Sepp Blatter turns down TV debates

2 minute read
Updated 3:19 PM EDT, Thu March 19, 2015
Luis Figo, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star, has announced his intention to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Luis Figo, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star, has announced his intention to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.
KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images/file
Figo is the second former player to declare his intention to stand after former PSG and Tottenham player David Ginola entered the race last week.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Figo is the second former player to declare his intention to stand after former PSG and Tottenham player David Ginola entered the race last week.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images/file
Figo began his career at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona. There he won seven trophies, including back-to-back La Liga titles in 1998 and 1999, and was adored by the club's fans.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Figo began his career at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona. There he won seven trophies, including back-to-back La Liga titles in 1998 and 1999, and was adored by the club's fans.
So when it was announced he was leaving to join Barca's biggest rival, Real Madrid, it was seen as not just a betrayal of the club but the whole region. Figo became public enemy number one in Catalonia.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
So when it was announced he was leaving to join Barca's biggest rival, Real Madrid, it was seen as not just a betrayal of the club but the whole region. Figo became public enemy number one in Catalonia.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/file
Figo's return to Barcelona's Camp Nou with his new team was unforgettable. He was roundly booed and, on a later visit, had bottles, coins and even a pig's head thrown at him from the stands. He won another seven trophies with Real, including the European Champions League in 2002.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Figo's return to Barcelona's Camp Nou with his new team was unforgettable. He was roundly booed and, on a later visit, had bottles, coins and even a pig's head thrown at him from the stands. He won another seven trophies with Real, including the European Champions League in 2002.
In 2005, Figo moved to Italy to join Inter Milan, winning four successive Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups before retiring in 2009.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
In 2005, Figo moved to Italy to join Inter Milan, winning four successive Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups before retiring in 2009.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images/file
The 42-year-old is Portugal's most capped player with 127 appearances to his name. His career with the national team might best be remembered for the near miss he had in Euro 2004 as Portugal, who were hosts, lost to minnows Greece in the final.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
The 42-year-old is Portugal's most capped player with 127 appearances to his name. His career with the national team might best be remembered for the near miss he had in Euro 2004 as Portugal, who were hosts, lost to minnows Greece in the final.
Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Figo called time on his Portugal career at the end of the 2006 World Cup, his last appearance coming in a third place playoff defeat to Germany after it had lost to France in the semifinal.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Figo called time on his Portugal career at the end of the 2006 World Cup, his last appearance coming in a third place playoff defeat to Germany after it had lost to France in the semifinal.
PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
Figo's work for the Portugal national team, and with Inter Milan, qualifies him to run for the presidency, and he revealed to CNN he has backing from five FIFA member associations -- another prerequisite.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Figo's work for the Portugal national team, and with Inter Milan, qualifies him to run for the presidency, and he revealed to CNN he has backing from five FIFA member associations -- another prerequisite.
Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Figo still dons his boots every now and then, playing in charity matches for Real Madrid in recent years.
Luis Figo: FIFA president? —
Figo still dons his boots every now and then, playing in charity matches for Real Madrid in recent years.
Clive Mason/Getty Images/file
Luis Figo: FIFA president?
CNN  — 

Sepp Blatter has turned down the chance to face his presidential challengers in a live televised debate ahead of the FIFA election on May 29.

The 79-year-old, who is seeking a fifth term in charge of world football’s governing body, was invited to take part in the debate by the BBC and Sky but decided against the idea.

Luis Figo, the former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Portugal star, Jordanian royal Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein and Dutchman Michael van Praag , the other candidates, have all endorsed the debate.

Prince Ali said he was disappointed with Blatter’s decision and saw it as a missed opportunity.

“I believe that this election campaign is an opportunity for an open and mature debate about the future direction of FIFA and all four candidates have a responsibility to football to engage in this debate,” he said.

intv amanpour Prince Ali bin Al Hussein_00060822.jpg
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Jordanian Prince makes his case for unseating Blatter
06:09 - Source: CNN

“The broadcasters initiative is a good one and should be supported.”

Figo also echoed those sentiments, adding: “I think it is a pity. We owe it to the fans of football to hold this debate with all four candidates.

“It would have been good for all FIFA Member Associations and for the fans of football to hold this debate with all four candidates, but I will nevertheless continue to promote my ideas, which are in favor of reform, transparency and, first and foremost, for football.

“I respect and all candidates and their proposals and their freedom to decide even if I do not agree with some of them.”

Blatter, who was elected in 1998, is expected to attend the UEFA congress in Vienna next week, where he will speak to the European Football Associations in his role as president of FIFA.

His presidential opponents are also expected to speak but there are no plans to have a debate.

Blatter has yet to launch any kind of program, manifesto nor appoint any staff to his campaign.

The world governing body’s general secretary Jerome Valcke has reportedly reminded “all FIFA staff members that they, consultants or any other persons appointed by or working for FIFA are not permitted to take part in any way in these election campaigns”.