( CNN ) It was meant as a joke , but Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein inadvertently cut to the chase with the perception hanging over world football as it wrestles with the decision as to re-elect FIFA president Sepp Blatter or opt for a new beginning . `` Do we have any football questions ? '' quipped the Jordanian , as he launched his bid to become head of an organization whose reputation has taken a bit battering in recent years . Yes , there was last year 's World Cup , which garnered plenty of plaudits , but invariably when FIFA 's name crops up it 's to do with the rights and wrongs of its decision to award the next two competitions to Russia and Qatar . So as a light dusting of snow slowly melted outside a swanky London hotel , Prince Ali turned up the heat on the current head of world football . `` I think the main point is to have a new culture '' Ali told CNN in an interview after he addressed the media for the first time since announcing his intention to run . `` It 's about not having the game controlled by people 's personal opinions or the whims of the president . It needs to be inclusive for all . '' At the moment a spirit of inclusion is not altogether apparent in FIFA 's corridors of power , with ethics investigator Michael Garcia resigning in December to protest the handling of his own report into Qatar and Russia 's successful bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups . The string of controversies have put FIFA 's internal politics at the front and center of the presidential race . Prince Ali spoke of a `` culture of intimidation '' within FIFA , with some national associations fearing retribution if they back any other candidate other than Blatter , though he did n't provide specific examples . FIFA declined to comment when contacted by CNN over Prince Ali 's `` intimidation '' reference . A vice president of the Asian Football Confederation , Jordan was the only country from that continent to lend its backing to Ali , who relied on England , the United States , Belarus , Georgia and Malta to complete his bid . His campaign is being masterminded by Vero Communications Ltd , a public relations company that also has a wider communications brief working with UEFA , the European confederation within FIFA . `` I 've tried as much as I can to reform it from within ... having seen what 's happened I 'm not going to allow another four years of this , '' Prince Ali said of FIFA 's internal workings . As well as Blatter , Prince Ali is up against former Portugal captain -- and 2001 's FIFA World Player of the Year -- Luis Figo , who says he who was convinced to stand after FIFA 's handling of the Garcia report . Also running is the head of Dutch soccer , Michael van Praag , 67 , who has openly called for Blatter to stand down , taking it upon himself to restore what he sees as a lack of trustworthiness in the organization . If elected , the 39-year-old Prince Ali could become the first Muslim to lead FIFA in its 101-year history . He previously led calls for FIFA to lift its ban on the hijab that was preventing many Muslim women from following their football dreams . `` I 've been a huge supporter of the women 's game -- across the world , '' he said . `` It 's the biggest growth area in football right now . It needs to be taken much more seriously , and I 'm willing and committed to doing so . '' Prince Ali was also keen to stress his commitment to ridding football of any form of prejudice . `` I think that there should be no discrimination in football in any way , shape or form , '' he added . Whilst the Jordanian prince is out and proud about his intentions , this may not be enough to challenge Blatter 's 16-year dynasty . In the meantime Ali had better get used to talking politics , as it seems football is off the agenda .
FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein speaks about organization 's culture of intimidation ' He 's up against Luis Figo , Michael van Praag and current FIFA president Sep Blatter . The Jordanian prince could be the first Muslim to run FIFA in its 101-year history .