The FIFA Exec Committee today set Feb. 26 "for a special election to choose a successor" for outgoing President Sepp Blatter, according to Borden & Bilefsky of the N.Y. TIMES. The Exec Committee also announced the "creation of a reform task force to discuss ways to overhaul the organization and to restore its battered image." Blatter has "repeatedly and consistently said that he will not enter the race" for President despite speculation to the contrary, and he "reiterated that stance" today. He said, "I will not be a candidate for the election in 2016." Borden & Bilefsky note now that a date has been selected, the "field of candidates will begin to take shape." UEFA President Michel Platini could be the "leading candidate" if he chooses to run. Candidates "have until Oct. 26 to be nominated" (NYTIMES.com, 7/20). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Joshua Robinson reports the group "will be presented with proposals to drastically reshape its future, including a reduction in size, more stringent eligibility criteria, and term limits for its top executives and the president." A source said that today's proposals "would seek to change the way executive committee members are chosen and to shrink their overall number." A source said that the ideal size for the committee "would be 12 people instead of the current 27." Members "would be elected by all 209 members of the FIFA Congress, rather than the confederations, and have to pass independent integrity checks." Another major issue "is the adoption of term limits." The reforms "would also include a disclosure of the salaries for FIFA’s executives." Exec Committee members "are widely believed to earn at least $200,000 per year, but FIFA doesn’t make the figures public." Any final decision on the proposed reforms "would come at its next meeting in late September" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/20).
CHANGE NEEDS TO COME: The AP's Dunbar & Harris report Prince Ali this morning joined FIFA sponsor Coca-Cola and former FIFA advisers Transparency Int'l "in calling for Blatter to be excluded from the process of shaping the organization's future." Ali, who lost the presidential election to Blatter in May, said Blatter "cannot be permitted to plan his succession and manage this election process" (AP, 7/20). REUTERS' Simon Evans reported Coca-Cola and fellow FIFA sponsor McDonald's "ratcheted up pressure" on FIFA for major reforms. Coca-Cola urged FIFA "to support the creation of an independent body to reform the way it is run." A Coca-Cola spokesperson said, "We have written to FIFA and asked them to support an independent third-party commission for reforms" (REUTERS, 7/17). The BBC's Dan Roan reported Coca-Cola wants the commission to be overseen by what it described as "one or more eminent impartial leaders to manage the efforts necessary to help reform FIFA's governance and its human rights requirements" (BBC.com, 7/17).
NO DECISION YET: The GUARDIAN's Owen Gibson reports Platini is "still weighing up whether to stand and will take further soundings at the World Cup draw in St Petersburg this weekend." Other possible candidates include Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou, former Brazil national team member Zico and FIFA anti-racism advisor and former anti-apartheid activist Tokyo Sexwale (THEGUARDIAN.com, 7/20). REUTERS' Brian Homewood cites a source as saying today that four out of six continental soccer confederations "would back" Platini to lead FIFA "should he stand." The source said that Platini "held meetings late into Sunday night at a luxury lakeside hotel in Zurich where he was repeatedly promised support" (REUTERS, 7/20).
FUNNY MONEY: BLOOMBERG's Chris Elser reports English comedian Simon Brodkin interrupted today's press conference by "throwing money around the dais." He "mentioned giving FIFA money to award the 2026 World Cup to North Korea" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 7/20). Blatter was "unharmed but looked nervous as the notes were thrown towards him" (CNN.com, 7/20).
