New Zealand Football confirms it will vote for Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein in FIFA's presidential election rejecting incumbent Sepp Blatter.
A number of countries have publicly stated they will not vote for Sepp Blatter. Photo: AFP
Fourteen people, including seven senior FIFA officials, were arrested on charges of racketeering, fraud and money-laundering yesterday as part of a US investigation.
The governing body is in turmoil, but the incumbent president, Sepp Blatter, is not taking responsibility.
A number of countries, including Football Federation Australia and now New Zealand Football, have publicly stated they will now vote for Mr Blatter's opponent, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein.
New Zealand Football CEO Andy Martin. Photo: Supplied
New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin is in Zurich for the election, which will be decided through votes from 209 nations.
President Mark Aspden confirmed New Zealand Football will support Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein in the FIFA Presidential Election at the world governing body's annual Congress in Zurich overnight.
Following a meeting of the New Zealand Football executive committee this afternoon in Auckland, Mr Aspden confirmed the decision to vote for the candidate from Jordan.
"Given the developments in the past 48 hours - which have been deeply distressing for all of us who love football - New Zealand Football believes substantive change is now essential within FIFA as soon as possible to repair its tarnished reputation," Mr Aspden said.
"The executive committee believes that real change can only be implemented with a new president in place, and accordingly, we have opted to support the election of Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein."
Mr Aspden said the Oceania Football Federation had no influence on their decision, and he was not bothered by any backlash for taking a stand.
He said if there was a backlash, New Zealand Football would not be the only one affected and they could live with that.
This will be reflected when the New Zealand Football delegation cast its vote overnight at the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
