Champagne enters FIFA race

Geneva - Jerome Champagne says he has filed papers to enter the FIFA presidential election.

Champagne, the former FIFA international relations director, said on Friday: "I sent my application letter and eight nomination letters to FIFA on Monday night."

The French former diplomat's manifesto plans to modernize how FIFA is run, cut European places at FIFA and the World Cup, plus trial use of video review to help referees.

Champagne did not get nominated for the previous election, won in May by his ally Sepp Blatter.

He now joins Michel Platini, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and David Nakhid in meeting Monday's deadline to enter the Feb. 26 poll. More contenders are expected.

Platini, who helped force Champagne's FIFA exit in 2010, is unlikely to be accepted as a candidate.