The Jordanian crown prince, one of five candidates seeking to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said the February 26 election represented FIFA’s one chance to restore football’s tarnished reputation.

He called for a more transparent world governing body, reiterating his criticism of a development deal between the Asian and African confederations that he sees as creating a voting bloc for one of his rivals.

“It’s very obvious with the timing that, for whatever reason, it’s wrong to be making these sorts of deals,” he told reporters in Auckland.

However, Prince Ali said his campaign was still gaining momentum as he criss-crosses the globe shoring up support.

He secured votes from 73 of FIFA’s 209 member associations during a failed attempt to topple Blatter last year and said his numbers had since improved.

“I can tell you from my side that I’m fully confident I will win this if things are conducted properly,” he said.

“I think around the (footballing) world that a weight has been taken off people’s shoulders, they want to be proud of being part of this organisation again.

“Without going into specifics, I’m building on what I had the last time around.”

Blatter and FIFA vice-president Michel Platini were suspended for eight years last month over irregular payments, while a US inquiry which has left 39 individuals and two companies facing charges over bribes for football deals.