Maradona to Run for FIFA President

Jun 24, 2015 - by Dani

Diego Armando Maradona aims to be the next FIFA president

Victor Hugo Morales, a Uruguayan writer, who is a close friend of Diego Maradona, revealed that the Argentinian footballing genius told him that he will run for the FIFA presidency in the next election. Sepp Blatter, who has been leading international football’s governing body since 1998, announced his resignation earlier this month after the FIFA corruption scandal escalated. The FBI and the Swiss authorities are also investigating the organization and several former leaders were arrested in connection of the bribe cases. Maradona, a regular critic of Blatter and his regime, stated recently that he was pretty much enjoying the ongoing FIFA scandal.

The Guardian: Diego Maradona to stand as candidate for Fifa presidency, say reports

After the FIFA scandal escalated to an extent where even Sepp Blatter had to resign, Diego Maradona, who is known for criticizing international football’s governing body for long, decided to run for the presidency in the next election, online gambling news report.

Maradona told Uruguayan journalist Victor Hugo Morales, who is famous for his commentary of Maradona’s goal against England from 1986, that he was a candidate for the presidency. Maradona also authorized Morales to let the press know about his intentions. Followers of sports scores might recall that Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela recommended the nomination of the 54-year-old former Argentina captain earlier in June.

This is not the first time that a previous world class player from South America applied for the presidency of the FIFA, as the late Zico from Brazil also pursued an interest to lead international football. However he failed to gain support from five national federations, which is a must if someone wants to run for the presidency.

Telegraph.co.uk: Diego Maradona ‘ready to stand for Fifa president’

Diego Maradona reportedly plans to replace Sepp Blatter as the president of the FIFA. Victor Hugo Morales, a journalist from Uruguay, stated that the previous world class player told him about his intentions on Sunday. Morales initially called the former Argentina captain to check on his sick father’s condition, online mobile news report.

“He told me he was going to run for president of Fifa and authorised me to inform,” Morales posted on his social media account. He also added, “I am a candidate’ were the two words Diego Maradona used to answer me when I consulted him about the nomination for the presidency of Fifa.”

FIFA corruption investigations forced Blatter to resign. (Photo: The Telegraph)

Maradona and Morales hosted a TV show together presenting the 2014 World Cup for a Venezuelan channel last year. Maradona had been criticizing Sepp Blatter long before the FIFA corruption scandal erupted, and he expressed that he was enjoying the torture of the leaders of international football’s governing body.

sports.yahoo.com: Maradona’s road to FIFA presidency filled with obstacles

Diego Maradona reportedly revealed that he intended to run for the presidency of the FIFA, somehow stunning many followers of live sports results. To become an actual candidate, he needs to be nominated by at least five national associations and to pass an integrity check.

Victor Hugo Morales, a close friend of Maradona stated that the former Argentina captain informed him about his plan to run for the presidency. After Sepp Blatter spoke about his resignation, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro named Maradona as the ideal person to replace the Swiss sports leader.

Can Maradona get enough support to become the new FIFA president? (Photo: Yahoo)

It would be a surprise however if several members of the FIFA opted to back such a controversial person to represent international football just after a scandalous period ended. Maradona probably couldn’t even manage to get the support of his native country as his relationship with the Argentinian federation wasn’t very good recently.

However, Cuba and Venezuela seems to be countries where he is welcomed by leading politicians, though it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will automatically get the nod from their respective national associations.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE SPORTSBOOK Accepts US Players!