Paddy Power Backs David Ginola’s FIFA Presidency Bid

Ireland’s most famous sports betting operator Paddy Power has decided to give former Tottenham Hotspur star David Ginola a firm backing in his bid to become the new FIFA president.

The popular Frenchman has decided to challenge current chairman Sepp Blatter for the coveted role, announcing his official bid on Friday, 16th January.

Backed by Paddy Power, Ginola has launched a campaign called Team Ginola – Rebooting Football, with website teamginola.com and Twitter hashtag #TeamGinola created in the process.

The famous Irish bookmaker has also splashed out £250,000 towards the campaign costs, while football fans around the world have been asked to chip in and help the Frenchman raise £2.3 million.

Ginola also needs to receive the backing of at least five of 208 FIFA’s member associations before 29th January in order to be taken into consideration for the coveted post.

With the world’s governing body coming under severe criticism over the past few years and current chairman Sepp Blatter hardly a popular figure, Ginola and the team behind him aim to transform football and rebrand the profitable organisation.

It remains to be seen whether the former footballer and model will be able to mount a serious bid for FIFA presidency, especially with Sepp Blatter set to run for fifth term and the likes of Jerome Champagne and Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein also submitting bids.

About David Ginola

David Ginola is a famous French footballer who made a name for himself in English elite division, joining Newcastle United from Paris Saint-Germain in 1995 and going on to represent Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton.

The 47-year-old has 17 France caps and 3 goals to his name, having played for les Bleus between 1990 and 1995, while he also pursued careers in acting and modelling.

Ginola starred in several movies and appeared in ITV drama series At Home with Braithwaites, playing himself. The Frenchman also took part in numerous advertising campaigns for Morgan, Renault, L’Oreal and Ladbrokes, among others, while he acted as an ambassador for the Paris 2012 Olympic bid.

Ginola has always been a popular figure among football fans around the globe, but it remains to be seen whether he stand any chance of winning the FIFA presidential elections.