South Korea’s Chung Mong-Joon, who revealed last week that he intends to stand for the Fifa presidency, has criticised his rival, Michel Platini, as “a product of the system”.
Chung Mong-Joon, a former FIFA vice-president, is expected to formally launch his campaign in August.
The 63-year-old has called for a non-European to be elected to FIFA’s top post. Only Joao Havelange of the 8 Fifa presidents has not come from Europe.
UEFA president Platini confirmed his intention to run for world football’s top job on Wednesday.
He is clear favourite to replace Sepp Blatter, but Chung believes the Frenchman is tainted by his past associations with the outgoing president.
“Platini is good for football, but whether he can be a good FIFA president, I don’t think so. He is a product of the current FIFA system,” said Chung.
“There are several questions we can have whether Platini can symbolise a new era for FIFA or whether he is simply a protege of Blatter.”
Chung was one of a number of executive committee members who actively campaigned against Blatter’s re-election in 2002, backing African rival Issa Hayatou and accusing the FIFA president of misusing funds.
“President Blatter is like a cannibal eating his parents and then crying he’s an orphan. He tries to blame everybody except himself,” said Chung.
“If I get elected… I’ll try to have more transparency and development. I’ll try to eliminate corruption.”
Candidates have until October 26, exactly four months before the vote, to come forward, so far Platini, Chung and Prince Ali bin al-Hussein are the only three people to declare their intention to run.
They must have the backing of at least five of FIFA’s 209 member nationsto be able to stand.
