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James Porteous

How can Fifa possibly be redeemed? Surely we should scrap it and start again?
Fifa doesn’t need to start again. Yes, Fifa’s crisis is unprecedented in modern sport but this is a crisis of leadership. A lot of good things have happened at Fifa over the years. The problem is these positives have been lost in a cloud of negativity and scandal.
We have to revisit our priorities, provide more transparency and build a federation that is fit for the 21st century and serves football, and not the other way around.
For this to happen we need to change the culture at the top. We [need] responsible leadership which sets the example to follow.
We have to revisit our priorities, provide more transparency and build a federation that is fit for the 21st century and serves football, and not the other way around
Prince Ali
Having lost the Fifa presidential election in 2015, why would you succeed now?
In the last election we had a third of the vote and therefore could have taken it to another round, but I made a conscious decision not to. This decision was taken to protect the national associations who had been brave enough to show their support for me in the first round.
My motivations for running again are the same now as before – I love football, and football deserves to be governed by an organisation that is worthy of the world’s game. That is the only reason why I am fighting for the presidency. From spending time meeting national associations and listening to what they need I believe there is significant sentiment for positive change – change that I can bring by working hand-in-hand with associations.

President Xi Jinping has declared that China must become a soccer superpower. How could you help the country achieve those goals?
My experience is that Chinese fans love the sport and want to see their nation succeed. Therefore, these fans need a Fifa that helps harness this passion.
The large clubs in Europe have recognised the power of Chinese football fans. They know the importance of building a Chinese fanbase, not only for their purchasing power, but because of the love for the game and the passion for seeing football of the highest standard. China deserves a Fifa that will help it build a league that will attract the top players in their prime, to their own clubs as well as having a league that can compete at the highest level. Chinese football is moving in the right direction and will no doubt one day host a World Cup.
President Xi Jinping has led in rooting out corruption in football. He has become a champion for the cause. His role is an example because it elevates the sport
Helping to encourage, coach and recognise young talent is very important, as is the education of these young players – through football – about different cultures and nationalities. China has started recognising the importance of this, with initiatives such as the Grassroots Football project, yet I believe there needs to be more done by the clubs. Fifa can help, and should have done more already.
President Xi Jinping has led in rooting out corruption in football. He has become a champion for the cause. His role is an example because it elevates the sport. Fifa must follow president [Xi]’s lead to ensure that the authorities always take action against those responsible.

Given the controversy over 2018 and 2022 re human rights abuses etc, would you want more bad headlines along the same lines if the 2026 World Cup went to China as some predict?
With correct procedures, proper due diligence and a transparent bidding process there would be no bad headlines. China has hosted a successful Olympics and would make a worthy and successful World Cup host too.
What would a China World Cup mean for the global game?
Every country should have the opportunity to host the World Cup. It would also be a great boost for the game itself and open the world’s eyes to different cultures through football. Football has an unmatchable ability to create opportunities and bring different communities together. The potential good a country with the size, reach and power of China could do for the game is unimaginable.
China is incredibly important to world football. From audience figures and marketability, to investment in coaching and training methods, China has and will continue to have an important role with world football
How important is China to world football?
China is incredibly important to world football. From audience figures and marketability, to investment in coaching and training methods, China has and will continue to have an important role with world football. China has already been active, and I support what it has done so far. The international network many clubs have built with larger European clubs has been effective, with this sharing of information something I would love to see around the world. Further to this, we have begun to see the talent of China abroad as well. Sun Jihai’s stint in the Premier League is perhaps the most well-known, but there needs, and I believe there will be, more Chinese players given the opportunity to play overseas.
The perception is that you have lost the support of Asia. How can you win that back?
Perceptions are often not reality. I am a global candidate with global support. In fact the majority of my nominations were from Asia. I am Asian and am looking for support from Asia and China in particular.

The AFC has not exactly been a model of transparency and corruption-free governance. So why should we expect Fifa to be so under your leadership?
Change. A change in the way business is done, how responsibility is shared, but most importantly, in how we work. I promise to lead an open Fifa, a fair Fifa, one that doesn’t operate in grey areas.
I have already showed my hand in this respect. I was one of the first to call for the Garcia Report to be released, and I stand by that. If elected, I will immediately take steps to publish the minutes of Executive Committee meetings, making sure they are accurate, and institute proper disclosure of financial information, including the President’s salary. All the while, I will be listening. Listening to the needs, the requirements and the issues facing the national associations and working with them for the good of the game.


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Fifa

Q&A: Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein on his plans to save football

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 file photo FIFA vice president Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein speaks during an interview with The Associated Press after his FIFA presidency campaign launch press conference in London. Prince Ali bin al-Hussein warned Tuesday Jan. 5, 2016 that FIFA risks catastrophe unless he is elected president next month and entrusted with cleaning up an organization reeling from corruption charges. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - In this May 29, 2015 file photo FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter, right, walks past Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, left, and UEFA President Michel Platini, center, during the 65th FIFA Congress held at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been banned for 8 years, the FIFA ethics committee said Monday, Dec. 21, 2015. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP, file)

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and China's President Xi Jinping (L) view the Jules Rimet trophy during a visit to the City Football Academy in Manchester, Britain October 23, 2015. REUTERS/Joe Giddens/pool

