Maradona vows to fight FIFA ‘mafia’

Diego Maradona has declared his mission to fight a “mafia” within the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
The Argentina great is a long-time critic of FIFA and told a local radio station earlier this year he was “enjoying” the crisis engulfing world football’s governing body.
A journalist associate last month claimed Maradona had told him of his intention to stand for FIFA presidency at next year’s election.
And the 54-year-old declined an opportunity to rule himself out of the running when he spoke to local television channel America on Wednesday.
He said: “I have to fight the mafia that still remains inside FIFA. I have to fight those who have for a long time stolen from inside FIFA.”
Asked whether that meant running as a potential successor to Sepp Blatter. he said: “I really want to be in FIFA.”
Blatter remains in charge despite resigning the presidency last month, and the Swiss has announced a series of proposed reforms to help clean up FIFA in the wake of this summer’s high-profile arrests and corruption allegations.
Michel Platini – currently UEFA president – has announced he will stand in February’s election, and the Frenchman has the backing of the Football Association.