FFA backs Prince Ali in FIFA vote

FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein can count on the backing of Football Federation Australia (FFA), after the national governing body announced it will vote for the Jordanian on Friday.

World football’s governing body is facing arguably the biggest day in its history, with Prince Ali, Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale vying to replace Sepp Blatter, who is serving a six-year suspension following a “disloyal payment” made to Michel Platini in 2011.

And Prince Ali has the support of the FFA, who voted for him at last year’s election when he lost to Blatter and confirmed they will do the same again in Zurich.

“The Board of FFA has considered the credentials and manifestos of each candidate and has met again by teleconference to reach a final decision,” FFA chairman Steven Lowry said in a statement.

“Under all the circumstances FFA believes there is merit in continuing to support Prince Ali on this occasion.

“Prince Ali is a long-standing and consistent advocate for reform at FIFA and his manifesto spells out a clear vision of the way forward.”

Lowy said Prince Ali’s plans for reform on the length of presidential terms and gender equality were of particular importance to the FFA.

“Australia strongly supports the reform package and will vote in favour of each proposal,” he said.

“In addition to reforms on term limits and better governance, we are especially proud to support the reforms on gender equality.

“FFA Board member Moya Dodd has been a leading advocate for gender equality and she has played a pivotal role in getting this issue on the FIFA agenda.

“It is critical that the reforms are implemented with conviction and that they signal a new beginning for FIFA.”