by Mark Bassey

Former Portugal winger Luis Figo, will contest against Sepp Blatter, Michael van Praag and Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein for FIFA presidency on May 29.

The 42-year-old today officially launched his candidacy for the top job in world football and here are the three things we got from his speech.

48-team World Cup

Figo has called for the World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams from its current 32-team structure.

“I believe we should consider proposals to expand the World Cup from its current 32-team structure to a 40 or even 48-team competition.

“Both these options are feasible with an extra three to four days of tournament play. If this expansion were to take place, I believe that additional teams should come from non-European nations.”
Redistribution of FIFA reserves to national associations

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid man wants to fund grassroots football around the world, by distributing 50% of FIFA’s $2.5billion revenue appropriately.

“Fifa belongs to its member associations and it is only natural that Fifa’s revenues and reserves are distributed back to them directly,” Figo explained.

“The impact of my proposals would mean between $8-10m being distributed to each member association across a four-year period.”
Self-sponsored

He also made it clear he is doing all this for the love of the game.

Figo said: “It is time for me to give back to the world of football everything it gave to me.

“I don’t have the financial backing of any organisation. I can do this out of my own career [earnings].

“I have enough financially to pay for my own travels.”