FIFA's reform plans were "thrown into doubt on Monday when its choice to head a task force," Swiss businessman Domenico Scala, said that he would "not take on the job unless he was guaranteed full independence," according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. Scala had been asked by "at least half of FIFA's six continental confederations to take on the role of being the task force's neutral chairman." But Scala made it clear on Monday that he was "unhappy with how events had unfolded." Scala's spokesperson said, "Domenico Scala never applied for such a chairmanship. He would consider to chair such a taskforce, only under the strict condition that independence was guaranteed." Scala had been working on reform suggestions for FIFA "before the new body was created" and had given FIFA's exec committee a "detailed briefing of his proposals last Monday." These include term limits, "enhanced integrity checks and transparency over executive salaries" (REUTERS, 7/27). The BBC reported as well as an independent chair, the taskforce will have two representatives from the Asian Football Confederation, Confederation of African Football (CAF), CONCACAF and UEFA, as well as one representative from each of CONMEBOL and the Oceania Football Confederation. In a statement, FIFA said that representatives from federations "would not necessarily" have to be "members of the football community" and the confederations could decide that themselves. Recommendations are due to be presented at the next meeting of FIFA's exec committee in Zurich on Sept. 24 and 25 (BBC, 7/27).
U.S. PROSECUTORS EYE FIFA: REUTERS' Mica Rosenberg reported U.S. prosecutors could "eventually try to impose a court-appointed monitor on FIFA" to ensure that it "cleans up its act, according to attorneys who have helped troubled companies and other entities to reform." Leading FIFA sponsors Coca-Cola Co. and Visa have joined labor union and anti-corruption groups in demanding FIFA "agree to the establishment of a fully independent reform commission." But there is little sign that Zurich-based FIFA will "voluntarily heed calls for an independent commission or major change." Legal experts say that in many other cases "outside monitors have been installed by U.S. prosecutors to clean up corruption or other bad behavior" in organizations as diverse as major banks and labor unions. Monitors can be installed "as a result of an out-of-court settlement, as part of a plea deal after an indictment, or imposed by a judge during a case" (REUTERS, 7/26).
'POKER GAME': REUTERS' Mark Gleeson reported long-serving FIFA exec committee member Michel d'Hooghe said that the race to succeed FIFA President Sepp Blatter is like a "poker game." He said, "A poker game is currently being played. I think there will be a number of candidates, one from Europe." He added that UEFA President Michel Platini "would be a good candidate" (REUTERS, 7/27).
SUPPORT FOR CENTENARIO: ESPN reported outgoing Mexico Football Federation President Justino Compean said that he backs Platini, and that Platini has given Compean assurances that the 2016 Copa América Centenario will take place in the U.S. Compean: "He [Platini] is in favor that it be played. We are working on that and all subjects related to it so that it can be played. We are hoping to iron out the details." The Copa América Centenario tournament was "jeopardized when American prosecutors alleged massive bribery" in int'l football, including a scheme linked to a $112.5M broadcasting deal for the one-off event to celebrate CONMEBOL's 100th birthday (ESPN, 7/27).
WELCOME DECISION: The AP reported FIFA has welcomed a legal win in a Belgian court which "upholds its ban on third-party investors owning players' transfer rights." The local court in Brussels "rejected legal arguments that the ban broke European Union competition laws." FIFA said that banning third-party ownership (TPO) is "indispensable for preserving clubs' and players' independence and for ensuring the integrity of
matches and competitions" (AP, 7/27).
