Champagne ready for the fight

Berlin - Frenchman Jerome Champagne said on Wednesday he will fight until the end to secure the support of five member federations in his bid to run for the presidency of the ruling body FIFA.

"I am close to the five supporters but not quite close enough. I will fight until the end," the former FIFA executive Champagne told dpa in a telephone interview.

Presidential candidates have a Thursday midnight deadline to provide the mandatory support of five member federations.

Dutchman Michael van der Prag on Monday was the latest man to announce his intention to bid for the FIFA top job. Other candidates are Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and former French international David Ginola.

They aim to challenge Joseph Blatter who is seeking a fifth term as president at elections at the FIFA Congress on May 29 in Zurich.

Presidential candidates will be officially announced by FIFA at a later stage after they have undergone a review by an electoral committee.