09.10.2015 17:57 h

Candidates vying to replace Blatter as FIFA chief

Football's sleaze-tarnished governing body FIFA faces months of turmoil over the election of a new president, after incumbent Sepp Blatter was suspended over a criminal probe.

The one-time favourite to succeed him, UEFA president Michel Platini, was also suspended by FIFA's ethics watchdog on Thursday, while another top runner was hit with a six-year ban.

Who could be in the running to take over from Blatter, who has run FIFA since 1998, at the February 26 election?

Once the clear favourite to succeed his long-time ally Blatter, the former France captain has been tarnished by his association with the veteran Swiss.

Platini had presented himself as the man to clean up FIFA, but last month he was named in the investigation into Blatter because of a $2 million (1.8 million euro) payment he received in 2011.

The 60-year-old has pledged to fight his 90-day suspension, saying the payment was legitimate, and press on with his bid for the presidency.

South Korean tycoon Chung, a FIFA vice president for 17 years until 2011, has been a fierce critic of Blatter since announcing his bid in August, saying he had "morally bankrupted" the organisation.

But he was banned on Thursday for six years for breaking rules while lobbying for South Korea's bid for the 2022 World Cup.

Chung said he will "mobilise all legal means" to fight the ban, but his bid for the presidency looks to be in serious trouble.

Jordan's Prince Ali pitched his hat into the ring last month, saying he is the only candidate with the "guts" to confront corruption in FIFA.

The 39-year-old, a half-brother of Jordan's King Abdullah II, is a former FIFA vice president who led an unsuccessful challenge as a reform candidate against Blatter for the top job in May, just two days after the arrest of seven FIFA officials in Zurich.

The prince, who has said FIFA needs "new leadership, untainted by the practices of the past", has so far not been implicated in any graft scandals at the organisation.

Like Platini, Brazilian Zico enjoys a legendary reputation as a player -- he graced three World Cups and scored 48 goals in 71 games for Brazil.

The 62-year-old, who has managed several teams including Japan and Iraq as well as latterly Indian club side Goa, announced his candidacy in June.

But he has no experience in international football administration and last month conceded he was struggling to muster the backing of five national federations, which he needs to get on the ballot paper.

Former FIFA deputy secretary general and director of international relations, Champagne tried to challenge Blatter in the May election but could not get the necessary official backing.

Champagne was once a close Blatter aide and now advises the Palestine and North Cyprus football federations.

He has said he wants more transparency and his knowledge of FIFA's power structures and diplomacy would be to his advantage, but he has yet to confirm he will run again in February.

South African anti-apartheid activist Sexwale has been touted by some as a possible outside candidate for the race.

German legend Franz Beckenbauer gave the 62-year-old his backing last month, saying he was a fresh face and had "the smell of neutrality".

But Sexwale, who spent 13 years in prison alongside Nelson Mandela and now works on the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine, said earlier this month he has still not decided if he will run.