By RYAN TOLMICH

FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne feels May’s elections are essentially a foregone conclusion.

Champagne, who is running against incumbent Sepp Blatter along with Jordanian FIFA vice president Prince Ali and former French international David Ginola, is struggling to gain the nominations required by the Jan. 29 deadline. As a result, Champagne has hit out at the current system, which he implied favors Blatter, as well as the other challengers in the upcoming election.

“The feeling exists that the final result of the election is set and it would be risky to sign them. There is also a fear of being singled out or punished,” Champagne said. “And now individuals without a program declare their interest, and golddiggers openly using FIFA for their own benefit, rather than being of service.

“I have privileged the defense of FIFA at the very moment when so many still hope to weaken it with the objectives of limiting the world governance of the game, or enslaving it for their own interests. I have also refused the demagoguery to blame only one person for all the wrongs in football when the responsibility is obviously collective.

“Finally I have opposed the current simplistic analysis according to which all is wrong in Fifa, by presenting a program to continue what has been done correctly during the last 40 years and to change what needs to be changed.”

Here are some more news and notes to kickoff your Monday morning: HUMMELS UNFAZED BY POTENTIAL LACK OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Borussia Dortmund’s season has been nothing short of a disaster, but the potential implications on the team’s next campaign won’t deter centerback Mats Hummels.

Hummels refused to comment on rumors linking the defender to Manchester United while insisting that next season’s lack of European competition will not force him away from the German club.

“All those rumors are another issue I have never commented about,” Hummels said. “I’ve done that in the past, and I will continue to do so. “(Qualification for Europe is) no longer is a realistic issue… the fight for the Champions League does not exist in my head. Fundamentally, I don’t need to play Champions League to be happy. I don’t [know] whether others see that differently.”

Hummels also said that he believes that there will be no mass exodus from the club following this year’s disappointing campaign.

“Maybe we indeed lose players should we not qualify for Champions League,” Hummels said, “but what I can already tell you is that should we not lose 15 players at once. We’ll still have a super team next season.”

GHANA’S GYAN DIAGNOSED WITH MALARIA AHEAD OF AFCON

Ghana’s African Cup of Nations campaign is set to kickoff Monday, but the team will have to start the proceedings without their club captain.

Asamoah Gyan is set to miss time for the Black Stars after being diagnosed with malaria. Gyan spent Saturday in the hospital to receive treatment, and is said to be “responding well”.

“The illness was detected at an early stage and Gyan is responding well to treatment,”the team said in a statement. “Doctors will continue to monitor his progress ahead of the Black Stars’ opening Group C match against Senegal in Mongomo.”

QUICK KICKS

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is reportedly interested in a move to Inter Milan. (REPORT)

Rangers may be forced to mortgage the Ibrox Stadium in an attempt to stop a takeover from Dave King. (REPORT)

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois could make his return Tuesday against Liverpool after missing three games with an injured thumb. (REPORT) Swansea forward Bafetimbi Gomis says that a move away from the club remains “possible”. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you agree with Champagne’s comments? Do you see Hummels staying with Dortmund for next season? How big of a loss is Gyan to Ghana’s African Cup of Nations hopes?

Share your thoughts below.