Presidential rival: I’d lose against Blatter

The first candidate to announce he will stand for the Fifa presidency next year has admitted he would struggle to beat Sepp Blatter if he decides to seek a fifth term in office.

Jerome Champagne, a French ex-diplomat who is a former advisor of Blatter’s, refused to say whether he would stand against his old boss and conceded he would probably lose if he did so.

Champagne’s admission prompted speculation over the reasons for announcing his candidacy, but he insisted he is not a stalking horse to deter other potential opponents to 77-year-old Blatter, who has been Fifa president since 1998.

“No I don’t think so, he’s someone of relevance. I don’t know whether Mr Blatter will run or not. Of course as matter of politeness I informed him what I was planning to do.

“I don’t know what he will do. Some people say I am manipulated by him but I tell you no — I stand because I believe in what I saying.”

Champagne, however, said he believed he could beat Michel Platini, the Uefa president who is regarded as the most likely successor to Blatter.

Champagne’s manifesto would be revolutionary on the field at least — he is standing on a platform of quotas to restrict the numbers of foreign players, bringing technology into the game for decisions such as offsides and penalties, as well as introducing the 10-yard rule, to punish dissent, and sin-bins.