FIFA presidential contender Prince Ali bin al-Hussein has launched his second bid for soccer’s top office into a more crowded field.

    The Jordanian prince entered the fray Wednesday, chasing former ally Michel Platini, who is the front-runner in a muddled lineup of contenders.

    In May, only Prince Ali and Sepp Blatter were on the ballot paper as the FIFA president got a fifth term in a 133-73 vote.

    Then, four candidates were nominated by FIFA member federations, but all of Blatter’s opponents were working with Platini’s UEFA, so two withdrew to give the prince a clear run.

    Blatter’s stunning decision June 2 to step down amid corruption investigations created a rare vacancy at FIFA that many crave to fill.

    Prince Ali returns after getting votes from all six FIFA continental bodies in a dignified defeat to Blatter. He has a tough task.

    His home Asian Football Confederation backed Blatter and has now asked its voters to support Platini.

    UEFA will swing behind its leader, though it is unclear how many of the 53 European votes Prince Ali got in May despite Platini’s public opposition to Blatter.

    The prince’s comment Wednesday about others “using me to make room for themselves” clearly jibed at Platini not giving full support. Prince Ali, a FIFA vice president from 2011-15, has since distanced himself from Platini, reminding that the France great was Blatter’s protege from day one of a scandal-hit presidency in 1998.

    The prince insists he won’t do back-door deals and, as the 16-year president of the Jordan Football Association, aims to show he better understands FIFA members outside Europe’s elite. Platini was long seen as Blatter’s heir apparent and talked of a “destiny” to lead FIFA.

    (SD-Agencies)