London, Jan 21 (IANS) 

Former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne of France Monday announced his ambition to become the next president of the world soccer governing body.

The 55-year-old Champagne launched his bid for the FIFA presidency in a press conference in London. "I'm here to announce and launch my candidacy for the FIFA presidency in the elections in 2015," Xinhua quoted him as saying. 

Champagne, a former diplomat, worked as protocol chief when France hosted the 1998 World Cup, and joined FIFA soon after current president Sepp Blatter was elected before leaving FIFA in 2010.

The 77-year-old Blatter will end his fourth term in office in 2015 and is yet to announce whether or not he will stand again in next year's election in Zurich.

UEFA President Michel Platini, also a Frenchman, is yet to announce whether he will bid for the most powerful post in soccer world. 

By:IANS