Zico considering bid for FIFA president

RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil midfielder Zico said Wednesday he is considering running for the soon-to-be vacant position as FIFA president.

The 62-year-old, who is currently coaching FC Goa in the Indian Premier League, used his Facebook page to express interest in football's top job.

"I think football comes before politics," he said. "I don't have support yet, but if it's open (to anyone), I can become a candidate. It's still an idea. Who knows?"

Others expected to vie for the position include Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, European football chief Michel Platini and former Real Madrid star Luis Figo.

Current FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced on Tuesday he would step down from the position this year amid a US probe into claims of widespread graft in football.

Blatter, who was re-elected for a fifth four-year term last Friday, said he "no longer had a mandate from the entire world of football" to lead the organization.

He added that an extraordinary meeting of FIFA's executive committee would be held to determine when a new election is held.

The 79-year-old Swiss has denied having any knowledge of corruption at FIFA.