyond just anybody taking over.
I sacked Jerome
Champgne in 2010 so how can he come back to lead an Association he tried
to destroy. You need a man who can command respect and win friends for
football.
With Kalu Africa stands a better chance, he concluded.
CAF is expected to meet next week to decide on a candidate for the
election scheduled for next year. Orji Kalu and Segun Odegbami are the
two candidates vying for the post from Africa,
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