FIFA Presidential Elections: Race gets murkier as we enter final week of submitting nominations

FIFA Headquarters in Zurich has been the centre of all attention these days

The roulette that FIFA presidential elections are turning out to be took a new twist today as a meeting in Zurich announced the non-delay of the dates for the voting scheduled in February. While it jeopardises the chances of frontrunners like Sepp Blatter, who has been in power for 17 years and Michel Platini, it does call for newer nominations and with no clear frontrunner, it’s still anybody’s ballgame.

The latest name to join the list of probable successors is David Nakhid. The CONMEBOL icon’s campaign team says the former Trinidad and Tobago captain has submitted his candidacy to Fifa to stand in February’s emergency presidential election two days back.

If reports are to be believed, his campaign strategist Josanne Leonard told AP that “Nakhid’s papers and five nominations have been lodged with Fifa.”

The candidates have until next Monday to submit their candidacies for approval by Fifa’s election committee. The prerequisites include being backed by five federations, and having an active role in football for at least two of the last five years.

They would also need to pass integrity checks; the ones which are considered to be a hindrance in former French great and Ballon d’Or winner Platini from being declared a candidate since he is currently serving an ethics suspension.

Amongst others, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan has also submitted his candidacy paperwork.

Pele vouched for Zico recently during his visit to Delhi

While most top stars seldom talk about their favourites, Brazilian legend and widely touted as the greatest footballer of all time, Pele told SportsKeeda about what he thinks of the position and the murkiness surrounding the game’s administration, “We need to look beyond the troubles. Football is a beautiful game and such petty issues should not disrupt how we see it.”

About the presidential post, he said, “It should be taken up by someone who is eager to work and take up the responsibility.

I hear Zico is keen to take up the post and thats wonderful, he was a great player and I am sure he will make a great administrator too.”