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FIFA: Middle East Emerges As Crucial In Picking Replacement For Blatter

The Middle East has emerged as "one of the sport's most powerful blocs" during Sepp Blatter's 17-year reign at FIFA, and is "likely to have a big say" in who will replace the 79-year-old Swiss, according to Patrick Johnston of REUTERS. The Middle East holds power at the 46-member Asian Football Confederation, "the third largest of FIFA's six regional bodies but boasting the biggest and fastest growing population, a dream ticket" for FIFA sponsors like Coca-Cola and adidas. The region also boasts an "abundance of sponsors willing to plough money into the sport," with Qatari finance behind European clubs Barcelona and Paris St. Germain, while the "emergence of BeIn Sports in the TV rights market has helped the money flow in many other leagues." The "power and oil wealth" is allowing the Middle East to "muscle in among the kingmakers at football's top table," once monopolized by Europe and South America. Former AFC Dir Michelle Chai, who quit after former AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam was "kicked out" in '11 for corruption, said, "I think it's political skills. Politically, the West Asians were more savvy." It is "widely accepted that Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah is the key decision maker -- and the man candidates will have to convince in return for Asia's support." His support and ability to pool votes is credited with helping Thomas Bach become president of the IOC, Shaikh Salman head the AFC and Blatter win a fifth term in office (REUTERS, 6/4). BLOOMBERG's Tariq Panja reported as the list of names being suggested as "possible replacements" for Blatter grows, "one theme is evident." All the "prospective candidates are men." Five-time FIFA Female Player of the Year Marta said that there is "no reason why a woman shouldn’t take the post for the first time." She said, "Independent to a man or woman it's about capacity. You need to have the knowledge of what needs to be done to improve the sport, so I have a preference for capability independent of whether it's a man or woman" (BLOOMBERG, 6/3).

SCALA RULES HIMSELF OUT: REUTERS' Katharina Bart reported FIFA Audit & Compliance Committee Independent Chair Domenico Scala's spokesperson said that he "has taken himself out of the running" to succeed Blatter. The spokesperson said, "He will not take on an operational role within FIFA" (REUTERS, 6/4).

TRANSPARENT DEBATE: REUTERS' Iain Axon reported former FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne has said there needs to be "transparent, democratic and meaningful debate" within football's "scandal-hit governing body," but has yet to decide whether he will "run again for the top job." Champagne: "The real question today is to do the reforms we need and to have a transparent, democratic, meaningful debate. But what will also be very important is that we need to have a debate with real issues, real debates, real program, not a long list of slogans as politically correct, empty with details" (REUTERS, 6/4). In Hong Kong, Alvin Sallay reported Hong Kong FA President Timothy Fok Tsun-ting defended his vote for Blatter, saying he had "done a lot to help smaller nations during his reign." Fok: "It had nothing to do with personalities. I know Blatter very well and Prince Ali [bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who ran against Blatter] is also a good friend. But I voted for Blatter because of what he had done for smaller federations in Asia and Africa, giving them a helping hand" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 6/4).

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