Zico announces long-shot bid for FIFA Presidency as headquarters raided in Zurich

Former Brazilian international Zico has announced his intention to run for the FIFA Presidency ©Getty Images

Former Brazilian international Zico has announced his intention to become Sepp Blatter’s replacement as President of FIFA.

The 62-year-old adds to the growing list of potential successors to the Swiss, who shocked the footballing world after he said he will step down from a role he has held since 1998 amid ongoing criminal investigations into corruption within the organisation.

Zico, real name Arthur Antunes Coimbra, joins Jordanian FA President Prince Ali, who unsuccessfully stood against Blatter at the turbulent recent FIFA Congress in Zurich, and Frenchman David Ginola as confirmed candidates for the top seat at world football’s governing body.

Others including current UEFA President Michel Platini and Kuwait's Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah have been touted for the role but neither have confirmed their intentions to stand as of yet.

“It's sad for our sport to see what is happening in football today,” Zico told a packed press conference in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

“The corruption and the hard work of many other good people wasted - and I see it as my duty to use my experience and knowledge to try and stand for the presidency.”

Blatter announced his decision to resign at a hastily-arranged press conference last week and his replacement could be named on December 16, the reported date of the Extraordinary Congress, though this hasn’t been confirmed by FIFA.

The 79-year-old Swiss, whose tenure in charge of world football has been plagued with constant allegations of wrongdoing, including bribery and corruption, will continue in his role until a successor is appointed.

FIFA's headquarters have once again been raided by Swiss authorities as part of their ongoing criminal investigation ©Getty Images

The news comes amid the worst crisis FIFA has ever faced and as part of an investigation into both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid processes, controversially awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively, FIFA’s headquarters was once again raided by Swiss authorities.

IT material in the offices in Zurich, including that of Blatter himself, was seized and data belonging to secretary general Jerome Valcke, who is at the centre of the ongoing scandal for alleged involvement in a $10 million (£6.5 million/€9 million) payment to disgraced former CONCACAF President Jack Warner, was also taken.

This payment was allegedly made in exchange for Warner’s support for South Africa’s eventually-successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

Both Valcke and Blatter are said not to have been suspects in the Swiss investigation, although it has been reported that the outgoing FIFA President is a target of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s probe.

It has also been announced that the extraordinary Executive Committee meeting, where the date will be set for the Presidential election, will take place on July 20.