FIFA has "postponed the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup in light of the ongoing investigations into the award of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments," according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke "confirmed the move" at a press conference in Russia, saying that it would be "'nonsense' to begin the process in the current climate." Amid the crisis caused by U.S. charges against 14 football officials and guilty pleas, FIFA "decided that bidders from any confederation except Asia could bid for the 2026 tournament and that a decision would be made by the 209 member associations" in May '17 (GUARDIAN, 6/10). The BBC reported speaking in the Russian city of Samara, Valcke also defended FIFA's handling of a $10M payment from the South African government toward a Caribbean diaspora legacy program. U.S. prosecutors alleged that the payment was a "bribe to help secure the 2010 World Cup for South Africa." Valcke said, "It was not FIFA's money. It was a request from official South African authorities and the South African Football Association. As long as it is in line with rules we do it" (BBC, 6/10). REUTERS' Gabriela Baczynska wrote Valcke "acknowledged on Wednesday signing off" on $10M in bank transactions at the center of an FBI investigation. At times "stuttering as he tried to control his frustration," Valcke said that he had been "destroyed" by media in his native France since the start of the FBI corruption probe at FIFA. Although he signed off on the payments, he "denied having any other role." He said, "I am signing contracts every day ... everything has the signature of the secretary general. ... It's not because I am signing everything that I am responsible for the way people are acting all around the world." Taking up his pen and waving it in front of the reporters, he "appeared close to losing patience." Valcke: "What do you want me to add? You want me to take this pen and to hit my head and say 'Hey! I have been stupid, I should have asked many more questions?' What questions? I think this is too much now" (REUTERS, 6/10).
PLANS TAKING SHAPE: The BBC's Richard Conway reported Sepp Blatter's 17-year reign as boss of crisis-hit FIFA "could come to an end" on Dec. 16. That is the likely date for an "emergency meeting in Zurich to decide his successor." Representatives from all 209 member associations will be "invited to the Swiss city to vote in a new presidential election." There is a long list of potential successors for Blatter. Among the possible candidates is Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, who lost out to Blatter in last month's election (BBC, 6/10). In London, Ben Rumsby wrote an extraordinary congress to elect Blatter's successor was "slated to be held any time between December and March." It was not scheduled to meet until the end of September but FIFA "confirmed on Wednesday an extraordinary meeting would be held next month." That is important because presidential candidates need to "submit their candidacy four months prior to the election." Prince Ali, who lost out to Blatter in the election, is "tipped as a possible candidate" while Chung Mong-joon, the billionaire scion of South Korea's Hyundai conglomerate, is also "weighing up a bid" to replace Blatter (TELEGRAPH, 6/10). ESPN reported former ManU Manager Alex Ferguson believes that former ManU CEO David Gill is the man to "rebuild FIFA." Ferguson: "David's just what's needed to repair the damage done to world football with the recent allegations of bribery and corruption. Without question he is the best football administrator in Britain. ... He is honest, straightforward and has a vast knowledge of football." Gill, 57, is "reluctant to put himself forward as a candidate for the new president" (ESPN, 6/10).
RAIDS CONTINUE: INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL's Samindra Kunti wrote Swiss authorities have "raided the offices of Switzerland-based sports rights agency Kentaro," investigating the relationship between a '10 Brazil-Argentina friendly and the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid contests. Kentaro was, until recently, the agency responsible for marketing the Brazilian national team's friendly fixtures. On Nov. 17, 2010 Doha's Khalifa Int'l stadium was the "scene of a prestigious friendly" between South American teams Brazil and Argentina. The match "brought two of the world's most iconic teams to Qatar prior to the vote for the 2022 World Cup hosting." The implication is that the match "may have swayed then FIFA executive members Ricardo Teixeira and Julio Grondona to pledge their vote to the tiny oil state" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 6/10).
MOUTH SHUT: The AP's Jerome Pugmire reported UEFA President Michel Platini opened his first news conference since Blatter announced his decision to resign by saying that he "would not talk about FIFA." Platini "spoke Wednesday after meeting with French President Francois Hollande." Platini: "This news conference was scheduled way before recent events involving FIFA. Many of you have come here to question me about these events, about FIFA and about my future. ... I will do that when the time is right. But this is not the time or place" (AP, 6/10).
