By RYAN TOLMICH
A new candidate has entered the race to challenge Sepp Blatter for the role of FIFA president and it is none other than the legendary Luis Figo.
Figo announced his intentions Wednesday, as the former Real Madrid and Barcelona star is hoping to change an organization that he believes is overshadowed by constant scandal.
“I care about football, so what I’m seeing regarding the image of FIFA — not only now but in the past years — I don’t like it,” Figo said. “If you search FIFA on the internet you see the first word that comes out: scandal — not positive words. It’s that we have to change first and try to improve the image of FIFA. Football deserves much better than this.
“I’ve been talking with so many important people in football — players, managers, president of federations — and they all think that something has to be done. Last year was the World Cup, I was in Brazil and I saw the reaction of all the fans regarding the image of FIFA and I think something has to be changed. Change in leadership, governance, transparency and solidarity, so I think it’s the moment for that.”
Figo, who says he has secured the support of the five member nations required to run, will be joined in the race by former player David Ginola, independent candidate Jerome Champagne, Asian Football Confederation vice-president Prince Ali and Dutch FA head Michael van Praag.
Here are some more news and notes to kickoff your Wednesday morning:
RONALDO EARNS TWO-GAME BAN
Cristiano Ronaldo lost his temper in last weekend’s matchup with Cordoba, and now th e Real Madrid star is set to pay the price.
The Ballon D’or has been handed a two-match ban after striking Cordoba’s Edimar in Real’s eventual 2-1 victory. The Portuguese star will be eligible to return for the Feb. 7 Madrid Derby against Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo, who will miss clashes with Real Sociedad and Sevilla, has scored 36 goals in 31 appearances for Real Madrid this season.
MOURINHO FINED BY FA FOR MEDIA COMMENTS
Jose Mourinho has never been one that was afraid to use the media to further his beliefs, but the Chelsea head coach’s posturing has earned him a hefty fine from the FA.
The FA announced Wednesday that Mourinho has been fined $38,000 for comments made following Chelsea’s Dec. 28 matchup with Southampton. Following the matchup, which concluded as a 1-1 draw, Mourinho revealed that he believed in a “campaign” against his side in comments the FA ruled were in breach of media rules.
“Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Jose Mourinho has been fined ($38,000) after he was found to have breached FA Rules in relation to media comments,” the FA said in a statement. “The Chelsea manager denied that comments he made after the game against Southampton on 28 December 2014 constituted improper conduct in that they alleged and/or implied bias on the part of a referee or referees, and/or brought the game into disrepute.”
“The Commission did not, however, find that the comments implied bias on the part of a referee or referees.Mr. Mourinho, who had requested a non-personal hearing, was also warned as to his future conduct.”
REAL MADRID TO RENAME STADIUM ABU DHABI BERNEBEU
Real Madrid are nearing a deal to add a prefix to their famous Santiago Bernebeu stadium.
The club will reportedly rename the stadium the Abu Dhabi Berenebeu after club president Fiorentino Perez was caught on camera admitting to a governmenet official that the stadium will be named by Abu Dhabi investment group IPIC.
The proposed renaming has been approved to allow the club to redevelop the stadium, which opened in 1947.
QUICK KICKS
Barcelona is reportedly considering ending the club’s sponsorship deal with Qatar due to “social issues”. (REPORT)
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas and Felipe Luis are in doubt for the club’s matchup with Manchester City on Saturday. (REPORT
West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison is reportedly set for a medical with Lazio. (REPORT)
Robert Lewandoski says he would advice former teammate Marco Reus to turn down a move to Real Madrid in favor of joining him at Bayern Munich. (REPORT)
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What do you think of Figo’s candidacy? How will Real Madrid cope without Ronaldo? Was the fine to Mourinho fare?
Share your thoughts below.
gross! “Abu Dhabi Berenebeu” is awful. that is such a bummer.
i am shocked–SHOCKED, i say–that the league will allow ronaldo to return in time for the madrid derby. what a fortunate turn of events for real madrid!
Do you see that Don? Do you see that Barca is moving away from Qatari money? (granted it’s just as Real Madrid sells out to UAE – not much better). We’re already connected through Man City, but don’t make it worse!!!! We need to sell Red Bull to someone – make sure it’s the right someone!!!
Who’s next? Gray Davis?
Why do I feel like this whole election is just another dog-and-pony show put on by Sepp himself, in order to give some scarcely believable air of legitimacy to an election that only has one possible outcome.
Until Andrew Shue declares his intentions, the field will never be credible.
It IS just another dog-and-pony show. Blatter has South America, Africa, and Asia locked down hard. No one is touching him in this election, and I’m sure all of the other “candidates” know this.
Figo for president! Let’s hope he campaigns as hard as he played back in the day AND that he doesn’t pull a Platini and sell out.
LOL. If anybody knows how to sell out it’s Figo.
I heard on Soccer Morning that he has ties to a betting site, does anyone know what that’s about?