SPORTS
Pele backs Zico for FIFA president
Baku, October 17, AZERTAC
The FIFA was plunged into a crisis earlier this year due to allegations of widespread corruption, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives of the world football governing body, according to Times of India. As a result, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini were suspended by the FIFA's ethics committee.
Pele, who was visiting the capital for the first time, is saddened by the corruption scandals which have hit the game in recent times and feels that Zico being a former player who loves and understands the game is the best candidate to clean up the current mess.
"I want someone honest, who respects the game to be the FIFA president. I know of Zico's wish to run for president. He has the courage, I think he is one of the best candidates to be the president of FIFA," the 74-year-old told the media here.
"I told him 'you are strong, you have the courage. You will be a good president.' I think he will be a wonderful president because he has strived to develop football in several countries. He has worked for a long time in Japan and helped transform it to one of the strongest countries in Asia," Pele added. "Zico is one of the best candidates, no doubt."