Diego Maradona is planning to succeed Sepp Blatter and stand for the FIFA presidency, according to reports in South America.

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Maradona, 54, has been a fierce critic of Blatter’s, and the former Argentina captain and manager has now decided to stand himself for the position to be the most powerful man in world football, the Uruguayan broadcaster and writer Victor Hugo Morales has said.

Morales, famous for his commentary of Maradona’s astounding second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, said he had been authorised by Maradona to release the information.

Morales tweeted: “I called Diego Maradona to check on his father’s [health]. He told me that he would be a candidate for president of FIFA and that I was authorised to communicate it. I am a candidate: those were the words that DIEGO MARADONA replied when I consulted him for the nomination for the presidency of FIFA.”

In May, Maradona launched a scathing attack on Blatter saying: “Under Sepp Blatter, FIFA has become a disgrace and a painful embarrassment to those of us who care about football deeply.

“We have a dictator for life. I call Blatter ‘the man of ice’ because he lacks the inspiration and passion that are at the very heart of football. If this is the face of international football, we are in a very bad place.”

Another former player, Brazil’s Zico, has announced his candidacy as has the Liberia FA chairman Musa Bility. Most of those viewed as serious contenders are waiting until the July 20 decision on the date of the election before announcing whether to run.