Rai supports Leonardo's candidacy for CBF president

Rio de Janeiro, March 31 (IANS) Rai, Brazilian soccer star and brother of recently deceased soccer legend Socrates, declared his support for Leonardo to become the next president of the Brazilian Confederation of Soccer(CBF).

Member of Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning team, Rai stated Friday that he has no interest in becoming the next president of the CBF. However, he gave his full support to Leonardo.

Leonardo, currently the head coach of France's Paris Saint-Germain, displayed an interest in assuming the presidency of the CBF. He stated it would be something he would accept, but something that he would not be candidate for, Xinhua reported.

Leonardo appears as the second contender to assume the CBF in 2015. Ronaldo first demonstrated his interest in the post, claiming that his experience as the president of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will train him for the job. Ronaldo was also a member of the 1994 team, but distinguishes himself as winning the 2002 World Cup as well.

Jose Maria Marin took over as president of the CBF after Ricardo Teixeira recently stepped down after multiple charges of corruption. Marin's term will expire in 2015, giving way to a new generation, something Brazilians have demanded for years.

For most Brazilians, and former players such as Romario, the CBF is synonymous with corruption. Romario celebrated Teixeira's decision to quit, describing it as "the removal of a cancer" in Brazilian soccer.