ZURICH (AP):

Former FIFA international relations director Jerome Champagne has confirmed his plan to challenge President Sepp Blatter in next year's election.

Champagne wrote on his campaign website yesterday that he informed FIFA's 209 member federations and the election supervisor, Domenico Scala, of his decision.

The French former diplomat launched his campaign in London in January, and said then he doubted that he could beat Blatter.

"My sincerest wish from the outset has been to present my candidacy with a desire for fair and transparent debate," Champagne wrote yesterday, proposing televised campaign events on a "global and/or continental scale."

Blatter, the president since 1998, has said he intends to announce his candidacy next week in Zurich after meeting FIFA's executive committee.

Champagne has declined to criticise Blatter publicly, and has joined his former boss in questioning the role of wealthy European football clubs and their governing body UEFA, whose president Michel Platini last month decided not to run in the FIFA election.

Candidates must have support from five FIFA member federations by late January.