FIFA: "Presidents of African federations assured me they would vote for me" (Luis Figo)

"In fact there were federation presidents who assured me they would vote for me but they were reluctant to say this out loud because they feared reactions against them, their federations and even their countries," said Luis Figo, a candidate for the presidency of FIFA, on 07/04/2015.

Luis Figo participated with the status of "observer" at the 37^th annual general meeting of CAF, which was held in Cairo (EGY) on 07/04/2014. Ali Bin Al Hussein (JOR) and Michael van Praag (NED), the other candidates for the presidency of the international body, also participated in the event, with the same status. Joseph Blatter, the president of FIFA, is running for a fifth term as the head of the body he has headed since 08/06/1998, in the elections held at the annual congress of the organisation in Zurich (SUI) on 29/05/2015. He delivered the opening speech of the meeting.

"I am (...) tempted to say to candidate Sepp Blatter that he is preaching to converts. His actions in favour of Africa speak for him. To us, he is still the man of the moment. Dear Sepp, Africa is comfortable having you. Africa…