Korea's Chung Mong-joon considering FIFA Presidency challenge

Korea's FIFA Vice-President Chung Mong-joon has said that he is considering challenging Sepp Blatter for the Presidency of world-football's governing body in May next year.

Chung told last week's Leaders in Football conference in London, "I have not thought of doing so before seriously but now I will think about it.

"It's still too early to say there will be no contender next May. In order to keep a large organisation like FIFA healthy you need healthy competition."

Chung Mong-joon, who boasts a S1.5 billion personal fortune, added that this December's decision on who hosts the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 "might affect the atmosphere of the presidential election next year."

Mohamed Bin Hammam, President of the Asian Football Confederation, announced earlier this year that he was considering running for the FIFA Presidency, but later withdrew. The following sequence of events cover announcements relevant to Bin Hammam's bid:

February 2010: Mohamed Bin Hammam says he'll block Sepp Blatter's bid for a fourth term in the 2011 elections stating "FIFA needs an Asian president."
May 2010: Blatter backs Qatar's 2022 World Cup saying "I strongly feel the World Cup should come to Qatar!"
August 2010: Bin Hammam says Blatter deserves a fourth term. "I will be backing Sepp Blatter. He is my very good friend."

Blatter was elected FIFA President in 1998 and won a fierce re-election fight in 2002 before being elected unopposed in 2007.

Chung Mong-joon last year referred to Bin Hammam as being "mentally ill" and that he "represents a serious lack of transparency in football."

12th March 2010 - QATAR’S BIN HAMMAM FACES TOUGH FIGHT FOR FIFA TOP JOB