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Luis Figo: 'Grassroots at heart of my manifesto for FIFA presidency'

Luis Figo reveals that improving grassroots football is at the "heart" of his manifesto as he officially launches his campaign for FIFA presidency.

Former Portugal international Luis Figo has revealed that grassroots football is at the "heart" of his manifesto for the FIFA presidency.

The 42-year-old, who is hoping to challenge current president Sepp Blatter for the position, officially launched his campaign at Wembley Stadium in London this morning.

Figo addressed the gathered media by saying: "Firstly, football has given me so much in my life and I now want to give something back to the game that has shaped me so deeply.

"Secondly, in recent months and years, I, like most of you in this room, have seen the image of FIFA getting deteriorated.

"I'm not the kind of man that sits beside and refuses to act. I want a new style of leadership of FIFA that can restore transparency, cooperation and solidarity."

Figo has revealed that he wants the governing body to spend 50% of its solidarity fund on football pitches, balls and kits for young boys and girls playing at grassroots level.

The retired footballer, who wants every association to increase participation by 10% over the next four years, claimed that the training that he was offered as a youngster "does not exist for most children in the world" now.

Figo has also proposed to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, with the tournament being played on two continents simultaneously.

In addition, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid player is keen to introduce sin bins for unsporting behaviour, revert to the previous definition of the offside rule where a player interfering with play is void, and discuss various options with regards to video technology.

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Picture of the logo of the Global football's governing body FIFA taken on October 3, 2013
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