Unleash Football: Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein is the people’s choice

The vote held by Unleash Football, which allowed any visitor to cast their choice for next FIFA president, ended at 5pm GMT yesterday. Of the five candidates the people’s choice was Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein.

Football fans in over 80 countries voted, and now the world will wait to see the outcome of today’s congress and who will actually be appointed as Sepp Blatter’s successor. Prince Ali had called for the vote to be postponed after his request for transparent voting booths was denied, and led to bookmakers offering markets on it not going ahead as planned. This request was not granted, and the congress will meet in Zurich today.

Unleash Football asked each of the candidates three questions based on their views and objectives around promoting gender equality, rethinking finances and connecting communities. 

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein stated that if elected he will “have a separate budget for Women’s football” and “show real commitment with additional funding as well as increasing programs from FIFA to help develop female coaches and referees.” When asked how the football industry can go further to use the revenue it generates for social good, he responded: “I would increase FIFA’s Social responsibility budget to be a leader in best practices in par with major organisations.”

He also added that if elected he’d look to create scholarship programs for FAs who are in need of coaches but have difficulties covering the costs.

Unleash Football is a global collective of football fans who want the game to be a greater source for social good. As it stands though the odds are not reflecting the public’s desire for

Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is the current favourite to become the most influential person in football.

William Hill Press Officer Joe Crilly stated: “Sheikh Salman is the favourite although Gianni Infantino is confident that he will win. Whichever way you look at it, this is a two horse race and it will come down to who is able to curry the most favour in the final 24 hours.”