(CNN) -- Champagne, Pele and FIFA. It sounds just like another soiree for those who run international football. 

Yet it's fundamentally different this time for the Champagne in question is a certain Jerome, the 55-year-old who launched his campaign to dethrone FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday. 

Once one of Blatter's closest allies following his work as FIFA's deputy Secretary General between 2002 and 2005, the former diplomat is now eying the top job itself ahead of the presidential elections in June 2015. 

He is the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring, although both Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini are also expected to stand -- albeit without declaring their intentions yet. 

Adding sparkle and fizz to the opening of Champagne's campaign was the backing of former Brazil star Pele. 

"I cannot stay away from a debate which is so important for the future of football and thus, I support Jerome Champagne and his vision," the 73-year-old said in a video message. 

Pele said that the pair became friends when he was Brazil's Minister of Sport and Champagne was working at the French Embassy in Brazil. 

However, Champagne -- who worked at FIFA for 11 years before leaving football's world governing body in 2010 -- chose London and the site where the English FA, the planet's oldest, was founded in 1863 to launch his bid. 

Image Problem 

In a wide-ranging reform program, the Frenchman outlined his support for greater use of technology in football, a desire to see orange cards and the use of a sinbin to be used between a yellow and red card while also calling for more transparency in the running of FIFA. 
who is supporting Champagne?
who is Pele?
How long has Champagne worked for FIFA?
When did he leave?
where is he from?
was Blatter in FIFA?
What position?
when was this?
who is UEFA president?
how old is Pele?
who was Brazil's Minister of sports?
why can't he stay away from the debate?
who does Champagne want to take over from?
is Sepp going to stand?
has he said he will?
How old is Jerome?
what was Champagne doing when he met Pele?
where?
did Pele talk about his support on phone?
then?
Pele
 Pele
former Brazil star
former Brazil star
11 years
11 years
2010
2010
France
Frenchman
Yes
Blatter's closest allies following his work as FIFA's deputy Secretary General
deputy Secretary General
 deputy Secretary General
between 2002 and 2005
between 2002 and 2005
Michel Platini
Michel Platini 
73
73
Pele
Pele 
it is important for the future of football
is so important for the future of football
Sepp Blatter
 Sepp Blatter 
Yes
both Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini are also expected to stand 
No
albeit without declaring their intentions yet. 
55
 55
he was working at the French Embassy
was working at the French Embassy
in Brazil
in Brazil
no
the 73-year-old said in a video message. 
in a video message
in a video message