Luis Figo enters FIFA presidential race against Blatter

Source: AP | January 28, 2015, Wednesday |

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Luis Figo says he wants to become FIFA president and has the nominations needed to be an official candidate against Sepp Blatter.

The former Portugal, Barcelona and Real Madrid playmaker announced his campaign in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

The deadline for would-be candidates to file nominations from five of FIFA's 209 member federations is 2300 GMT Thursday.

Figo launched his campaign one hour before Netherlands federation president Michael van Praag held a news conference in Amsterdam to launch his bid.

Van Praag also says he has five nominees but, like Figo, has not identified them.

Their rival campaigns suggests splits within UEFA which is the only confederation officially opposing Blatter.

FIFA President Blatter will seek a fifth presidential term in the May 29 ballot.

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