Argentine football legend Diego
Maradona on Thursday confirmed his intention to run for
presidency of international football's governing body FIFA,
saying he wanted to "clean up" the beautiful game.
"I must combat the mafia that remains inside FIFA, and
fight against those who have stolen for so long," Maradona said
in an interview with TV America.
The elective Congress will be held in February 2016 with
other candidates already announced including French former
football star Michel Platini, current president of the European
football association UEFA; Brazilian legend Zico; and Musa
Bility, president of the Liberian Soccer Federation.
The successful candidate will replace Switzerland's Sepp
Blatter who came under fire after the United States government
indicted several current and former FIFA officials and sports
marketing companies for bribery and money laundering.
Blatter himself is not under investigation.
Maradona, the former Napoli idol and Argentina captain,
said many players are supporting him in his FIFA bid.
"We want to fight against the football mafia and combat
certain thieves in white gloves," he said.
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