Fifa president bid: Diego Maradona wants to replace Sepp Blatter claims Victor Hugo Morales

Diego Maradona intends to put his name forward as a prospective candidate to replace outgoing Fifa president Sepp Blatter, according to claims made by Uruguayan journalist and former co-host Victor Hugo Morales.

Despite dismissing the challenge of Prince Ali bin Hussein and securing re-election for a fifth term at the helm of world football's governing body at their annual congress in Zurich at the end of May, Blatter has since confirmed his intention to resign in the aftermath of an ongoing scandal that has seen accusations of widespread bribery and corruption levelled against several officials.

Former Brazil international Zico and Musa Bility, chairman of the Liberian Football Association, are the only two people to have confirmed their intentions to run for the post so far, although it seems as if Maradona is now keen to mount his own challenge.

"He [Maradona] told me he was going to run for president of Fifa and authorised me to inform," Morales tweeted, as reported by Reuters.

"'I am a candidate' were the words Diego Maradona used to answer me when I consulted him about the nomination for the presidency of Fifa."

Blatter will remain as president until the date for a new election, potentially slated for December, is confirmed at a meeting of Fifa's executive committee in July.

Earlier in June, the BBC cited an unnamed source close to Blatter who suggested the 79-year-old could be open to the possibility of staying on if no suitable candidate emerges over the coming months.