Brazil great Romario to run for Brazilian Football Confederation presidency in bid to clean up widespread corruption

Romario has already taken an active role against corruption in Brazilian football after leading congressional investigations into the previous CBF regime

Romario has announced his intention to run for president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (Getty)

Former Brazil striker and 1994 World Cup champion Romario said on Tuesday he plans to run for president of the scandal-plagued Brazilian Football Confederation [CBF] on an anti-corruption platform.

Romario, 51, now a senator who has led congressional investigations into corruption in Brazilian football, announced his intentions four days after CBF President Marco Polo del Nero was suspended for 90 days by football world body Fifa.

Del Nero is being investigated in Brazil for alleged unethical conduct. He and his two predecessors, Ricardo Teixeira and Jose Maria Marin, have been charged in the United States in the biggest corruption scandal in football's history.

“No one has fought so vigorously against that gang than me, and so I am a legitimate candidate," Romario said on Instagram. "I have the qualifications for the job. My credentials are my whole contribution to soccer, on and off the field.”

He blamed former Fifa president Joao Havelange, who died last year, for installing a “system” of graft in Brazilian football and beyond.

Romario called for the prosecution of Marin, Teixeira and Del Nero at the end of a congressional inquiry he led last year into corruption in Brazilian soccer.

Romario helped Brazil win a record fourth World Cup title in 1994 in the United States.

Romario was critical of Brazilian former Fifa president Jaoa Havelange (Getty)

His popularity won him a seat as a congressman and then senator for his home state of Rio de Janeiro. He has said he plans to run for governor of Rio to reform the financially bankrupt state.

Reuters