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Prince Ali: Blatter playing politics with FIFA WCup slots

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ZURICH (AP) FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein claims incumbent Sepp Blatter is playing politics with a key World Cup decision.

FIFA's executive committee will give each continent its 2018 World Cup qualifying slots at a special May 30 session - the day after the election where Blatter seeks a fifth presidential term in a four-candidate contest.

FIFA vice president Prince Ali tells The Associated Press he believes the timing links an issue based on football merit to election promises.

The Jordanian prince says ''it is emblematic of what is wrong with FIFA right now.''

Prince Ali says his campaign promises will include ending FIFA's policy of paying World Cup bonuses to 209 member federations months before they elect their president.

He says guaranteeing long-term grants in advance would ''give dignity back'' to FIFA voters.

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