Saints manager Ronald Koeman has welcomed Luis Figo’s bid to become president of FIFA.
Former Portugal international and world footballer of the year Figo announced today he will stand against Sepp Blatter for the position.
Koeman retweeted the 42-year-old’s announcement on Twitter, before posting a message to him saying “well done” and adding in images of clapping hands and a thumbs up.
Well done!👏👍 @LuisFigo
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) January 28, 2015
Figo said in an interview with CNN today: “I care about football so what I'm seeing regarding the image of FIFA - not only now but in the past years - I don't like it.
“If you search FIFA on the internet you see the first word that comes out: scandal, not positive words. It's that we have to change first and try to improve the image of FIFA. Football deserves much better than this.
“I've been talking with so many important people in football - players, managers, president of federations - and they all think that something has to be done.
“Last year was the World Cup, I was in Brazil and I saw the reaction of all the fans regarding the image of FIFA and I think something has to be changed. Change in leadership, governance, transparency and solidarity, so I think it's the moment for that.”
There should now be at least four candidates in the contest after nominations close on Friday.
As well as Blatter and Figo, Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag are also standing.
I'm delighted to announce my candidacy for the FIFA Presidency. Football has given me so much during my life & I want to give something back
— Luís Figo (@LuisFigo) January 28, 2015
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