Ginola paid to run for FIFA presidency

Former France international David Ginola's unlikely bid to "refresh football" by challenging Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency on Friday took an early twist when it emerged he was paid by a bookmaker to stand.
      
The 47-year-old revealed he was being paid 250,000 ($379,290, EUR327,297) by betting company Paddy Power to throw his hat into the ring.
      
But if he is to have his name on a ballot paper, Ginola needs the support of at least five member countries.
      
And the former Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur favourite's cause was not helped when, under questioning from journalists at a news conference in London, he was unable to name a single member of global governing body FIFA's executive committee.
      
Earlier Friday, in an appeal for public support, Ginola said on his Twitter account "I am standing for FIFA president and I need you on my team."       

"It is time that football was refreshed," Ginola told the Sun tabloid. "We have to be brave and deal with what is going on in this game we love."       

He added: "I know it will not be easy for me to be elected but I have to try. I always did my best on the pitch and I will do the same now."       

There are doubts whether Ginola will even be allowed to stand, let alone unseat Blatter.
      
Candidates must have played an active role in football administration for two of the past five years -- whether Ginola's consultancy work for French third tier club Etoile Frejus St Rafael counts is unclear.
     
They must also be nominated by five member associations, something many pundits feel Ginola has little chance of achieving.
      
However, Ginola invited fans and other groups to join 'Team Ginola', with his...