Zico urges FIFA to change election rules

Rio de Janeiro, Sept 23: Former Brazil great Zico urged world football’s governing body FIFA to change its presidential election rules.

The 62-year-old, who plans to run for FIFA’s top job at an election in February, met with outgoing president Sepp Blatter in Zurich on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

His bid has been stymied by a FIFA rule stipulating that candidates must receive support from at least five tiol federations.

So far, backed only by Brazil, Zico has until October 26 to be endorsed by four other federations.

“It’s absurd,” Zico was quoted saying by Brazilian portal Globoesporte.

“I have been involved in football for 45 years as a player and mager across several continents and I still need formal support from five tiol federations. They each face pressure from their own confederations and as such won’t support me,” he said.

Zico said he has sent letters to several federations, adding Brazil was the only one to respond. (IANS)