FILE - In this May 2, 2013 file photo, Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain speaks during an AFC conference in Kuala Lumpur. Seven men are in the running to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, with Michel Platini's candidature accepted but pending because of his suspension from soccer. FIFA published the list of valid applications "proposed in due time and form" on Wednesday Oct. 28, 2015. It did not include former Trinidad and Tobago player David Nakhid, who did not have the five required nominations. he seven candidates for the Feb. 26 election are: Platini, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale, Musa Bility, Jerome Champagne and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, FILE)

Prince Ali al-Hussein is one of the candidates least tainted by corruption – but is probably still unlikely to win the vote. Photo: AP

"China to be become a serious football power" says Fifa presidential candidate Sheikh Salman 

The head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA presidential candidate, Bahraini Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa answers AFP journalists' questions during an interview on January 31, 2016 in the Qatari capital Doha. FIFA presidential frontrunner Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa told AFP that only he or Europe's Gianni Infantino can win the race to become FIFA's next president. / AFP / KARIM JAAFAR

The head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA presidential candidate, Bahraini Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa poses during an interview with AFP journalists on January 31, 2016 in the Qatari capital Doha. FIFA presidential frontrunner Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa told AFP that only he or Europe's Gianni Infantino can win the race to become FIFA's next president. / AFP / KARIM JAAFAR

The head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA presidential candidate, Bahraini Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa is seen on a control screen during an interview with AFP journalists on January 31, 2016 in the Qatari capital Doha. FIFA presidential frontrunner Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa told AFP that only he or Europe's Gianni Infantino can win the race to become FIFA's next president. / AFP / Karim JAAFAR

(FILES) This combination of file photos made on November 12, 2015 shows (from top L) UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne, FIFA vice president for Asia Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan and chairman of the FIFA monitoring committee for Israel and Palestine Tokyo Sexwale. FIFA on January 26, 2016 confirmed the final five candidates to take over from the banned Sepp Blatter as head of the world body one month from the vote. FIFA's electoral committee said that Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne had all been admitted for the final campaigning. / AFP / -

Bahraini Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa is seen by many as the frontrunner to become Fifa president. Photo: AFP

Q&A: Fifa presidential candidate Gianni Infantino

epa05118837 UEFA General Secretary and FIFA president candidate Gianni Infantino speaks during a press conference at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, 22 January 2016. The UEFA Executive Committee endorses unanimously Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. EPA/CYRIL ZINGARO

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino arrives at the South American Football confederation CONMEBOL for a meeting with officials in Luque, Paraguay, January 26, 2016. CONMEBOL is electing a new president on Tuesday. REUTERS/Mario Valdez

UEFA's Secretary General Gianni Infantino, speaks during a press conference on January 26, 2016 in Luque, Paraguay. The five candidates to take over the FIFA presidency from the banned Sepp Blatter stepped up the frantic hunt for votes Tuesday as the campaign entered the final month. AFP PHOTO / NORBERTO DUARTE

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland last week. Photo: EPA

Q&A: Fifa presidential candidate Jerome Champagne outlines his vision for football’s future

FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne of France speaks during a Reuters interview in Witikon, near Zurich, Switzerland October 30, 2015. Champagne, one of seven candidates for the February election, wants soccer's crisis-hit government body to be less formal and more humble in the future. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

epa04032863 Jerome Champagne speaks during a news conference in a hotel in Central London, Britain 20 January 2014. Champagne, a former right-hand man to current FIFA President Joseph Blatter, announced in London his intention to run for the presidency at the ruling football body in 2015. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Jerome Champagne attends the New FIFA Now summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in this January 21, 2015 file photo. World soccer body FIFA on Wednesday named the seven confirmed candidates vying for the FIFA presidency at a February 26 election. In a statement, Zurich-based FIFA said the candidates proposed were: Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Musa Hassan Bility, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Michel Platini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Fifa presidential candidate Jerome Champagne. Photo: Reuters

Fifa’s presidential candidates weigh in on China’s attempts to become a football power and host the World Cup 

Presidential candidates (clockwise) Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman, Jerome Champagne and Prince Ali

No Caption Available.

epa05154113 HRH Prince Ali Al Hussein, FIFA presidential candidate, holds a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, 11 February 2016. The FIFA Presidential Election is set to take place 26 February 2016. EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI

FILE - In this April 30, 2015 file photo, Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman leaves the AFC Congress in Manama, Bahrain. The Sepp Blatter era at FIFA is set to finally end Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, when soccer’s scandal-scarred world body picks a new president after nine months of crisis. Two front-runners have emerged in a five-candidate contest: Asia’s soccer leader, Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, and Gianni Infantino, the Swiss general secretary of European governing body UEFA. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File)

FILE- In this January 27, 2016 file photo, FIFA Presidential candidate Jerome Champagne attends a mini-forum on the future of FIFA at the EU parliament in Brussels. 5 FIFA presidential candidates meet in Miami on Friday Feb. 12, 2016 with the election’s hardest-to-read voters who are deep in their own leadership race amid a financial crisis. The 35 FIFA voting federations from North and Central America and the Caribbean could be decisive in the Feb. 26 election. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2016 file photo, UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino arrives on the red carpet prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland. The Sepp Blatter era at FIFA is set to finally end Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, when soccer’s scandal-scarred world body picks a new president after nine months of crisis. Two front-runners have emerged in a five-candidate contest: Asia’s soccer leader, Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, and Gianni Infantino, the Swiss general secretary of European governing body UEFA. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP, File)

Sport

Football

Prince Ali al-Hussein, of Jordan, is among five candidates vying to become president of embattled football world governing body Fifa. He gave the Post an insight into his plans for the game – and China in particular


Fifa presidential race 2016

Fifa corruption scandal