Prince Ali: FIFA's credibility has to be restored

Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein says football's world governing body must appoint a new leader following the latest crisis surrounding the organisation.

Current president Sepp Blatter - who beat Ali in May's election - has been made the subject of an investigation by Swiss authorities.

Part of the case surrounds an alleged payment of £1.3 million made by the 79-year-old to Uefa chief Michel Platini in 2011, who has since claimed the money was purely for wages.

Prince Ali spoke out about the latest developments on Saturday and claims the majority of the game's member associations are in favour of change at the top of Fifa.

"The need for new leadership that can restore the credibility of Fifa has never been more apparent," he 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 to accept that changing Fifa is not a matter of choice; it has already changed, shaken to its very core by the scandals that have decimated our governing body and cast a cloud over the entire organisation.

"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."