Maradona to bid for FIFA presidency

(ANSA) - Rome, July 30 - 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.