Former FIFA VP Chung Mong-joon runs for FIFA Presidency

Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, expressed his intent to run for FIFA presidency.

“I’m preparing for reasons why I have decided to run for the FIFA president and pledges that I will pursue to reform the world’s top football organization after winning the election. This is a preliminary process prior to an official announcement of the intent to run for the presidency. After completing this process, I will make an official announcement. The official announcement to run for FIFA presidency will be made in Europe around the middle of August,” said Chung, in a telephone interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on Tuesday. On the reason to choose Europe as a place for declaration of his candidacy, Chung said, “Europe is still at the center of world football circles. Considering the election result beyond announcement of candidacy, I thought it would be better to announce in Europe.”

Chung became the first one who revealed his intent to run for the presidency among other likely contenders. Others discussed as potential candidates for the FIFA presidency include UEFA President Michel Platini, Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, and Argentina’s soccer hero Diego Maradona, but they have not revealed the intent yet. Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein had resigned before the second round of vote in the previous FIFA President election held in May.

When asked the reason to decide candidacy, Chung said, “Reform measures presented by FIFA gave an impression that the organization was not committed to reform. Many people in the world football arena believe an Asian is hardly likely to be a president of the FIFA. But it is the time to change such a stereotype.” Chung showed confidence when saying, “It may not be easy, but there is possibility to win the FIFA president election.” In an election of the FIFA president where 209 member nations have the right to vote, Asian nations hold 46 votes, 22% of the entire votes (209).

Since its launch in 1904, seven were Europeans out of eight former FIFA presidents. Brazilian Jean Havelange was the only FIFA president who came from a non-European nation. Chung, who had served as the Vice President at FIFA for 17 years, failed to win his 5th term in 2011 and currently holds the position of Honorary VP. Although it is an honorary position, FIFA Honorary VP post is not given away to anybody. Currently, FIFA Honorary VP posts are held by Chung and Lennart Johansson, the former UEFA chairman.

As the current FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced his resignation last month under accusation of corruption and taking bribes, FIFA Executive Committee decided on Jul. 20 to set a presidential election on Feb. 26 next year. Accordingly, candidates who run for the presidency need to complete registration as a candidate until Oct. 26, four months before the election.