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Diego Maradona targets FIFA role and vows to fight 'mafia'

Diego Maradona at Soccerex Asian Forum
Image: Diego Maradona at Soccerex Asian Forum

Diego Maradona says he is on a mission to fight a "mafia" within FIFA.

The Argentina great is a long-time critic of FIFA and told a local radio station earlier this year he was "enjoying" the crisis engulfing world football's governing body.

A journalist associate last month claimed Maradona had told him of his intention to stand for FIFA president at next year's election.

And the 54-year-old declined an opportunity to rule himself out of the running when he spoke to local television channel America on Wednesday.

He said: "I have to fight the mafia that still remains inside FIFA. I have to fight those who have for a long time stolen from inside FIFA."

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Michel Platini has now confirmed he will stand for the Fifa presidency

Asked whether that meant running as a potential successor to Sepp Blatter. he said: "I really want to be in FIFA."

Blatter remains in charge despite resigning the presidency last month, and the Swiss has announced a series of proposed reforms to help clean up FIFA in the wake of this summer's high-profile arrests and corruption allegations.

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Michel Platini - currently UEFA president - has announced he will stand in February's election, and the Frenchman has the backing of the Football Association.

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