UK pay-television broadcaster Sky and public-service broadcaster the BBC have invited the four candidates for the presidency of Fifa, world football’s governing body, to a live televised debate.
UK news agency the Press Association said Sky and the BBC have sent a letter to current incumbent Sepp Blatter saying there is “significant interest” in the debate from his rival candidates.
Blatter is attempting to secure a fifth, four-year term in office but faces rivals in the shape of Fifa vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Dutch Football Association (KNVB) president Michael van Praag and former Portugal international footballer Luis Figo.
The BBC and Sky are proposing a one-hour “fans’ congress” to be broadcast live on their globally available channels, websites and social media platform Facebook ahead of the election on May 29.
A statement from Sky said: “We believe this will present an unprecedented opportunity for the candidates to set out their plans and communicate directly with fans from around the world. We hope for a positive response from all four candidates.”
English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has offered to host the debate at Wembley Stadium in London.