FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali has insisted that football's world governing body needs to appoint a new leader, after the latest crisis surrounding Sepp Blatter and the organisation.
Blatter, the current president of FIFA, is currently being investigated by Swiss authorities after alleged payments of £1.3m were paid to UEFA chief Michel Platini, who is claiming that the money was for wages.
Prince Ali now feels that change at the top needs to be imminent and announced earlier this month that he will stand for FIFA presidency.
"The need for new leadership that can restore the credibility of FIFA has never been more apparent," Prince Ali said in a statement.
"We cannot change the past, but we can have a future where FIFA Member Associations are able to focus on football rather than worrying about the next scandal or criminal investigation involving FIFA leadership. We have a duty to use our expertise, our experience, and our knowledge to lift that cloud by taking action to demonstrate that FIFA is worthy of the sport it oversees on behalf of the players, the fans and the millions of young boys and girls who can benefit from it.
"Change, as I have always said, is a process. It is not an event. The process of change at FIFA began in May. We have an opportunity in February to carry that momentum forward. We must now come together and work to restore FIFA's credibility and reputation by bringing about the change that is so clearly needed. I have heard from many member associations over the last 24 hours, and what I have heard gives me confidence that, working together, we can emerge from this stronger."
Secretary-general Jerome Valcke has also been suspended from his duties after allegations of corruption.
Sam McEvoy
